Sony Patents Game Demos With Feature Erosion

MojoKid writes "When a game developer releases a demo, it's typically intended to entice players into first trying and then purchasing the full version. This is the stuff of Game Design 101 for most of us, but a crack team of cutting-edge gaming researchers at Sony have applied for a patent based on a novel concept: game demos that become progressively less fun the more you play. Sony refers to this as 'feature erosion.' The idea behind this dubious concept is that gamers will become hooked on a game while it's still in demo, then squawk unhappily as features and abilities they've unlocked begin to disappear. In order to prevent this, the player ponies up for the full version. A demo or program that provides limited functionality or play time is one thing; a game that's purposefully designed to take your progress away, in an admitted attempt to get you to buy once you've been hooked, is something altogether different."

Comments

Unshareware

[Pharmboy]

This is a complete 180 degree turn from the old shareware concept, where you get to play the first chapter or two for free (which I think is the best hook). This can possibly backfire as there could be some confusion for the consumer. Any game that becomes "less fun" loses its value to purchase, as the consumer isn't always going to understand the concept of diminishing features. They just know the game isn't as much fun as it used to be a few days ago.

While a novel idea, I would think that in practice it would be much harder to put into action without frustrating potential customers, including teens. It would seem to me that this would likely lead to more piracy, as *some* people would become frustrated rather quickly and resentful over limitations that they seem as unreasonable. Steam does a better job with the "free weekend" specials, and other games often have playable demos with limited levels. Both of these methods seem to be infinitely better ways to tease customers into buying, since they know exactly what to expect from installing the demo. The Sony way introduces a bit too much uncertainty, imo, and might have the result of having me passing the demo up completely.