Should Games Be Delayed To Release Playable Demos?

Posted by simoniker on Monday February 23, 2004 @11:41AM from the well-duh dept.

Thanks to GameSpot for its 'GameSpotting' editorial discussing how important it is to release a playable demo of your games before the game debuts. Although he points out: "If your demo does not go over well with the public, it may end up being detrimental to the retail product", the writer notes: "My observations have consistently indicated that a demo's impact can be far more significant if it is released before, rather than after, a game. Look at Doom and Quake. Look at Return to Castle Wolfenstein and Battlefield 1942. The demos made these games." He even suggests games deserve delaying to get a representative demo released: "Given that resources are limited, should a game be delayed just so a demo can be released? ...I'm going to say the answer is yes."

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I for one take little notice of demos by metroid+composite · 2004-02-23 13:16 · Score: 0, Redundant

In fact I'm trying to think if I ever used one. Of course, I tend not to buy games brand new, so I can get oppinons on finished products before I buy them.
Easy. That depends... by superultra · 2004-02-23 14:10 · Score: 0, Redundant

...Is the game good or not?