Skip to content
SimCookie

SimCookie

Journey through Retro & Modern Gaming, Explore Gear & Geek Delights

  • Home
  • Retro & Modern Gaming
    • Gaming
    • Destiny 2
    • Red Redemption 2
    • Bloxburg
    • Call of Duty
  • Gear & Geek Stuff
  • Show Me How
    • General Updates and News
    • Life360
  • Tech
  • Contact Us
  • Home
  • 2023
  • July
  • 14
  • Xbox Makes Headlines for Demo Fest, But Shouldn’t Demos Be Standard?

Xbox Makes Headlines for Demo Fest, But Shouldn’t Demos Be Standard?

3 min read
3633
Xbox Makes Headlines for Demo Fest, But Shouldn’t Demos Be Standard?

Microsoft is definitely behind the competition in almost every regard that matters in gaming, but they do run a few things that are great for players and developers. The worth of the Xbox Game Pass for developers can be questioned, but the ID@Xbox Demo Fest is certainly a great way for indie studios to get some well-deserved exposure.

This year, the event showcased over 40 demos, including ones for the super-looking The Wandering Village, Punch Club 2: Fast-Forward, Astrea: The Six-Sided Oracles, and Trinity Fusion. With the event running for one week, gamers had to scramble to download and try these games while they still could. If the event does translate to better sales, then perhaps the Independent Developers @ Xbox should consider a permanent deployment of demos.

Demos and Free Ttrials, While Sparse, Do Still Exist

Most online services recognize that letting users try for free is a great way to convert perusers into customers. Provided that you have an Apple device, you’ll likely have seen the extensive premium library of mobile games offered by Apple Arcade. Knowing that freemium is the go-to way to play on mobile, Apple opted to bundle three months of it for free with new Apple devices and Apple TV subscriptions.

It’s a generous and free way to get people involved and sell the somewhat strange concept of premium mobile gaming. It follows what iGaming providers have done for a while. Indeed, the pay-as-you-play space of slot gaming even offers ways to try games for free. Most leading platforms now offer no-deposit free spins to new players. Some are tied to big-hit games like Mega Diamond, while others are free-roam. So users don’t have to pay anything to see if they like the slot gaming experience before they buy.

Image3

Xbox does have a collection of year-round demos, but their main rivals have started to seemingly up their demo game. PlayStation recently saw the release of Final Fantasy XVI – an exclusive title in a superbly popular franchise. Yet, just before launch, the demo landed on the store, joining more newcomers like Pocket Bravery, The Valiant, Lies of P, Oaken, and Street Fighter 6. The Nintendo Switch often has its larger but more complex releases – so not main first-party games, but spin-offs – come with a demo, which certainly helps due to its archaic refund policy.

Why Should Developers Take the Time to Release a Demo?

In a gaming world seemingly being overrun by free-to-start apps and console games, it can be a daunting thought to put out a demo for free. People could enjoy it for an hour or two and then just move on, or worse, some may find that they don’t like it when they are going to buy the game. This perceived risk, however, should be brushed aside by developers who are appropriately pricing their creations.

Image2

Particularly with the more costly games featuring mechanics that are either tough to showcase in a short trailer or more enjoyable once you delve into the variety on offer, demos can greatly help people to get on your side. On the Switch, Octopath Traveler II, and Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity are fine examples of this, and those who do commit to trying the demo often end up investing enough time to swing in favor of buying.

Too many indie games overprice themselves for mediocre experiences, so players are less inclined to pay up. Doing so is risky as many digital stores are a real pain to get a refund from. However, demos showcase a self-belief in the creation and make for happier customers who don’t have to risk cash to try out games.

Demos are much more far-reaching now than when they came packaged as free discs in magazines, too. Having a demo gives a chance for guide writers to subtly promote the title through helpful articles, while streamers can also latch on, run through it, and introduce the game to their many followers. If it’s good, the game will get the sales that it deserves from the extra exposure.

Releasing a demo alongside or prior to the release of a game will only help it to find its audience, so hopefully, the Demo Fest will encourage more.

