Release a demo or not?

[mike_bike_kite]

I'm new to releasing games on Steam. I'd like to have a demo of the game (limited by time) as well as the full game. The obvious benefit to me is that users can see what the game's about and quickly decide if they like it or not before hopefully buying. Another benefit to me is that, as a (very) small Indie developer, I can't test on all hardware so the demo would allow the user to check everything works perfectly for them before buying.

The problem is, I see very few demos around and other developers seem to be saying that users either find an issue and never come back or just end up playing the demo rather than ever buying the full game.

Are demos still valid? Do they hurt sales? Does the Steam API even allow you to see if the user has paid for a game or is just demoing it?

[Zekiran]

Demos are great for very large-scale game releases, but I would suggest that early access might be better for you - or a specific private demo / beta for bug testing or system testing.

I don't know about how to put a game on Steam but I've been here a long, long time, and see enough threads about such things to know, your instinct is pretty on the money there - demos... are okay in some cases, not so much in others, and users are fickle beasts indeed.

[Start_Running]

The other developers are right. Demos are an issue. There are 9 possible outcomes and only 2 of them are a gain...and even then only marginally.

Make a bad or miodocre demo and people will likely avoid the game . Make a godo demo and people may decide to just keep playing the demo.

Demos are still valid, but only in very specific circumstances. Like when your game is a unique genre blend, or includes some new mechanical or a novel reworking of a common mechanic, or genre.

If your game isn't doing one of thiose things then a demo is oprobably not the best promotional avenyue. You'd be better off doing a few gameplay trailers.

[Black Blade]

Users can do a refund if the game is not working on their system so you don't have to be too worried about it
You can put the specs a little over to just cover the chance of it not working

Steamworks as much as I am aware do not offer a system to stop the game after a while or the like so if you want to provide that you will have to stop the game your self inside the demo when relating it

Overall in my own opinion demos are normally not so good for the developer, the out come is not likely to be good
But if someone is going to try to pull out a demo I think something like the way The Stanley Parable is one of the best if it's possible, as it gives a taste of the full game, but not really gives you too much, so it leaves a lot to find and enjoy from the full game (Obviously its more work as it's like making a little mini-game of the game)

Overall today users have videos on YouTube (that you may want to encourage possibly maybe by suggesting for the users to do so or asking them to tag and share videos) and they can read reviews from the store page, that overall I think do give you a good sales with less work over all then a demo
in the end, it really depends on your game, you can also use users feedback to find out if the specs you put are good and the like

If you do want to give a demo as part of testing the ability to run I think maybe you can try to make a small area (hard to say as don't know what game this is) with maybe mostly the base hook of your game, and just run some load in the back that should compere to your heaviest part of the game more or less

TL:DR demos are good for some games in cases, but can be really bad in others

[tacticalnuke]

Depends on how confident the game developer is.
Do they like a little gamble ;) or are they a little chicken ;)

Demos are a brilliant way of gamers test driving a game. If the game is good people tend to buy them, especially when they add in online mutliplayer, game patches, updated content etc.

No demo means your gambling on that game dev studio. Just because a game has a brilliant rating may not mean you like it.

The steam demo promotion earlier in the year highlighted a lot of games in development that I would and will buy when released.

Demos though have a bit of am image problem that needs corrected first. Devs need to build up that games released on a fixed date but the demo is released a bit earlier. Some devs in the past used demos as a tool for feedback on what needs corrected in there game. Not sure they do that now.

It also showed me a lot of games I have no need for and seem way over rated.

[J4MESOX4D]

Originally posted by mike_bike_kite:

The problem is, I see very few demos around and other developers seem to be saying that users either find an issue and never come back or just end up playing the demo rather than ever buying the full game.

Are demos still valid?

There has been a couple of indie events this year on Steam focused purely on demos - literally new/upcoming games and hundreds of demos made available.

They are definitely still valid and if you are confident in your game then it can be very advantageous especially if there is another indie-type festival where demos are showcased.

[Falsus Te Deum]

I would suggest making a prolouge, with the game mechanics but not of the actual game. Then the gamers will have a feel of the game mechanics, thematics of the game and so on.
Then they will have a understanding of the coming game if it is for them or not.

Some gamers will still complain however you do it.
Prolouges is more newish, but serve the same as a straight demo (In my opinion).

It will be more work, but so is a well made demo.

[cSg|mc-Hotsauce]

Valve is really pushing for more devs to make demos...

https://steamcommunity.com/groups/steamworks/announcements/detail/2763474378288660647

https://steamcommunity.com/groups/steamworks/announcements/detail/4227144896738094211

You should also post a discussion in the Steamworks group about this...

https://steamcommunity.com/groups/steamworks/discussions

[CoolExGames]

ok. i slowly get it. you can squeeze more sales by not showing a demo. well. in my case my game is a bit special and experimental and a demo will be very helpful for the players. not much of the full game. just enough to show the special mechanics. it will be more honest towards the players.

[ペンギン]

There was a time when demos were standard. The fact that Valve wants to encourage developers to add demos again is sad enough.

No demo? Customers buy the cat in the bag

Usual behaviour of (many) devs and publishers around here? No demo, no contact, no website, outsourced news, third party integrations, no support, no understanding of correct customer information, hidden and/or private profiles. Unfortunately a very one sided story.

It's as always...depends on the view of things ~ It depends on what you want as developer and should take into account and weigh consequences on both sides and a product demo is an alternative way to deal correct with (ongoing) customers.

[cSg|mc-Hotsauce]

The next Game (Demo) Festival is on Feb 3rd...

https://steamcommunity.com/groups/steamworks/announcements/detail/2924487488182153400