Demo?

Matrix Games Forums

Forums Register Login Photo Gallery Member List Search Calendars FAQ

My Profile Inbox Address Book My Subscription My Forums Log Out

Demo?

View related threads: (in this forum | in all forums)

Logged in as: Guest

Users viewing this topic: none

Printable Version

All Forums >> [New Releases from Matrix Games] >> Distant Worlds 1 Series >> Demo?

Page: [1]

Message

<< Older Topic Newer Topic >>

Demo? - 3/27/2010 12:26:58 PM

Impact1986

Posts: 19
Joined: 3/27/2010
Status: offline

Is there a way to test the game, and see if I like it?

I already made a mistake with Armada 2526, which had many bugs and I couldnt even save my game. I played a short game of it anyway and found the overall design to be bad...

And 30 euros is much money for someone who barely manages to survive a month (I am a student). I can buy food lasting a week for this money.

I would gratefully buy this game for this money, but I dont want to be disappointed again.

Post #: 1

RE: Demo? - 3/27/2010 12:27:52 PM

Deto

Posts: 105
Joined: 2/15/2010
Status: offline

If you're really a student, you can buy food for month with that money, unless you really need that caviar!

and no demo :)

(in reply to Impact1986)

Post #: 2

RE: Demo? - 3/27/2010 12:38:38 PM

incbob

Posts: 727
Joined: 6/23/2004
From: Columbia, Missouri
Status: offline

As was said not Demo.

However, there are several videos and you can continue to read the threads here to see what you think.

(in reply to Deto)

Post #: 3

RE: Demo? - 3/27/2010 1:06:02 PM

adamsolo

Posts: 144
Joined: 12/31/2009
Status: offline

Don't quite understand (although I suspect why) companies don't publish demos these days. The same happened for Armada 2526, the same seems to happen for Distant Worlds.

If the devolopers and publishers are confident about their products they should let people try them out before buying. The demo does not need to be extensive nor feature-complete, a dozen turns or an half-an-hour try should suffice.

I guess people's last resort will be to wait for the reviews. I'll be writing my own in a week or so, so stay tuned.

_____________________________

SpaceSector.com
Your source for Space & Sci-Fi Strategy Games

(in reply to incbob)

Post #: 4

RE: Demo? - 3/27/2010 10:19:50 PM

Arctic Blast

Posts: 1168
Joined: 4/4/2007
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: adamsolo

Don't quite understand (although I suspect why) companies don't publish demos these days. The same happened for Armada 2526, the same seems to happen for Distant Worlds.

If the devolopers and publishers are confident about their products they should let people try them out before buying. The demo does not need to be extensive nor feature-complete, a dozen turns or an half-an-hour try should suffice.

I guess people's last resort will be to wait for the reviews. I'll be writing my own in a week or so, so stay tuned.

Would a half hour really be sufficient for someone to really get an idea of how a game this big plays, though? Probably not. In fact, it would probably make the game seem rather limited, as most people wouldn't see more than 5% of what the game actually offers in that time.

_____________________________

Meditation on inevitable death should be performed daily.

(in reply to adamsolo)

Post #: 5

RE: Demo? - 3/27/2010 11:09:26 PM

adamsolo

Posts: 144
Joined: 12/31/2009
Status: offline

Make it a couple of days then, or 3 plays, whatever. A limited time feature-locked version of the game (maybe a tutorial). These days not having a demo seems to start becoming "normal" which in my opinion has nothing of normal at all.

In my opinion it would be better for business if the publishers release demos for the games, because people would try them out, get hooked and buy the game.

< Message edited by adamsolo -- 3/27/2010 11:36:21 PM >

_____________________________

SpaceSector.com
Your source for Space & Sci-Fi Strategy Games

(in reply to Arctic Blast)

Post #: 6

RE: Demo? - 3/28/2010 12:19:39 AM

Hertston

Posts: 3564
Joined: 8/17/2002
From: Cornwall, UK
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: adamsolo

In my opinion it would be better for business if the publishers release demos for the games, because people would try them out, get hooked and buy the game.

There are different publishers and different games. The demos issue has been discussed many times here (try a search) and opinion is still mixed. For example, the developers of what many/most of us consider Matrix' best games (along with WitP), the 'Airborne Assault' series are on record as saying that the demo for the first, Red Devils over Arnhem (which was actually published by Battlefront) cost them more sales than it gained, not because there was anything wrong with it but because after ten minutes most demo downloaders, usually expecting something totally different, just didn't 'get it' and were hence declaring left, right and centre how 'crap' it was. Other games, like WitP, just aren't suited to the idea of a demo at all; they provide intense rewards but only to those willing to invest substantial time in learning them - and folks don't do that with demos.

The other thing you need to remember about Matrix is that their sales, and development budgets, are a small fraction of those of games from people like Ubisoft and EA. Demos cost time and money, which must be weighed against any sales increase they might generate.

(in reply to adamsolo)

Post #: 7

RE: Demo? - 3/28/2010 12:34:02 AM

Erik Rutins

Posts: 37503
Joined: 3/28/2000
From: Vermont, USA
Status: offline

Hi guys,

Have a look at the videos here, starting with the introduction:

http://www.matrixgames.com/products/379/videos/Distant.Worlds

Next best thing is to read this forum, especially the AARs and the preview that was posted at the Wargamer. We are also available for any questions you may have.

Regards,

- Erik

_____________________________

Erik Rutins
CEO, Matrix Games LLC