Microsoft, Nintendo, Sony Disagree On Demos For Downloadable Games Options

[Xbox-Scene]

Microsoft, Nintendo, Sony Disagree On Demos For Downloadable Games Posted by XanTium | March 24 20:09 EST | News Category: Xbox360

From multiplayerblog.mtv.com: [QUOTE] Over the last few weeks I've been asking top people at Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony about game demos for the downloadable games offered via Xbox Live Arcade, WiiWare and PlayStation Network. I can't get the same answer twice. Microsoft - yes, demos are a must Nintendo -- no, demos are not required Sony - sometimes demos are good, sometimes bad. Microsoft's Jeremy Wacksman, Global Marketing Manager, Xbox Live "[Trial demos for XBLA games] came from the casual games industry. The thing is that Arcade has an identity. It is about pick-up-and-play games. The trial experience helps drive that pick-up-and-play nature. You have to think about how to get consumers to taste it. And the other thing is that it provides a great marketing tool. We've talked to consumers, and trial is one of the big drivers of purchase intent. So it gets smaller-budget games that doesn't have a big marketing campaign- this is their marketing. We're going to do a great job of getting the trial into people's hands, and then the game can help sell itself." [/QUOTE] Full Story: multiplayerblog.mtv.com

[djtonic]

OK....I agree with Microsoft on their answer and I like the honesty of outright saying it is a marketing channel for them too.

I would love to have a demo of everything so I don't shell out 60bucks for a crappy game, but i'll settle on arcade demos.

~Dj~

[warmaster_670]

i wonder why nintendo doesnt like demos, maybe they realise half the games on teh wii are shovelware and wouldnt sell if peoploe could play them first......

now, i could see not needing a demo for some of there games, i mean, who really needs a demo for a mario game?

[tharien]

DEMOZ ARE BADD TEHY SHOW CRAPPY GAEM BEFORE IT SELL! ONLY GUD WEN POOSHING ESTABLESHED FRANCHIZE!!

I fucking hate the PR mongrels at SCEA and NoA, and any other company that refrains from a demo for fear of not selling the crap they're trying to promote.

This post has been edited by tharien: Mar 25 2008, 03:50 AM

[juan_2006]

I own a ps3 and theres plenty of demos that you can download.

[Mr Invader]

I own a ps3 and theres plenty of demos that you can download.

Hence why they said:

Sony - sometimes demos are good, sometimes bad.

I see the trials for XBLA as more than your ordinary demo. It's more like the full game, but with sections blocked off. You can download the trial, then automatically get the full game after you've played and payed.
It's a little off topic, but still....

[0794]

demos overall add to the experience and pleasure of online interaction and play. the opportunity to try out several games and play just a level or two for free is a great bonus and also encourages those who might never look into the media/gaming aspects of their console to explore regularly...

i do agree that some well-known older arcade titles might not benefit as much from having a demo, but remember that there are newer generations that haven't played those games before unlike us older folk...

[ILLusions0fGrander]

there has yet to be a demo that makes me say "oh hell yeah, im buying this."

if anything, its swayed me away from purchases/rentals on many games.

i mostly play them when im just wanted something new for a minute.

[tecatekxf]

I got the wii in only own wii play,wii sports,and Mario Galaxy and mario never gets played often. The others when buddies come over,The reason being is almost ever game on the wii sucks,I rented Tigerwoods 08 for the wii cause I own it for the 360 figure WTH should be fun right,Wroung tiger looked liked he was on crack, the gx on it was horrible,And the game play stunk.LOL my kids that are 9 and 7 would rather play the Gamecube.I think the only reason it sells consoles is cause anyone can play it from 2 to 100 yrs of age.So I can see why Nintendo thinks its a bad thing,I know I have no desire to buy any Shooter Games,Fighting Games,or anything else,unless maybe a sports game.Demos are good for the Consumer Period.

[sunn02]

there has yet to be a demo that makes me say "oh hell yeah, im buying this."

if anything, its swayed me away from purchases/rentals on many games.

i mostly play them when im just wanted something new for a minute.

potential money savers those demos.

[pirichios]

there has yet to be a demo that makes me say "oh hell yeah, im buying this."

if anything, its swayed me away from purchases/rentals on many games.

i mostly play them when im just wanted something new for a minute.

you have to admit though, demos encourage developers to make good products. If they know people can sample their game before buying it, they know it better be a good sample (thus ensuring that atleast that part of the game is good

This post has been edited by pirichios: Mar 25 2008, 06:02 AM

[BoNg420]

Most of the games on the Wii suck, so if you could demo, you wouldnt waste money on these pieces of trash.

[mario_ps2]

I totally agree. Demos are a must for the consumers, to avoid waisting money on a crappy games that plague the industry.

From the industry point of view, I don't really think they like to have demos available for the consumers. It can strike them on their back if the game really sucks....

[Arch0n]

I totally agree. Demos are a must for the consumers, to avoid waisting money on a crappy games that plague the industry.

LOL Crackdown. I played the demo and got stuck in a table, which was closely followed by laughing and deleting.

@_@

Of course, Crackdown has special dispensation against being trashed as it was such a wicked game and no one bought it for the H3 beta. Reports of seeing it and copies of Saint's Row alone occupying entire bargain bins are catgorically denied.


3, 2, 1 - you're back in the room.

[360dude]

there has yet to be a demo that makes me say "oh hell yeah, im buying this."
if anything, its swayed me away from purchases/rentals on many games.

yeah ... at least, the marketplace made me stay away from that crappy pro street ... not even worth a rental.