I read that there were Hint books for these games. I was wondering if GOG would ever add pdf copies of them as bonus content.

Looking at my game library, it says that there is a manual for the game as a download, could that be the hint book you are talking about?

Unless the hint books are the GameFAQs walkthroughs, I do not think that we get them.

The manuals given are just the little book with the game information inside. The hint books are described as "The Hint Book gives a walkthrough of the main quests to complete the game. It gives hints for minor side quests and the general locations of items that will be useful. It does provide annotated maps of most of the zones to help you understand how to go through the major areas. There is also a world map.

Each zone has a brief description of what to do, quests, and items of note that you should find. These items are usually very useful to fulfill quests or make it easier to get through areas. Like spore batons to disarm some mines."

I once contacted the designer/publisher about them. You have to purchase them directly from Spiderweb. They are sent via old fashioned snail mail. No PDF's, only hard copies (I asked). I even offered to pay more for the PDF's! Mind you, this was a few months ago, perhaps given the new interest in the game they have changed their minds about PDF's?

When in doubt, contact Spiderweb.

Since they're hard copy I kind of wonder if they are worth getting... seems like a nice souvenir to have.

well, I decided to order the books. I've really enjoyed the series and am hoping this new information will make the games even more enjoyable.

I picked up the series when they were on sale.

Wonder if they'd post to the UK

They do have pdf hint books. But i think they are only for the newer games. i.e. Geneforge5, avernum escape from pit and avadon.

in fact, after you buy, they send you an ftp address to download ;)

There was a Humble Bundle with all the Spiderweb games including PDF hint books. So they do exist, not just physical copies of the books. GOG needs to include these as a bonus.

*edit*
Just wanted to add, the PDF's are for every game they have made, not just the newer ones.

They appear to be selling the pdf versions on their site now- horribly overpriced though. . .

- Ryan Paul Fialcowitz

They were available as part of one of the Bundle Sales a few months back.

I can confirm receiving PDF copies of hint books for Geneforge 4 & 5 when buying the series elsewhere (IndieGameStand maybe?). I was very surprised to see that GOG does not include them.

Edit: In fact, it looks like I also have hint books for all Spiderweb games from a Humble Bundle.

The books are around 40 pages each, with walkthroughs, maps and cheat codes.
I created a site features wishlist entry for this for everyone to vote on.

Voted !

There are PDF versions of all 5 hint books, I have these from a Humble Weekly sale with most Spiderweb games and much bonus material (some more than GOG has). Was enough for me then to buy it again.