Peter Molyneux Doesn't Like Demos

[Dan Shive]

I think the language of this is unnecessarily confusing and distracts from what is actually being said.

Peter doesn't like most modern free demos that are tiny, less functional versions of the game that don't let you keep the progress you made in them when you buy the full version.

What he is doing is still a free demo; it's just longer and doesn't force you to start over when you get the full game.

I like what Peter's doing, but for clarity's sake, call a free demo a free demo. Just make clear that it's a BETTER free demo. When I first saw the title of the article, I got mad at Peter on the basis that I thought he was saying bad things about the concept of being able to try games before buying, and that's not what he was saying at all.

Actually, this explains quite a bit. Perhaps Peter doesn't promise more than he gives; he's just bad enough at communicating that it sounds like he's offering you the world when he's actually just giving you Belgium.

 

[Jack and Calumon]

They did this with Duke Nukem 3D in certain places. Seemed to manage to keep 3D realms afloat for 12/13 years.

 

[Beltaine]

Brilliant! Peter Molyneaux has invented shareware!

On a game that's a year old already...

...and probably in the $19.99 pile at most game stores now.

Err... right.

The delivery of your software isn't the problem, Peter.


On a serious note. With larger hard drives and higher bandwidth available these days, I'd really enjoy some AAA titles being released like this. Maybe minus the cost of the box and manuals?

I can pick up Forza 3 at the game shop for $59.99 plus tax, or download it off Xbox live for $54.99?

Works for me.

 

[TikiShades]

He must play as Engineer.

I don't get it.

 

[SomethingUnrelated]

I'm not really into demos having only ever downloaded 2 in my life, but i know they're useful for indecisive gamers.

 

[lwm3398]

EDIT: For the love of fudge (I got it in my head for some reason), just release a demo, it works for every OTHER game developer

*COUGH-MIRRORS EDGE-WHEEZE*

Gold dust on top of a pile poo.

 

[EmeraldGreen]

Lots of indie devs do this, i.e. make demo saves compatible with the full version and whatnot. It's a good idea.

I simply cannot understand why mainstream developers don't have the sense to do this too. It seems so obviously a good idea to me.

 

[Lord Krunk]

Man, a lot of people in this thread hate Fable. Which is probably because, like most fanboys, they're trying to get refuge in audacity. His games weren't bad, people, they were actually very good. It's just the fact that Molyneux overhypes them, which is in turn a sign of his enthusiasm in the industry.

That said, this is a great idea. I mean, I got into Commander Keen this way.