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Author Topic:   Will anyone not play the demo?

SlyFrog posted 12-20-98 03:37 PM ET
I noticed how many of you are desperately salviating for the demo. I personally do not plan on downloading or playing it. I guess I can not figure out why I would want to take some of the luster off of the final game (as I know I will buy it regardless) by playing a half version of it to death before hand. I want all of the magic to be there when I open the box, see the game for the *first* time, etc., and I want to be able to play it all without limitations.
Normally, I would get the demo, but not for a game I am 100% certain I want to buy. Does anyone else share this view?
Daboo posted 12-20-98 03:52 PM ET
I definatly see where you are coming from but it seems that the demo has been so incredibly cripled that it woun't destroy the final version that badly.
Gord McLeod posted 12-20-98 05:07 PM ET
The demo is crippled, but didn't someone also say that the saved games in the demo version are compatable with the final version of the game, so that we can KEEP our demo games and then continue to play them out when we get the real game?
Zan Thrax posted 12-20-98 06:26 PM ET
Well, I probably won't be playing it till January. Does that count?
Gojackal posted 12-20-98 07:03 PM ET
I think I read somewhere that you can't save the game in this demo. Was I really misinformed?
SlyFrog posted 12-20-98 07:05 PM ET
Well, I do not think waiting to play the demo until January counts. My question is not the ability or desire to snap up the demo as quickly as it comes out, but whether one will play the demo at all. Again, I guess by playing the demo, I would see myself: a) playing a crippled version of a game I will own in another month or two anyway; and b) taking a great deal of the newness and shine off of the whole package. I guess I see myself waiting for the whole meal, rather than spoiling my appetite with an appetizer. Some may be better than I am at not letting the appetizer ruin the appetite for the meal.
Marquesa posted 12-20-98 07:17 PM ET
I am not sure.
For me, demos have a very bad track record.
They always put me off buying the final product. I can only think of one case where I have gone on to buy the full game. That was C&C.
My curiosity and impatience may win out.
Gojackal posted 12-20-98 07:24 PM ET
Apparently, it was stated that the demo will be limited to 100 turns, 5 levels of technology and 10 cities. It doesn't sound that bad, and it should be enough until the game comes out. Why not?
Zan Thrax posted 12-20-98 08:08 PM ET
You were misinformed. You can save, and the saves work with the full game.
Fluke posted 12-20-98 08:45 PM ET
Well I for one refuse to play the demo or the actual game when it comes.
This stupid forum has already stolen way to much of my time!
Fluke
Who's mind get's a bit crippled late on Sundays =]
SlyFrog posted 12-20-98 08:58 PM ET
Apparently my post is not understood (by Gojackel, for example), so I will try to clarify what I wrote.
My problem is not that the demo will be bad, or will somehow make me not want to buy the game. My issue is that the demo will not be as good as the game, and that I know I will be buying the game. In that case, why would one want to play the demo, and by doing so wear off some of the magic of the complete game, regardless of how good the demo will be? The demo will not be nearly as good as the game (likely) regardless of how good the demo is, so why take some of the newness and fun out of the game by expending it on a crippled demo version?
Again, it sort of strikes me that if someone offered me my first drink every, and said I could have some Miller Lite now or some 12 year old Macallan's Scotch in a few weeks, I'd just wait for the Scotch. Why let your first taste of something be a shade of the real thing when you know the real thing will be coming soon? Sort of ruins the magic of the first time (I will refrain from going into sexual metaphors at this point).
Gojackal posted 12-20-98 09:19 PM ET
You see, Frog, by the time you actually learn to maintain 10 cities and kick everyone's ass, the actual game comes out, and you just keep playing the SAME game. Think of it as a sequel!
zaz posted 12-20-98 10:35 PM ET
Lets See.... Maintaining 10 cities and kicking ass should only take a few days, since I'll probably play non-stop once I get the download, but the games not due for 6-7 weeks. Seems like we'll still be waiting., maybe Activision will hurry on CTP and I can play that while we wait. Then, when they're both out I'll get no sleep.
CClark posted 12-20-98 11:24 PM ET
SkyFrog - I know what you're getting at, but I'm still going to play the demo. First of all, it may take SOME of the shine off, but I think it will also leave us begging for more and actually increase the anticipation.
Sort of like having that Miller and then saying "That was good, but you mean there's even better stuff available?!?"
The demo IS the final version, it just stops after a time and doesn't have multiplayer. If you're worried about spoiling things, just download the basic 10MB version without the sounds and stuff. From what we've heard, the game is going to be HUGE. I think there will be enough stuff to discover when the final version ships.
Also, if the demo is poorly documented, there could be the fun in the final version of saying "OH! So THAT'S what that does/means!"
I'll probably get the dmeo and play it a few times. Once Baldur's Gate hits shelves (as early as tomorrow?) then it'll probably take up all of my time until SMAC ships.
Baldor posted 12-20-98 11:29 PM ET
In an odd sense, this is not unlike saving virginity till marraige... you don't want to spoil the real thing with teases (or cripples, for that matter ^_-) Anyways... dunnno where that came from... just is.
