Do Free Downloadable Demos Influence You...?

of the free downloadable demos on XBL and PSN, I was thinking about how a demo can strongly influence a consumer to purchase a full version of a game.

For example, was there a game in particular that, if a demo had not been released for it, you wouldn't even think about buying in the first place?

Or was there a game that got you hyped for, but after playing the demo, you decided not to buy?

The most recent game for me is Bad Company 2. Multiplayer is so addictive!!!

Yes,Batman AA,BC2 and inFamous.

Pretty much all they do for me is tell me if a game is bad. They never do a good job showing us if a game in good or not.

Yes, some demos have made me rush out a buy a game i had no prior interest in.

Also a poor demo can make me back off and not buy a game.

So games are better off having no demo at all, than a bad demo.

killzone made me, infamous made me, BC2 is going to make me, left 4 dead made me So yeah they do

Demos for me, as with full games, are always up in the air. There are demos that I've played that sold me on games, there are demos that I hated and didn't buy the game, and demos that I've played and hated yet bought the full game when the price was under $20 and loved it.

Well I played the Tropico 3 demo on PC and now I really want to buy it.

Generally demos turn me off though.

Yes it does all the time

Absolutely. Red Faction: Guerilla's demo instantly convinced me to buy the game.

At times, I like to keep in mind that demos are pretty much designed to make us want to buy the game.

Majority of the time, yes. It's like a test drive.

At times, I like to keep in mind that demos are pretty much designed to make us want to buy the game.

Tiefster

I was on the fence about inFamous until I played the demo. The demo was fun so I bought the game.

I wasn't so sure about Batman Arkham Asylum until I played the demo. The demo sucked so I didn't buy the game.

I probably wouldn't of bought valkyria chronicles w/out a demo.

well the beta of quakeliva is addicting to me so when and if they make a full game out of it ill buy it

Of course, I download new demos whenever I can. Like I played the Dark Void demo and realized It was a bad game, so now I dont have to waste my time and money renting it.

No, the only game that I have bought with a demo out is BC2 and I preordered it before the demo was released.

Absolutely. Demos/betas give a very big impression on if a game will be good or bad.

Demoes heavilly influenced my purchases of Bioshock, the Orange Box and 'Spolsion Man. So, yes, free demoes influence me to purchase full games on occasion.

Had I not played the Mirror's Edge demo, I wouldn't have spent $60 on the game. Had I not played the Skate demo, I would not have spent the $40 on the game, or the $20 on its sequel, or the impending $60 on its sequel.

Demo's can make or break a game impression for me; and if the game is of high-quality, I will probably be sold on it.

They are definitely important. Alongside with reviews and gameplay footage on YouTube.

Most demoes do not do a lot for me. Since my favorite kind of games don't tend to demo well.

The left4dead demo changed my view on that title from meh to day one purchase, and it is now my favorite multiplayer game.

i was kind of on the fence about bayonetta, then i played the demo. i literally left the house and preordered it.

crackdown, as well. i dont know how many of yall rememeber this demo but it was on some serious oh snap

most games, the demo is less than compelling.

Yes, for sure

I was on the fence about inFamous until I played the demo. The demo was fun so I bought the game.

I wasn't so sure about Batman Arkham Asylum until I played the demo. The demo sucked so I didn't buy the game.

GeoffZak

I didn't think much of the Batman Arkham Asylum demo either and so didn't buy the game straight away. However when I finally did get round to playing the full game I loved it.

Heavy Rain demo = A purchase for me now.

BBC2 Demo = No purchase for me no prone terrible graphics that actually hurt my eyes. Only wanted it for the PS3 so its a no go on the PC where i know NO one to play games with.

AvP Demo = A WTH? Dunno if its ment to look like a PS2 game or not but we will see! Probably a no purchase as well. Only interested in the PS3 version once again.

Kings Bountys Demo = No Purchase hated it

Aion = No purchase

Fear 2 = No purchase

Yeah they affect me.

No. I've downloaded a few demos, and none have inspired me.

Heavy Rain demo = A purchase for me now.

BBC2 Demo = No purchase for me no prone terrible graphics that actually hurt my eyes. Only wanted it for the PS3 so its a no go on the PC where i know NO one to play games with.

AvP Demo = A WTH? Dunno if its ment to look like a PS2 game or not but we will see! Probably a no purchase as well. Only interested in the PS3 version once again.

Kings Bountys Demo = No Purchase hated it

Aion = No purchase

Fear 2 = No purchase

Yeah they affect me.

jwsoul

Play BBC2 more and you will love it.

Demos of Zen Pinball, Valkyria Chronicles (although that was already on my radar), Wipeout HD, Bioshockand Fat Princess inspired me to buy the game.

Demos of Uncharted and Mirrors Edge put me off buying the game until I saw it cheap.