This is something we lost when game developers stopped publishing free demos. I cannot imagine how “just buy it and refund it if you don’t like it” is somehow better for the industry.
Until the refund fees become too much to be supported (and it will be because I don’t see more payment processors going by, if anything,we have less and less because reasons), that is basically the stance on this subject yes
It feels like demos are coming back though. I don’t know how many demos I’ve played in the last year but it was quite a lot. I just don’t like it when the demo becomes unavailable after release.
Was going to say the same. Demoes have been making a huge comeback. I feel like every other store page I visit on Steam these days has one. Love to see it.
Free demos attract potential customers but it also attracts people who just want free stuff and aren’t potential customers (the stereotypical example in gaming would be a kid with parents that won’t buy games). From a business perspective it’s a plus being able to save yourself the effort and expenditure of interacting with the second group and only interact with people who proved they have a credit card.
This is something we lost when game developers stopped publishing free demos. I cannot imagine how “just buy it and refund it if you don’t like it” is somehow better for the industry.
Less work than making a demo, customers might forget to ask for the refund, and all the customer service is free because Steam automates it.
Makes lots of sense for developers.
As a customer, I’d still prefer a demo.
Steam has had couple of demo fests recently so I guess someone over there felt the same as you did.
This might fall under “less work than a demo” but far too many games that do have a demo, the devs don’t bother keeping it up to date.
Until the refund fees become too much to be supported (and it will be because I don’t see more payment processors going by, if anything,we have less and less because reasons), that is basically the stance on this subject yes
It feels like demos are coming back though. I don’t know how many demos I’ve played in the last year but it was quite a lot. I just don’t like it when the demo becomes unavailable after release.
Was going to say the same. Demoes have been making a huge comeback. I feel like every other store page I visit on Steam these days has one. Love to see it.
Half the games I buy on Steam have free demo versions
the refund part wasn’t planned
Free demos attract potential customers but it also attracts people who just want free stuff and aren’t potential customers (the stereotypical example in gaming would be a kid with parents that won’t buy games). From a business perspective it’s a plus being able to save yourself the effort and expenditure of interacting with the second group and only interact with people who proved they have a credit card.
I’m not going to show you my card until you show me some fun.