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.
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.
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.
