EA considering charging $$$ for very long game demos

Following investor event, Webbush's Pachter says publisher is prepping $10-$15 prerelease DLC, confirms Visceral's Jack the Ripper as downloadable for XBLA, PSN.

This is like walking into a public restroom, going to the bathroom, flushing the urinal, and having the water splash you right in the face. Then on the way out theres a sign on the back of the door that says "Warning water might splash you in the face".

I see it more like this: In the context of a story-driven game, it would be like buying one of the GTA IV DLC packs without the game, before the main game is even finished (or maybe even started). That's how I understand it. I could be wrong.

I think it's more like you go into a grocery store, are offered a sample of a new product and after you've eaten it just too see if you'd like it then they demand five dollars from you for the sample.Treflis

Just another analyst saying crap without fully understanding the subject he's talking about. Nothing much new here.StopThePresses

It's a pretty rediculous idea anyway. Charging money for a demo.

Demo is short for demonstration. And the definition for demonstration as it best fits for this subject is: "The act of exhibiting the operation or use of a device, machine, process, product or the like, as to a prospective buyer" according to dictionary.com

So if they were to start charging for these, they actually wouldn't even be demo's anymore. Because we would no longer be a prospective buyer, as we would have already gave EA money for something.

[QUOTE="StopThePresses"]Just another analyst saying crap without fully understanding the subject he's talking about. Nothing much new here.RK-Mara

Yeah but he spews a lot of BS too and I'm shocked he has his own show on Gametrailers. He must be the guy other analysts pick on. "You have a show on a game site preaching to nerds who want to look important? Bwahahaha!!!"

Thumbs upside down. This sounds like Fable 2 being purchasable in parts. The idea is okay, but once put into practice.....

"Hey, let's play Final Fantasy VIII." "Oh, yeah. I haven't bought disc 2 yet."

Is this scenerio any better?

Since most/maybe all demos I've played have the disclaimer about how what I'm playing is different from the actual game and I need to know this, would data be transferable? Like saves.

This has happened before with PC games. It's been a long time though. When I was a kid, I remember accidently buying the demo for Commander Keen 6 (Aliens ate my babysitter) at a Walmart. I was a bit dissapointed because I thought it was the full version(and the demo wasn't very long either!). Later on, I'm pretty sure that I saw the demo for Doom with a price tag on it too.

Regardless, I don't like this idea. Demos are made so that people don't have to waste their money if they don't like the game.

I read something (I think here on GS) about companies looking for ways to make demos "degrade" with each play. That way, you can't play a demo forever.

For example, a COD demo would let you play through the whole thing the firt time you play it. The next time, it would take away some weapons and part of the map. The third time you play, you'd only get a knife, one or two enemies, and an even smaller map. If I can find a link, I'll update this post.

But I can definitely see a trend here where companies don't just want to give people a free or everlasting demo.

EDIT: Here's a link to what they call "eroding". This article is specifically referring to Sony. http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/27536/Sony_Plans_Game_Demos_With_Eroding_Functionality.php

I wouldn't pay for a demo. If it was 1 buck or 2 maybe. but any more no. why should i pay for a demo that you want me to play becuase you want me to pay for the game.

I love EA's new approach. Someone woke up this morning and said, "How can we lose more business?"

.......and more pirates have been created just like that

how about $60 for even longer demos?LoG-Sacrament

When DLC starts getting out of hand, just wait.

[QUOTE="LoG-Sacrament"]how about $60 for even longer demos?MarcusAntonius

When DLC starts getting out of hand, just wait.

It's a pretty rediculous idea anyway. Charging money for a demo.

Demo is short for demonstration. And the definition for demonstration as it best fits for this subject is: "The act of exhibiting the operation or use of a device, machine, process, product or the like, as to a prospective buyer" according to dictionary.com

So if they were to start charging for these, they actually wouldn't even be demo's anymore. Because we would no longer be a prospective buyer, as we would have already gave EA money for something.

Pirson

It's funny. As I was writing this, I was about to say that I could understand why they would charge for demos but on the flip side now, reviewers don't get charged, we don't get charged now, retailers don't get charged for allowing demos in their store--demos are a developers marketing scheme that, frankly, costs them money. If they want to give an extended demo, that's "their bad." Wonder what the full thought process is behind that.

[QUOTE="StopThePresses"]Just another analyst saying crap without fully understanding the subject he's talking about. Nothing much new here.RK-Mara

[QUOTE="Treflis"]I think it's more like you go into a grocery store, are offered a sample of a new product and after you've eaten it just too see if you'd like it then they demand five dollars from you for the sample.StopThePresses

[QUOTE="StopThePresses"][QUOTE="Treflis"]I think it's more like you go into a grocery store, are offered a sample of a new product and after you've eaten it just too see if you'd like it then they demand five dollars from you for the sample.Treflis

[QUOTE="StopThePresses"][QUOTE="Treflis"]I think it's more like you go into a grocery store, are offered a sample of a new product and after you've eaten it just too see if you'd like it then they demand five dollars from you for the sample.Treflis

I see it more like this: In the context of a story-driven game, it would be like buying one of the GTA IV DLC packs without the game, before the main game is even finished (or maybe even started). That's how I understand it. I could be wrong.

StopThePresses

yea good luck with that EA :|, i get demos to see if i want to buy a game, im not gonna buy a demo just to have to buy the full game at full price still, im not that big of a sucker, tho there are a ton of idiots out there that would buy a pricey demo *cough* GT Prolouge *cough*-DirtySanchez-

The concept of longer demos isn't necessarily bad, but pricing seems like it'll be their downfall. Because with all the free demos being offered through each service, why would anyone pay $10-15 dollars for simple demo? It might work if they charge only $5, but even then the chances of success aren't terribly high.

The concept of longer demos isn't necessarily bad, but pricing seems like it'll be their downfall. Because with all the free demos being offered through each service, why would anyone pay $10-15 dollars for simple demo? It might work if they charge only $5, but even then the chances of success aren't terribly high.c_rake

[QUOTE="StopThePresses"]

I see it more like this: In the context of a story-driven game, it would be like buying one of the GTA IV DLC packs without the game, before the main game is even finished (or maybe even started). That's how I understand it. I could be wrong.

JustPlainLucas

Well, in GTA IV specifically they were different entirely different stories within the same game world. I suppose they were structured assuming you had played the main game, but there's nothing that says it has to be that way. I'm just saying that if they did something like that but in a different order, that's not really akin to a "demo." It's not a "demo" if it's entirely different content from what is in the game, even if it has similar gameplay mechanics. If one is going to call that a demo, then would might as well argue that all of Telltale's games, with their episodic structure, are demos.

If you buy it and then the full game also includes that content, then yes, that is a demo. Of course, this can really get into splitting hairs territory if you start getting into bundle deals and such.

I think that what they did with the Assassin's Creed 2 DLC is really dumb. I agree on that. There's nothing about it that makes it a "demo" though, obviously.

"Worst video game ideas:

1. Pay-to-play Demos

2..."

The idea to charge for long demos is goodbut with $10, I can rent a game from Blockbuster.

The price is too high. If EA charge about $3, I may buy it.

If they really want to do this, they need to start digitally distributing. Charge $5 to play a demo version and then if you want to play the full game with whatever you've been doing, charge $60.

Yes.

I am aware that's $65 dollars but from a business standpoint, they got to make some sort of profit off of it. That would probably be a more gullible scheme than charging $15 for an extended demo then paying $60 for the game totaling $75.

If they really want to do this, they need to start digitally distributing. Charge $5 to play a demo version and then if you want to play the full game with whatever you've been doing, charge $60.

Yes.

I am aware that's $65 dollars but from a business standpoint, they got to make some sort of profit off of it. That would probably be a more gullible scheme than charging $15 for an extended demo then paying $60 for the game totaling $75.

sirkibble2

How about they just charge you $55 instead? That way it'd still be the same price at retail, so no one could complain about having to pay more.

If they really want to do this, they need to start digitally distributing. Charge $5 to play a demo version and then if you want to play the full game with whatever you've been doing, charge $60.

Yes.

I am aware that's $65 dollars but from a business standpoint, they got to make some sort of profit off of it. That would probably be a more gullible scheme than charging $15 for an extended demo then paying $60 for the game totaling $75.

sirkibble2

Until people stop buying worthless madden DLC, EA is going to find ways to get more money out of clueless people. What people don't get is that after Madden 10 comes out, they WILL buy the DLC and 11 comes out which you WILL get. Your Madden 10 DLC is now obselete and you have practically flushed your money down the toilet.

But cheer up! I hear Madden 11 will have barely distinguishable graphics and the brand new Fishstick!! I can't wait!!! /sarcasm

Until people stop buying worthless madden DLC, EA is going to find ways to get more money out of clueless people.

anthonycg

I'm so glad that no other developer would do anything like that.

[QUOTE="anthonycg"]

Until people stop buying worthless madden DLC, EA is going to find ways to get more money out of clueless people.

MarcusAntonius

I'm so glad that no other developer would do anything like that.

[QUOTE="MarcusAntonius"]

[QUOTE="anthonycg"]

Until people stop buying worthless madden DLC, EA is going to find ways to get more money out of clueless people.

anthonycg

I'm so glad that no other developer would do anything like that.

You seem to honestly believe that EA and only EA would do what you're describing. I thought that was pretty obvious. But the topic at hand concerns game demos and not so much DLC.

Of course I don't think that, but EA has had it's hand in the cookie jar a lot more than other companies.

And it has to start somewhere;

Well, everyone is still convinced that it is a demo. Good reporting, Gamespot. You really know how to take something out of context and sensationalize it.StopThePresses

It's not a demo at all. Lets say Battlefield 1943 was a game they've had in development for quite a while, and want to see what the feedback was on it. It's more like a test to see if the game will sell. Maybe it could be used to test game engines, release smaller versions of games that were cancelled halfway through development.

It's not a demo at all. Lets say Battlefield 1943 was a game they've had in development for quite a while, and want to see what the feedback was on it. It's more like a test to see if the game will sell. Maybe it could be used to test game engines, release smaller versions of games that were cancelled halfway through development.firefluff3