On a recent trip to PlayNTrade, I spotted a used copy of Alien Hominid for Gamecube. I watched closely after the game’s announcement, and always intended to pick the game up, but never quite got around to it. The only copy they had was, sadly, missing the instruction manual. A small amount of hesitation later, I bought it anyway, thinking I’d look into ways to complete it later.

The first thing I do in situations like these is write an email to the developer or publisher. The second thing I do is try not to hold my breath for a response. You see, it seems that in many cases, if you’re a game developer and someone sends you an email asking if they can buy something from you that isn’t listed for sale on your site, the standard response is to ignore that email. It’s a sad fact of these things that, aside from the cool people at Atlus and Renegade Kid and a few others, these people are just too busy to talk to their customers. Heck, even Konami takes the time to send me the same email about knowing nothing about what I’m talking about every time I email them.

Add developer The Behemoth to the short list of developers who will talk to their customers. Then add them to that other list you keep close at hand. That would be the list of developers who will go out of their way to be awesome.

Here is our exchange as it happened.

Hi there,

I managed to find a used copy of Alien Hominid for Gamecube (at last) and have been enjoying it a great deal. Unfortunately, the fool who traded it in didn’t supply the instruction manual. I see you don’t have any copies of the game available for sale anymore, but do you have any extra manuals for the Gamecube version lying around I might purchase from you?

Thanks!

Stephen Munn
Aeropause

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Hi Stephen,

I think we can dig one up for you! I’ll see if we have some sort of digital version, otherwise you could send us a self addressed stamped envelope and we’ll send you one. Our address is [address omitted]

love,
The Behemoth

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Thanks very much! I’ll get that envelope out to you right away.

Stephen Munn
Aeropause

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And then, a short time later, I received my instruction manual, along with a letter, the text of which follows.

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Dear Stephen,

Enclosed is an instruction manual for Alien Hominid for the Gamecube. May you use it to violently destroy many nefarious FBI agents and help out our little yellow friend. Have fun!!

Hugs,

[name omitted]
Mayor of Behemothtown
The Behemoth

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So here you have a company that not only responded to my email but sent me an instruction manual for the game without charging me for it. The only cost to me was two envelopes and three stamps. On top of all this, they did it with such a great sense of style (Love? Hugs? Mayor of Behemothtown?) that just fits perfectly with the style that all their work seems to show.

Bravo. Now if only we could get their more recent games on more platforms than just that pesky Xbox 360, all would be well.