14 DAY TRIAL // Developers need to get rid of the demo. A lot of people, including myself, have been saying that game developers and publishers need to put together better, longer, more creative demos, in order to make sure that players know what they're shelling 60 dollars for when purchasing a game. Still, developers seem to believe that demos are a waste of time.
The Killzone 2 demo only comes out in the United States one day before the release date. The F.E.A.R. 2 demo should have been something other than the introductory level. Mirror's Edge should have had a Time Trial as a demo. Of the last couple of demos I played, only the Left 4 Dead one really managed to convey something about the game it presented.
So, to make it easy for videogaming companies, let's get rid of the demo altogether. We already have something better: the beta stage. Take a portion of your game, package it so that it can be offered via Steam or another digital distribution platform that is widely available and let players see the game. Of course, there should be restricted access. If you're creating a first person shooter, only offer a small cooperative level and some multiplayer maps. If you're making a strategy title, offer three to five multiplayer maps. Developers should put out enough so that players are attracted and interested, because a big participation is needed in order to get some coherent feedback from the beta stage.
Relic is currently doing it right with its Dawn of War II beta. They're offering two one on one maps and three Team Battle maps. They're offering the multiplayer with no restrictions, encouraging players to talk about the balance, the match making, the quality of the maps or of the overall design. There's no sign of any single player content, so Dawn of War II retains an aura of mystery but Relic is active in putting out beta patches, changing the balance and tweaking the game, which means that the gamers see how their playing time influences the evolution of the title.
I like what they're doing and more developers should try this route. They get information and reactions; players get to see what the game is all about before the release date, so everybody wins. The beta stage can definitely be the new demo.