Pike & Shot gets Release Date and Twitch Session!

[nikgaukroger]

Demos take a vast amount of work that we feel is better invested in the game itself. Demos do not show the game off properly and the nature of the games we make mean you need to invest time in learning them which goes against the way people treat demos. Often people try demos for games of a genre they are never going to enjoy because they are free and their feedback confuses potential customers as obviously they don't like the game. The more complex the game the less appropriate a demo is. It is a complete fallacy that demos increase sales. As many demos are likely to reduce sales as increase them but it is not something anyone can ever prove as its impossible to test!

Sometimes it can make sense for a game but it is case by case and absolutely not a good idea for all games.

Sorry, but from my standpoint not a single word you wrote here is true. For 20 years since People Play Pc Game a Demo is standard.
Gamemakers which sells millions of Gamecopys releases Demos . As your comments they wrong and you are rigth ?
Ok , for me the discussion is over, as i said i whish you the best for the game.

I think you would be right if the market was homogeneous, however, I'd suggest it isn't and that what applies for one game genre may well not apply for another - which I think is more or less Iain's point. In certainly know of a digital wargames company who released their first game with a demo but then chose not to for subsequent games and I understand their experience of having a demo informed them in that decision.

[maximvs]

In my opinion the linked gameplay video shows exactly how the game plays - it is a tutorial after all.

I find that this method of watching the game being played accompanied by an explanation of what's going on, is far better than letting a new user stumble through the first turns of a demo (having not read the tutorial/manual of course). The only thing you don't get to do is click with your own mouse - but we already know how to do that!

Having said that, the education industry will tell you that all learners fall into 3 types:
1 those who like to be told how to do something
2 those who like to watch how to do something
3 those who like to be left to find out for themselves by trial and error

The video fulfills the first two types but cannot satisfy the third. The third type is also the hardest to satisfy because they need the actual product to be present. There are other reasons also why the third type is not viable. I'm thinking about learning to use a chain-saw, or to use a hand grenade, or to drive an F1 racing car for example. I side with Iain on this one

[Micha63]

In my opinion the linked gameplay video shows exactly how the game plays - it is a tutorial after all.

I find that this method of watching the game being played accompanied by an explanation of what's going on, is far better than letting a new user stumble through the first turns of a demo (having not read the tutorial/manual of course). The only thing you don't get to do is click with your own mouse - but we already know how to do that!

Having said that, the education industry will tell you that all learners fall into 3 types:
1 those who like to be told how to do something
2 those who like to watch how to do something
3 those who like to be left to find out for themselves by trial and error

The video fulfills the first two types but cannot satisfy the third. The third type is also the hardest to satisfy because they need the actual product to be present. There are other reasons also why the third type is not viable. I'm thinking about learning to use a chain-saw, or to use a hand grenade, or to drive an F1 racing car for example. I side with Iain on this one

So when i"m going to buy my next car i will ask my carseller to create me a Video how great it is to drive the car.
This is far better than the hard work to go to my carseller, learning how to handle the car and do a testdrive.

[gavril]

Micha, you just sound flat-out determined not to buy the game if there isn't a demo, which is fair enough. I think your analogy with driving a car is a case of comparing apples and pears, so to speak, but I'm sure nothing I say will make any difference!

Personally, I was looking for reassurance that the AI will be better with this game than it was with FoG. Having had replies from various people inc Richard Bodley-Scott, whose opinion I respect, I'm happy enough now to give the game a try, particularly after watching the two videos that have been uploaded.

But the bottom line is that no game is a nailed-on certainty as one you'll like and find challenging, or as one that will stand repeated game play. And to be honest I don't see how playing a short demo game would really solve that conundrum...

Of course another option would be for you to wait until the game has been out for a while and (a) check the reviews, and - more importantly - (b) check the discussion forums. I find the latter in particular gives me a good idea of whether I'll enjoy a game or not.

But as I said above, I know I ain't going to change your mind!!!

Cheers,
Jay ('Gavril').

[Micha63]

Hi Gavril,
i think all that is not a really important Problem. If will purchase this game or not does not really matter for the creaters of the game.
And for me , i was interested in the game but i dont really need it.
In the end everyone is happy in anyway.