--Baldor
WAS posted 12-21-98 12:53 AM ET
I can understand where SlyFrog is coming from. And like Marquesa, I too have a very bad track record with demos. Usually if I download it as a demo, I end up not buying it. Ceasar III is a good example of that, I was all set to buy the game until I played the demo. I will probably still buy it later when the price drops. However I do plan on downloading the SMAC demo for a couple of reasons.
1. I am not a real big fan of games set in the future. I am much more of a history nut.
So I am curious how I will react to it. I think the uniqueness and playability of the game will ease my fears of this.
2. The fact that you can save demo games and continue them in the full version.
3. I have spent almost 1 year following this game and even if all I do is use the box as a bookend, and the manual to line my bird cage, I will be buying this game.
Actually I do look forward to the release of SMAC.
WAS
DAT posted 12-21-98 02:41 AM ET
I will play the demo primarily to help get over the inevitable learning curve--which technologies allow which capabilities and/or facilities, which technologies are requisite to others, which diplomatic strategies are most likely to give me the breathing room necessary to get a solid foundation...
And I greatly appreciate the fact that the demo and production versions use the same format, allowing me to continue any of my demo "good starts" once the retail version becomes available.
Slaine posted 12-21-98 02:55 AM ET
I understand your thinking, but:
Are you not forgetting the main attraction to Sid's and Brian's programs.
The : REPLAY FACTOR. If you can count the number of Civ games you've played then maybe you should avoid the demo.
DJ RRebel posted 12-21-98 03:03 AM ET
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh !!!
Sorry .. just had to let that out !!!
Now .. going back to the title ... please tell me that was a rhetorical question !!! If not, I'm sending you to the funny farm !!!
BoomBoom posted 12-21-98 10:20 AM ET
And y'all forgot that if you don't have the demo, all the people here are going to be talking about it, while you don't have clue. I mean they could tell you all sorts of things, while you are still holding out. Bit like virginity perhaps
Jazzman posted 12-21-98 02:14 PM ET
I am going to have to play the demo becuase I have the worst case of cyber blue _alls of my life. I need my fix man I need my fix.
Gojackal posted 12-21-98 09:12 PM ET
Now that I think of it, we should all admire SlyFrog's point of view. Thanks to all of you people who don't plan to download the demo. The server won't be that slow when I do!!!
Gojackal posted 12-21-98 09:15 PM ET
Which reminds me, DO NOT attempt to encourage anyone to download the demo!
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Author	Topic: Will anyone not play the demo?
SlyFrog	posted 12-20-98 03:37 PM ET I noticed how many of you are desperately salviating for the demo. I personally do not plan on downloading or playing it. I guess I can not figure out why I would want to take some of the luster off of the final game (as I know I will buy it regardless) by playing a half version of it to death before hand. I want all of the magic to be there when I open the box, see the game for the first time, etc., and I want to be able to play it all without limitations. Normally, I would get the demo, but not for a game I am 100% certain I want to buy. Does anyone else share this view?
Daboo	posted 12-20-98 03:52 PM ET I definatly see where you are coming from but it seems that the demo has been so incredibly cripled that it woun't destroy the final version that badly.
Gord McLeod	posted 12-20-98 05:07 PM ET The demo is crippled, but didn't someone also say that the saved games in the demo version are compatable with the final version of the game, so that we can KEEP our demo games and then continue to play them out when we get the real game?
Zan Thrax	posted 12-20-98 06:26 PM ET Well, I probably won't be playing it till January. Does that count?
Gojackal	posted 12-20-98 07:03 PM ET I think I read somewhere that you can't save the game in this demo. Was I really misinformed?
SlyFrog	posted 12-20-98 07:05 PM ET Well, I do not think waiting to play the demo until January counts. My question is not the ability or desire to snap up the demo as quickly as it comes out, but whether one will play the demo at all. Again, I guess by playing the demo, I would see myself: a) playing a crippled version of a game I will own in another month or two anyway; and b) taking a great deal of the newness and shine off of the whole package. I guess I see myself waiting for the whole meal, rather than spoiling my appetite with an appetizer. Some may be better than I am at not letting the appetizer ruin the appetite for the meal.
Marquesa	posted 12-20-98 07:17 PM ET I am not sure. For me, demos have a very bad track record. They always put me off buying the final product. I can only think of one case where I have gone on to buy the full game. That was C&C. My curiosity and impatience may win out.
Gojackal	posted 12-20-98 07:24 PM ET Apparently, it was stated that the demo will be limited to 100 turns, 5 levels of technology and 10 cities. It doesn't sound that bad, and it should be enough until the game comes out. Why not?
Zan Thrax	posted 12-20-98 08:08 PM ET You were misinformed. You can save, and the saves work with the full game.
