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So what about a demo version of Aquaria?

I'd buy a full version without playing a demo first
29 (54.7%)
I'd want to play a demo first, don't want to have to wait for one
17 (32.1%)
I'd want to play a demo first, don't mind waiting for one
6 (11.3%)
I am the loser who trolled on the blog
1 (1.9%)

Total Members Voted: 48

Author Topic: Demo Poll  (Read 45480 times)

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Offline Alec

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Demo Poll
« on: July 27, 2007, 11:43:25 pm »
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?

Offline Gravious

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Re: Demo Poll
« Reply #1 on: July 27, 2007, 11:55:01 pm »
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..
Eagles may soar, but Weasels don't get sucked in to jet engines.

Offline Alec

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Re: Demo Poll
« Reply #2 on: July 27, 2007, 11:57:34 pm »
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.

Offline xander

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Re: Demo Poll
« Reply #3 on: July 28, 2007, 12:29:12 am »
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
« Last Edit: July 28, 2007, 12:32:02 am by xander »
FROG BLAST THE VENT CORE!

Offline Gravious

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Re: Demo Poll
« Reply #4 on: July 28, 2007, 12:31:27 am »
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  ;D

Anyone remember the old Dizzy mini-games given away on the old ZX Spectrum magazines?  :D
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Offline Alec

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Re: Demo Poll
« Reply #5 on: July 28, 2007, 01:09:30 am »
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.


« Last Edit: July 28, 2007, 01:12:18 am by Alec »

Offline valkan

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Re: Demo Poll
« Reply #6 on: July 28, 2007, 02:12:55 am »
Game first please ;_;


Offline Zam

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Re: Demo Poll
« Reply #7 on: July 28, 2007, 02:28:25 am »
Whatever floats your boat..



 ;)

Offline Zeno

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Re: Demo Poll
« Reply #8 on: July 29, 2007, 07:40:15 am »
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.

Offline ZealousD

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Re: Demo Poll
« Reply #9 on: July 29, 2007, 07:54:49 am »
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.

Offline bakaboii

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Re: Demo Poll
« Reply #10 on: July 29, 2007, 09:08:54 am »
Are you going to release a demo for all platforms at once?

Offline Syranide

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Re: Demo Poll
« Reply #11 on: July 29, 2007, 01:21:57 pm »
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  :D, so I'm guessing I would just buy it anyway just to play it noooooooow  ;)).

Offline tygirwulf

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Re: Demo Poll
« Reply #12 on: July 29, 2007, 03:38:51 pm »
I would pay $20 for this game without a demo.  This is one of the very few unreleased games I'm enthusiastic about.

Offline wesley

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Re: Demo Poll
« Reply #13 on: July 29, 2007, 07:14:19 pm »
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.
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Offline Cobar

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Re: Demo Poll
« Reply #14 on: July 29, 2007, 07:20:29 pm »
Voted for buying the full game without playing a demo.
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