Game Demos can cut sales in half
SentrySteve
.txt Join Date: 2002-03-09 Member: 290Members, Constellation
.txt Join Date: 2002-03-09 Member: 290Members, Constellation
in Off-Topic
http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/02/11/jesse-schell-releasing-a-game-demo-can-cut-sales-in-half
I thought this article was pretty interesting. A few months (or maybe years) back I remember a discussion on these forums about how demos are basically gone. A few games have them, now and then, but not like how things were 10/15 years ago. At the time, I thought that sucked and that more companies should put demos out but I never put much effort into considering the cost, time, and stress of making a demo.
As a gamer, I can't actually remember a time where I played a demo and then bought the game. Generally, I look into a game and determine if I will like it without actually playing.
There have been multiple occasions, though, where playing a demo or early release copy (like pre-ordering over Steam) turned my opinion around. In the case of pre-ordering on Steam, I would get refunds (Global Agenda and that Aliens vs Predator game).
Jesse Schell basically recommends hyping the game, create amazing promotional materials, and overall raising expectations whenever possible.
To be honest, not sure how I feel about it. Obviously we wouldn't want companies 'tricking' people into buying bad games but at the same time I understand the risk of releasing even a demo that's considered 'good.'
Your thoughts, NSOT?
I thought this article was pretty interesting. A few months (or maybe years) back I remember a discussion on these forums about how demos are basically gone. A few games have them, now and then, but not like how things were 10/15 years ago. At the time, I thought that sucked and that more companies should put demos out but I never put much effort into considering the cost, time, and stress of making a demo.
As a gamer, I can't actually remember a time where I played a demo and then bought the game. Generally, I look into a game and determine if I will like it without actually playing.
There have been multiple occasions, though, where playing a demo or early release copy (like pre-ordering over Steam) turned my opinion around. In the case of pre-ordering on Steam, I would get refunds (Global Agenda and that Aliens vs Predator game).
Jesse Schell basically recommends hyping the game, create amazing promotional materials, and overall raising expectations whenever possible.
To be honest, not sure how I feel about it. Obviously we wouldn't want companies 'tricking' people into buying bad games but at the same time I understand the risk of releasing even a demo that's considered 'good.'
Your thoughts, NSOT?
Comments
On the other side of that though I think many of our future titles will be free-to-play models. Even now I have put a few bucks into Firefall, contemplating Neverwinter (to get into beta) and Marvel Heroes (in this beta already). The 20$ spent on firefall was well worth it even if i never touch it again. Not to mention the >60$ i have put into League of Legends.
And that's the point, people will spend money on a good product above and beyond what you would ask for on box.
But more on topic, most games recently abuse that "open beta" tag, where it's more of a demo, to get people into their game. Sometimes it works (see Path of Exiles recent popularity explosion, fantastic game btw) and sometimes it fails.
The solution would be to spend more time preparing demos, crafting them to entice people. Leave them hugry for the full game by teasing more features or hidden depths.
--Scythe--
Not many people think for themselves anymore.
most games are not worth a penny anymore...
I disagree. The gaming communities' bullshit detector is pretty good these days. When a game sucks, it's apparent. Look at Diablo 3. No amount of PR spin could polish that turd. They got record sales on the franchise name alone and basically sullied the name with a terrible game.
That's why Path of Exile is so impressive. Their "free to play" and current "open beta" model made me buy a supporter pack AFTER I played it and saw what a great game it is. There is such community support for that game already because of the devs' approach and their support their gamers. I feel like they understand that its the community that will make their game even better; not the other way around.
Unfortunately, NS2 seems to fall toward the D3 side of the "is this game good" spectrum. The forums here have the same "please fix this" or "wtf why isn't this balanced" feel that D3 has.
I saw Charlie once say that armories should heal armor no matter what because it's not intuitive for the new player to understand why he can't get back to full. If a hive heals you full on aliens, then so should an armory on marines. I couldn't imagine a POE dev saying something as blindingly stupid and close minded as this about their gameplay mechanics. Makes me what to uninstall NS2 tbh.
Back to your topic kinda:
I bought a constellation icon in support of NS1 3.x after I enjoyed it so much and I feel very good about that purchase.
I preordered the black armor for NS2 and do I feel good about that one right now: not really.
Aliens: Colonial Marines is just about to prove you wrong. Big Hype, many pre orders and now look at it.
Welcome to the industrialization of game development. I mean, this has happened for every other type of main-stream entertainment industry... movies, music, television...
As my drama teacher put:
Only problem I have with it is that the crap games are more successful, monetary-wise. And that just isn't fair.
[edit]
Wow that came out way more cynical then I intended it to be
I was inclined to purchase more than a few shareware games because of being able to play the first couple levels
That's hipster talk!
/hipster