Demo should be mandatory to every game on Steam

[۞PReTo۞]

Every game on Steam should have a Demo version, putting a Demo means you really trust your game will convince people to buy and not sell it blind just because it's cheap or have big name.

Im posting this regarding some indie pixelated game, which sounds pretty fun but no Demo at all, I dont even know if it runs high resolution and widescreen. Shame on the developers.

[awesomepossum]

most game companys do not even consider producing demos anymore, it costs allot of money to release out demo's, and with so many people making high quality reviews there is no real reason... + u can just easly pirate any game and use that as a demo... i pirate 80% of my games before i pay for them..

-edit, and asking indie developers that are usally like 1-3 people made games to then butcher down there game to release a demo for something that probly costs under 10 dollars anyway is kind of insane... lol.. most of those peoples games are probly programmed in such a way, releaseing a less-content version would probly breake the entire game lol..

[stepheng19]

In other words, you couldn't be bothered to look up some gameplay videos for yourself, or watch Let's Play videos on YouTube? Not every game, especially shorter ones, will have a demo, but there's other ways to determine whether you'll like a game.

You can also, y'know, discuss the game with other people on forums.

[ItzHawkie]

i agree and think most games should realese demo's instead of wating money on advertisements publishers should put that towards getting a demo out so.
1. people can see if the game runs
2. so people can make sure its a fun game
and 3. a demo is the best form of advertisement all the videos in the world wouldnt have convinced me to buy xcom EU but the demo sold it to me.

and these are just my thought on the subject

[۞PReTo۞]

Opprinnelig skrevet av Stephenizer:

In other words, you couldn't be bothered to look up some gameplay videos for yourself, or watch Let's Play videos on YouTube? Not every game, especially shorter ones, will have a demo, but there's other ways to determine whether you'll like a game.

You can also, y'know, discuss the game with other people on forums.

Nothing beats playing the game.

[stepheng19]

Opprinnelig skrevet av Undersky:

Opprinnelig skrevet av Stephenizer:

In other words, you couldn't be bothered to look up some gameplay videos for yourself, or watch Let's Play videos on YouTube? Not every game, especially shorter ones, will have a demo, but there's other ways to determine whether you'll like a game.

You can also, y'know, discuss the game with other people on forums.

Nothing beats playing the game.

Just because it's the best option doesn't mean it's the only option, and the "problem" you stated in the opening post has nothing to do with you being able to personally try out the game.

Adding a demo can be a lot more work than it seems, especially for indie developers, which seems to be your main gripe.

[۞PReTo۞]

Opprinnelig skrevet av Stephenizer:

Opprinnelig skrevet av Undersky:

Opprinnelig skrevet av Stephenizer:

In other words, you couldn't be bothered to look up some gameplay videos for yourself, or watch Let's Play videos on YouTube? Not every game, especially shorter ones, will have a demo, but there's other ways to determine whether you'll like a game.

You can also, y'know, discuss the game with other people on forums.

Nothing beats playing the game.

Just because it's the best option doesn't mean it's the only option, and the "problem" you stated in the opening post has nothing to do with you being able to personally try out the game.

Adding a demo can be a lot more work than it seems, especially for indie developers, which seems to be your main gripe.

What?

[Tricks]

Demos would be nice.

Though I've had plenty of times where I played a demo, bought the game because of it, then didn't like the game.

But it would help you avoid the ones that are complete crap. Maybe that's why they don't make demos much anymore, neh? Makes you think. Nope, they'd rather you bought it before you found out how ♥♥♥♥♥ it is.

[Mivo]

Opprinnelig skrevet av Undersky:

Nothing beats playing the game.

Demos rarely represent a game properly. Plus, they are typically dated because the code base is different and many studios do not have the resources to maintain and regularly update a demo.

There are products were "demos" work well, like the previews for ebooks in the iBook's store (basically 5-10% of the book), or the food samples in supermarkets. For games, this is different.

[Aidan]

Strangely, demos actually have a tendancy to reduce sales, not increase them, so it makes sense that a lot of developers just don't bother. See this video for an explaination of why:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QM6LoaqEnY

[EXE]

I don't really miss demos. I feel like I can still gauge the quality of a game based on reviews and gameplay videos. Big name games rarely have demos anymore. Mass Effect 3 is an exception.

[HuggyDeathBunny🐰💀]

Wow old post, but I've been ranting about this a lot over the years, and recently have noticed a trend for Demo's to be removed AFTER release of the full game.

I agree wholeheartedly, Demo's should be REQUIRED for all Steam Games.

Essentially, we kind of have this in the Steam Refund now, but this in itself is flawed as if you buy today...and only get to play in 2 weeks time...(yknow...life), while almost every new release these days is plagued with bugs and online service downtime...your 4 hours limit can disappear just as quickly!


I think its brave and shows confidence in your product to allow Demos. I've decided against many games this way, but have decided FOR so many I'd not have even bothered with as well! My favourite has to be Demo designed levels, specifically showcasing and limiting play. But a time locked variation works great on certain games especially RTS.

[Princess Luna]

Not gonna happen.

[__++__==]

Opprinnelig skrevet av stepheng19:

In other words, you couldn't be bothered to look up some gameplay videos for yourself, or watch Let's Play videos on YouTube? Not every game, especially shorter ones, will have a demo, but there's other ways to determine whether you'll like a game.

You can also, y'know, discuss the game with other people on forums.

Watching someone else play is not equivalent to playing the game yourself.

[Komarimaru]

That necro. Lock incoming. lol

[Rin]

Wow, 12 years must be a new record. Oldest I've seen was 9.

Besides, it's been proven plenty of times that demos lower profits because they are often enough for some people to get their fix. You see this same type of behavior in f2p games.

And then people wonder...