The "Sony Games" forum, which includes Retro Game Reviews, has been archived and is now read-only. You cannot post here or create a new thread or review on this forum.
The reason for issuing game demos is to make us want to buy the games - I think I'm right there, so why are so many of the demo's so bad. You get a demo for something like Tony Hawks and you can play through the level again and again and again and actually start to up your scores and then want to buy the game - great. Then you get a demo for a well known F1 game where you race around a lap and a half and the thing stops and you get screen after screen of credits that you cant skip through and have to start all over again if you can be bothered to have another go - does this really make you want to buy the game, does it really give us the punters time to make up our minds on how good the gameplay will be?
The reason for issuing game demos is to make us want to buy the games - I think I'm right there, so why are so many of the demo's so bad. You get a demo for something like Tony Hawks and you can play through the level again and again and again and actually start to up your scores and then want to buy the game - great. Then you get a demo for a well known F1 game where you race around a lap and a half and the thing stops and you get screen after screen of credits that you cant skip through and have to start all over again if you can be bothered to have another go - does this really make you want to buy the game, does it really give us the punters time to make up our minds on how good the gameplay will be?
Ok, some demos are bad and yes it is annoying when they cut half way through when the time runs out, but i think that if you are really considering buying a game then the demos do give you enough to make up your mind, usually because you will have already read reviews ect and know what to expect. I see demos being used to get a feel of the game really for a minute or too, just to see if its your style of game.
Also, developers have to be carefull of how much they put on a demo, i remember a football game on a demo some time ago and it let you play a full 5 minute match with two halves. The game was not bad but i decided not to get it as i have a full match here. Its things like that, that make the demos so short, developers dont want to give you an exscuse not to get the game do they. :D
But im sure your right, if the demos were improved by being longer or having that restart option then im sure the games may sell more as you have a better experience with the game in question.
Also, developers have to be carefull of how much they put on a demo, i remember a football game on a demo some time ago and it let you play a full 5 minute match with two halves. The game was not bad but i decided not to get it as i have a full match here. Its things like that, that make the demos so short, developers dont want to give you an exscuse not to get the game do they. :D
But im sure your right, if the demos were improved by being longer or having that restart option then im sure the games may sell more as you have a better experience with the game in question.