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- Aug 20, 2006
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While the majority of publishers and developers no longer care about demos, this author believes they are still relevant and points out a potentially viable alternative from the folks behind Prison Architect, who designed their mobile version of the game so it is free to play up to a certain point: gamers who like it may simply pay the full price to get access to the rest of the content. This would be a practical way for anyone to test a title out, and the writer suggests that publishers wouldn’t lose anything from those who decline to pay. Unfortunately, this would mean that companies would get absolutely no money from me, since I have a short attention span and barely bother beyond the first level of a game. What’s wrong with Steam refunds, anyway?
For publishers and developers, demos put a game in front of more players on launch day, provides them with additional information on how their game is being played and received, and can increase interest in their games even if not everyone who tries them, buys them. They can even get more technical feedback if their game is having problems on launch day. For players, they're given a chance to sample more new games, to properly try before they buy, and less incentive to abuse Steam's refund policy or wait months for a sale. PC demos are good for everyone, and it's time for them to make a comeback.
For publishers and developers, demos put a game in front of more players on launch day, provides them with additional information on how their game is being played and received, and can increase interest in their games even if not everyone who tries them, buys them. They can even get more technical feedback if their game is having problems on launch day. For players, they're given a chance to sample more new games, to properly try before they buy, and less incentive to abuse Steam's refund policy or wait months for a sale. PC demos are good for everyone, and it's time for them to make a comeback.