Continue Reading

Previous: The Role of Australian Casinos in Supporting Local Charities
Next: Exploring the World of PC Sniper Games: A Thrilling Experience for Gaming Enthusiasts

Trending

Transform Your Gaming with Munjoff1445 Mods: Ultimate Guide and Installation Tips Transform Your Gaming with Munjoff1445 Mods: Ultimate Guide and Installation Tips 1

Transform Your Gaming with Munjoff1445 Mods: Ultimate Guide and Installation Tips

What Is Doayods? Understanding Their Role in Today’s Technology Landscape What Is Doayods? Understanding Their Role in Today’s Technology Landscape 2

What Is Doayods? Understanding Their Role in Today’s Technology Landscape

When Was the Game Innerlifthunt Released? A Look at Its Launch and Impact When Was the Game Innerlifthunt Released? A Look at Its Launch and Impact 3

When Was the Game Innerlifthunt Released? A Look at Its Launch and Impact

Why Can’t Tadicurange Disease Be Cured? Understanding the Challenges and Ongoing Research Why Can’t Tadicurange Disease Be Cured? Understanding the Challenges and Ongoing Research 4

Why Can’t Tadicurange Disease Be Cured? Understanding the Challenges and Ongoing Research

What Is Honzava5 Online Games? Exploring Features, Benefits, and Gameplay Insights What Is Honzava5 Online Games? Exploring Features, Benefits, and Gameplay Insights 5

What Is Honzava5 Online Games? Exploring Features, Benefits, and Gameplay Insights

The Ultimate Guide to the Asia eGames Scene The Ultimate Guide to the Asia eGames Scene 6

The Ultimate Guide to the Asia eGames Scene

Related Stories

Mental Health Related Games Mental Health Related Games
4 min read

Mental Health Related Games

30
5 Strategies for Maximizing Your Winnings in Online Slots  5 Strategies for Maximizing Your Winnings in Online Slots 
3 min read

5 Strategies for Maximizing Your Winnings in Online Slots 

178
What Is Aviator? The Crash Game Taking Online Gaming by Storm What Is Aviator? The Crash Game Taking Online Gaming by Storm
4 min read

What Is Aviator? The Crash Game Taking Online Gaming by Storm

178
From Console to Casino: How Gamers Are Powering the Rise of eSports and Online Betting From Console to Casino: How Gamers Are Powering the Rise of eSports and Online Betting
3 min read

From Console to Casino: How Gamers Are Powering the Rise of eSports and Online Betting

210
How Are Sweepstakes Casinos Adapting to the Mobile Gaming Boom? How Are Sweepstakes Casinos Adapting to the Mobile Gaming Boom?
4 min read

How Are Sweepstakes Casinos Adapting to the Mobile Gaming Boom?

245
Social Casino for Simulation Gamers Social Casino for Simulation Gamers
8 min read

Social Casino for Simulation Gamers

255

Trending News

Africa’s Mobile Betting Boom Africa’s Mobile Betting Boom 1

Africa’s Mobile Betting Boom

Maximizing Your Winnings: Tips for Making the Most of Casino Bonuses Maximizing Your Winnings: Tips for Making the Most of Casino Bonuses 2

Maximizing Your Winnings: Tips for Making the Most of Casino Bonuses

Library Lifeforms: Create Books That Are Alive and Have Their Own Habits Library Lifeforms: Create Books That Are Alive and Have Their Own Habits 3

Library Lifeforms: Create Books That Are Alive and Have Their Own Habits

From Amateur to Pro: How AI Video Editing is Transforming Content Creation From Amateur to Pro: How AI Video Editing is Transforming Content Creation 4

From Amateur to Pro: How AI Video Editing is Transforming Content Creation

Free Slots Guide Free Slots Guide 5

Free Slots Guide

  • Bloxburg
  • Life360
  • General Updates and News
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • About Us
© simcookie.com, All Rights Reserved
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Do not sell my personal information.
Cookie SettingsAccept
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT