Petition for a download demo

[Vince278]

A demo is not going to happen, at least not before release. Look at their history in that regard.

[Adagio]

Originally posted by Solver

But PLEASE Firaxis, make me a beta tester of Civ4

And by saying that you lose any chance of being a tester ever .

I know, but it wasn't going to happen anyway

[Zoid]

No, a demo is just a waste of time. It´s not like we´re more likely to buy the game if we get a demo. We´re all gonna buy it as soon as it hits the shelves anyway. Right?

[Nikolai]

No demo. Not neccessary and too risky, as the SMAC demo showed if my memory serves me right.

[Adm.Naismith]

Originally posted by Dr Zoidberg
No, a demo is just a waste of time. It´s not like we´re more likely to buy the game if we get a demo. We´re all gonna buy it as soon as it hits the shelves anyway. Right?

Demo are only chopped down version of the game: they are not a waste of programming time, no more than preparing a couple of trailers is an issue for movies director.

Do you ever notice a trailer that slowed down a movie to its way to the theatre?

C'mon, if you want to buy the game blinded, please do it. You don't want to check by yourself with a demo, don't want to read proper rewiews... but let us and every novice player gain a few more advice on the game that's not only paper bait from marketing, right?

SMACX demo crashed on my PC every other turn, while the original game was stable enough. I passed on that turn.

I tried some games widely defined "great", still from the demo I understand some are not my cup of tea, for many reasons. Money saved for game more fitting my gamestyle.

A demo is a *need*, nothing less, IMHO.
Every game company that doesn't let us play with a demo is stinking fear of bad press for a rushed game, at least.

[yin26]

A demo for a game that is already going to sell by virtue of its heritage can only do a couple of things:

+: Give Firaxis feedback on harware compatibility.
+: Hook those on the sidelines (requires great demo, of course)

-: Show that there are tons of compatability and other problems.
-: Show that the game is virtually unchanged and not worth the $

The list could go on and on, but there's too much risk for Firaxis when name value alone will sell tons of games. I think SMAC was a little different because of the new subject matter and, frankly, Brian's confidence in given you a great first 100 turns.

Anyway, too much for Firaxis to lose. Not enough to gain. I, of course, would love a demo...but we know where that's likely to lead me: to conclude it's Civ 2.7! (CyberShy, don't worry...this is all speculation)

[Grandpa Troll]

Originally posted by yin26
A demo for a game that is already going to sell by virtue of its heritage can only do a couple of things:

+: Give Firaxis feedback on harware compatibility.
+: Hook those on the sidelines (requires great demo, of course)

-: Show that there are tons of compatability and other problems.
-: Show that the game is virtually unchanged and not worth the $

The list could go on and on, but there's too much risk for Firaxis when name value alone will sell tons of games. I think SMAC was a little different because of the new subject matter and, frankly, Brian's confidence in given you a great first 100 turns.

Anyway, too much for Firaxis to lose. Not enough to gain. I, of course, would love a demo...but we know where that's likely to lead me: to conclude it's Civ 2.7! (CyberShy, don't worry...this is all speculation)

Yin26 great to hear from you again my friend and I couldnt agree more!!

[Adm.Naismith]

Originally posted by yin26
Anyway, too much for Firaxis to lose. Not enough to gain. I, of course, would love a demo...but we know where that's likely to lead me: to conclude it's Civ 2.7! (CyberShy, don't worry...this is all speculation)

Yin, I see your point, still others company manage to give away a demo, also when they are sure to sell lot of games: "Rome: Total War", IIRC already was a sure best seller and I've the demo installed on my PC for my son right now.

Lego Star Wars is more on a niche for younger player, still have good review, plenty of humor, a brand as Lego (TM) that really kick a$$ for children and... a nice demo.

Some companies know they have a great product and are proud to show it, some are not really sure and insist to "keep turned the light off" until it's possible.

A demo available a couple of weeks after the game launch will show a strong, great team, IMHO. Go on Sid, show your pride to us all.

[Nikolai]

Originally posted by Grandpa Troll


Yin26 great to hear from you again my friend and I couldnt agree more!!

Granpa, he has been here for some time now.

[Harovan]

I would love a downloadable demo. But it is a two-edged sword, and Firaxis has enough publicity and does not really need to stir up attention. So I doubt it will be delivered.

I downloaded the RoN demo. Thanks B. R.! I never bought the game thanks to it, since it wasn't my cup of tea.

[Addled Platypus]

Originally posted by Nikolai
No demo. Not neccessary and too risky, as the SMAC demo showed if my memory serves me right.

must have missed that story

what details do you recall


cant imagine such a horrible risk, unless the actual game is that bad

[Adm.Naismith]

Originally posted by Platypus Rex
cant imagine such a horrible risk, unless the actual game is that bad

IIRC the demo had a weak protection, so if you get the demo (intended to be limited to 100 turns) *AND* applied the first patch (dowloaded for free, of course)... voilà, you had the full game working for free.
I never tested the whole trick, as I had already bought the game (and I'd bought it anyway, as I always do with any good game I really play, after checking it with a demo, shareware or borrowing it from a friend).

[Solver]

Ignore Yin, he's still convinced the game hasn't changed at all from Civ3, while sensible people know it's quite different from Civ3 and very different if you compare it to Civ2 .

And sensible people know that around the New Year Yin will be posting pics of himself eating the Civ4 flavour cardboard pizza.

[Solver]

IIRC the demo had a weak protection, so if you get the demo (intended to be limited to 100 turns) *AND* applied the first patch (dowloaded for free, of course)... voilà, you had the full game working for free.

Anything gets cracked. Any demo that is the full game with only a time limit gets cracked. That's no news. It isn't of paramount importance, though, as people who crack these demos to be the full game would pirate the full game anyway isntead of buying it.

[Adm.Naismith]

Originally posted by Solver
And sensible people know that around the New Year Yin will be posting pics of himself eating the Civ4 flavour cardboard pizza.

Ssssh! Don't tell to anyone, but I've fear that Yin could be back asking that anyone else will eat the game box, if the game will end to be the same old stuff warmed up...