I was sitting around thinking about when they might release a playable demo. However, other than the playable demo's shown at the different events, I don't think i've ever heard anyone from Terminal Reality come out and say, “We're releasing a demo before launch.”

I am starting to think that there just isn't going to be a playable demo. While it's considered a common practice to allow the sampling of a product these days in the game industry it's not a rule or law. There are several good reasons why from a marketing stand point you might not do so.

1.) You're trying to spend as much time on the end product and it takes man hours and money to distribute said demo.

2.) There are so many platforms this game is releasing on and its using two different developers to cover them all, and not all of them are good platforms for demo's. This includes the PS2, the Wii, and obviously the DS. But even the other three have different methods of distribution. XBOX Live, Play Station Network, and Windows Live/Third Party demo distributor such as Fileplanet. Each of them assuredly have different rules/fee's for putting a demo out there.

3.) You are trying to build hype without opening your product to alot of criticism prior to launch. From a marketing stand point it makes better sense to ride the trailer train until release. Fans will buy it regardless, gamers who are intrigued by the game itself with little GB knowledge will buy it on the trailer and interview merits. The demo could possibly hurt any demographic that isn't pleased with the slice chosen from the release candidate.

It takes confidence and cash to put a demo out there. I think alot of folks including myself were just assuming it was the obvious thing to do. However, reflecting on the reasons one might NOT release a demo I can't honestly say its possible.

Comments / theories?

SkankerZero said that the demo comes out 2 weeks before the actual game itself. I don't know why, but thats how it is, so yes, there is a demo coming out, but like the actual game, its going to take a while.

lol 2 months, tick tock, not long now

I was told by a TR employee at GDC they have altready submitted the demo and will be out in early June.

I think the demo is a very good idea. The game is definitely fun and the demo will only help get the word out there and sell more copies. When I was at GDC, I was surprised how many people walked by the kiosk and were surprised to see there even was a Ghostbusters game.

Even though we see the latest videos and get the latest scoop on the news, there are a lot of people who dont follow it like we do. But imagine when they turn on their Xbox one night and see the Ghostbusters demo in the Spotlight, it only helps get the word out there. They try the demo out, like it, and tell their friends.

To answer your questions.

1). It does take man power and money, but if the demo is good and you sell more copies, isn't it worth it?

2.) I'm guessing we'll only see a demo on ps3, xbox, maybe PC…

3.) Risk vs Reward. You fail to mention an alternative outcome, where the demo does please the demographic and they buy the game.

I'm glad to hear its at least going to be released as a demo. Two weeks isn't alot of PR time, but something's better than nothing.

They said at ComicCon that a demo was going to be released 2 weeks prior to the game coming out. I have faith in them.

I never went to any of the events. Military work kinda kept me on base. So it's nice to hear. I apologize if it's been brought up in earlier threads.

Demo's can both help and hurt a game company in certain aspects. Most of the time though they help.

It also depends on the game. If the game is part of a series that everyone enjoys like Resident Evil, then releasing the RE5 demo early was not that big of a deal and they still would have did well cause every one loved that game.

Now releasing a demo stay for a new game like BioShock or Ghostbusters. Not everyone heard of you and not everyone has heard of this new game. Releasing a demo too early to the mass marketplace could knock you out of the game early before you even have a chance to bat. Releasing it at the right time spreads enough commotion that people want to buy it.

Demos also serve a third purpose. Even though some companies play test the game, they are not perfect at finding everything. Even the kids who the play the game will find things that the play tester and the developers miss. The demo CAN help to spot these things by using a play test in mass market. Sort if like what the Halo 3 multiplayer did when Crackdown came out and everyone got to play the Beta. Bungie got a lot of info from it and look how good Halo 3 is. It is balanced to a point where it is almost 100% fair for everyone and very rarely will someone have the advantage.

Terminal Reality is a good game company, but they are not as famous as say Bungie, or Valve, or Epic Game. The demo could help boost their game to higher public status, reaching out to people who are not like us here on the forum.

*hands Verdic a tinfoil hat*

From a toolset modder to a cocky artist… *makes a tinfoil airplane and sticks it up skanks' nose*

It was seriously just something to discuss passing the time. Though my free time is limited (heaven forbid I missed something.) and was not aware the date was already predetermined for a demo.

What's the point in being here if you don't learn something? All in all, it was a good discussion and those that responded on topic had good reasoning.