Fluke	posted 12-20-98 08:45 PM ET Well I for one refuse to play the demo or the actual game when it comes. This stupid forum has already stolen way to much of my time! Fluke Who's mind get's a bit crippled late on Sundays =]
SlyFrog	posted 12-20-98 08:58 PM ET Apparently my post is not understood (by Gojackel, for example), so I will try to clarify what I wrote. My problem is not that the demo will be bad, or will somehow make me not want to buy the game. My issue is that the demo will not be as good as the game, and that I know I will be buying the game. In that case, why would one want to play the demo, and by doing so wear off some of the magic of the complete game, regardless of how good the demo will be? The demo will not be nearly as good as the game (likely) regardless of how good the demo is, so why take some of the newness and fun out of the game by expending it on a crippled demo version? Again, it sort of strikes me that if someone offered me my first drink every, and said I could have some Miller Lite now or some 12 year old Macallan's Scotch in a few weeks, I'd just wait for the Scotch. Why let your first taste of something be a shade of the real thing when you know the real thing will be coming soon? Sort of ruins the magic of the first time (I will refrain from going into sexual metaphors at this point).
Gojackal	posted 12-20-98 09:19 PM ET You see, Frog, by the time you actually learn to maintain 10 cities and kick everyone's ass, the actual game comes out, and you just keep playing the SAME game. Think of it as a sequel!
zaz	posted 12-20-98 10:35 PM ET Lets See.... Maintaining 10 cities and kicking ass should only take a few days, since I'll probably play non-stop once I get the download, but the games not due for 6-7 weeks. Seems like we'll still be waiting., maybe Activision will hurry on CTP and I can play that while we wait. Then, when they're both out I'll get no sleep.
CClark	posted 12-20-98 11:24 PM ET SkyFrog - I know what you're getting at, but I'm still going to play the demo. First of all, it may take SOME of the shine off, but I think it will also leave us begging for more and actually increase the anticipation. Sort of like having that Miller and then saying "That was good, but you mean there's even better stuff available?!?" The demo IS the final version, it just stops after a time and doesn't have multiplayer. If you're worried about spoiling things, just download the basic 10MB version without the sounds and stuff. From what we've heard, the game is going to be HUGE. I think there will be enough stuff to discover when the final version ships. Also, if the demo is poorly documented, there could be the fun in the final version of saying "OH! So THAT'S what that does/means!" I'll probably get the dmeo and play it a few times. Once Baldur's Gate hits shelves (as early as tomorrow?) then it'll probably take up all of my time until SMAC ships.
Baldor	posted 12-20-98 11:29 PM ET In an odd sense, this is not unlike saving virginity till marraige... you don't want to spoil the real thing with teases (or cripples, for that matter ^_-) Anyways... dunnno where that came from... just is. --Baldor
WAS	posted 12-21-98 12:53 AM ET I can understand where SlyFrog is coming from. And like Marquesa, I too have a very bad track record with demos. Usually if I download it as a demo, I end up not buying it. Ceasar III is a good example of that, I was all set to buy the game until I played the demo. I will probably still buy it later when the price drops. However I do plan on downloading the SMAC demo for a couple of reasons. 1. I am not a real big fan of games set in the future. I am much more of a history nut. So I am curious how I will react to it. I think the uniqueness and playability of the game will ease my fears of this. 2. The fact that you can save demo games and continue them in the full version. 3. I have spent almost 1 year following this game and even if all I do is use the box as a bookend, and the manual to line my bird cage, I will be buying this game. Actually I do look forward to the release of SMAC. WAS
DAT	posted 12-21-98 02:41 AM ET I will play the demo primarily to help get over the inevitable learning curve--which technologies allow which capabilities and/or facilities, which technologies are requisite to others, which diplomatic strategies are most likely to give me the breathing room necessary to get a solid foundation... And I greatly appreciate the fact that the demo and production versions use the same format, allowing me to continue any of my demo "good starts" once the retail version becomes available.
Slaine	posted 12-21-98 02:55 AM ET I understand your thinking, but: Are you not forgetting the main attraction to Sid's and Brian's programs. The : REPLAY FACTOR. If you can count the number of Civ games you've played then maybe you should avoid the demo.
DJ RRebel	posted 12-21-98 03:03 AM ET Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh !!! Sorry .. just had to let that out !!! Now .. going back to the title ... please tell me that was a rhetorical question !!! If not, I'm sending you to the funny farm !!!
BoomBoom	posted 12-21-98 10:20 AM ET And y'all forgot that if you don't have the demo, all the people here are going to be talking about it, while you don't have clue. I mean they could tell you all sorts of things, while you are still holding out. Bit like virginity perhaps
Jazzman	posted 12-21-98 02:14 PM ET I am going to have to play the demo becuase I have the worst case of cyber blue _alls of my life. I need my fix man I need my fix.
Gojackal	posted 12-21-98 09:12 PM ET Now that I think of it, we should all admire SlyFrog's point of view. Thanks to all of you people who don't plan to download the demo. The server won't be that slow when I do!!!
Gojackal	posted 12-21-98 09:15 PM ET Which reminds me, DO NOT attempt to encourage anyone to download the demo!