Demo Poll

[Alec]

Howdy,

I'm wondering what the people who are interested in buying the game think about the demo version.

The reasoning is that our first objective is to finish the game. Creating a demo version will be a separate process, probably taking about two weeks of intense work.

Once the game is done, we could either delay release for the completion of the demo, or release the game right away for those who are eager and save the demo for later.

I don't think we mind waiting, unless there are a lot of people who want to buy the game as soon as its ready, in which case we'd feel bad about stalling it further.

So.......... what say YOU?

[Gravious]

Demos are important, but i think anyone who wants to check a demo before buying is probably not fussed about waiting a couple of weeks to try it first..

One thing i would say is don't make the demo a full but locked version of the game, upgradable via serial or something, they're too easy to pirate and the temptation for some would be too great..

[Alec]

Demo's going to be its own scenario, separate from the game, so that we can star the player off with more abilities and showcase the game more effectively. It'll also help us keep the file size down, as the full game is like 100-200mb... with a separate situation, we can probably get it to a more reasonable ~25mb.

[xander]

I think that most of the people here will probably buy the game without bothering with the demo.  Your sample population is a bit biased. 

In terms of getting the demo done in time for release, I, personally, would rather get the game out sooner.  Quite frankly, as a potential customer, I am a little worried about Aquaria.  The release date has been pushed back several times, and it feels like many of these delays are due to added features, such as a Linux version and an editor.  While these things are cool, and important, it seems that actually getting the game out the door would be more important.  I don't mean to be rude, and I certainly don't want to tell you you how to do your job.  I am just trying to express my own trepidation with regards to the release of the game.

Also, won't ASW be wanting a demo that is the full game with a cut-off point?  That is the way that ASW seems to do everything else...

xander

[Gravious]

Demo's going to be its own scenario, separate from the game, so that we can star the player off with more abilities and showcase the game more effectively. It'll also help us keep the file size down, as the full game is like 100-200mb... with a separate situation, we can probably get it to a more reasonable ~25mb.

My favorite kind of demos 

Anyone remember the old Dizzy mini-games given away on the old ZX Spectrum magazines? 

[Alec]

Also, won't ASW be wanting a demo that is the full game with a cut-off point?  That is the way that ASW seems to do everything else...

I don't know.

They might want it.

Whether they'll get it or not is another question.

Some clarification:

The editor was already in the game, we're just prepping it for release by adding a mod framework. That hasn't really delayed the game that much yet.

Fixing the bugs spawned by the linux port will take some time, but it'll be spread out over testing. The core stuff seems to be working now.

There's things we tweak to improve the game, that's the most important. Adding details, making it more fun.

Up till now the major thing is the audio library, which I think have just "fixed"... by writing my own OpenAL/OggVorbis/sdl_threads implementation!

Other than that, its adding details, testing and finishing up the ending.

[valkan]

Game first please ;_;

[Zam]

Whatever floats your boat..



 

[Zeno]

To hell with ASW and their bizarre demands.

Anyways, if a demo were released I would probably play it before getting the game, but I'm almost certainly going to buy it, so I'd rather just have it out earlier.

[ZealousD]

Whether or not I'd want a demo first or not actually kind depends on the pricing. For example, if the game was $10 I'd probably jump in without playing it, but $20 or more might make me think about it a little.

Personally though, I think another really awesome trailer might do the trick. You guys sucked me in when GameTrailers posted that trailer back in February and another one that shows even more would really be fricken sweet.

[bakaboii]

Are you going to release a demo for all platforms at once?

[Syranide]

Whether or not I'd want a demo first or not actually kind depends on the pricing. For example, if the game was $10 I'd probably jump in without playing it, but $20 or more might make me think about it a little.

Personally though, I think another really awesome trailer might do the trick. You guys sucked me in when GameTrailers posted that trailer back in February and another one that shows even more would really be fricken sweet.

I'd have to agree, if it is $10 I'd buy it straight away, no sweat, but if it starts crawling up I'll probably want a demo to make sure it is what I expect (although I hardly think it isn't  , so I'm guessing I would just buy it anyway just to play it noooooooow  ).

[tygirwulf]

I would pay $20 for this game without a demo.  This is one of the very few unreleased games I'm enthusiastic about.

[wesley]

Up till now the major thing is the audio library, which I think have just "fixed"... by writing my own OpenAL/OggVorbis/sdl_threads implementation!
Other than that, its adding details, testing and finishing up the ending.

That's great! And I don't want to be annoying, but if it's a portable and easy to use library,
maybe you should release it for other game developers to benefit from.
I mean.. If you wouldn't mind that.... It would be awesome.

[Cobar]

Voted for buying the full game without playing a demo.