shokupan – 26:

“You think it's just going to appear under Jay Wilbur's pillow overnight or something? Even if the demo level already exists as part of the game, creating and testing a demo designed to run out of context with the rest of the game takes man-hours. Simple.”

Develop the demo during game development. Simple.

Some Dude – 27:

“And while doing a demo before the game is done certainly won't cause months worth of delay, it will cause some amount of delay, because you're making a demo instead of making a game.”

Ok, I admit. I should have stated that demos delay games only slightly. It is still no excuse to refuse development of a demo before the game ships.

shokupan - 34:

“Interesting to see that no one seems to put any faith in reviews these days.
Surely this is the best recourse when no demo is available...?”

Hah! Reviewers are not very good these days. If a reviewer’s bias is not bad enough, then what do you think of relying on one man’s opinion of a game? Just take other people’s word for it, then.

j-Bru – 36:

“On a side note, what other type of media/entertainment do you generally get to sample something of the finished product for free thats as robust as demos from games?”

Movies cost only $7, not $50. Music can be downloaded. Books can be read in the bookstore.

Scottish Martial Arts – 38:

“(AVP1/2 doesn't count, no squad mates)”

It’s called multi-player, something this game lacks

Creston – 47:

“First off, I don't need a demo to tell me if the game is good or not, that's why there are reviews. Find a reviewer who seems to like the same games you do for the same reasons you do, and you've got a fairly good chance that any game he/she recommends is something you'll like. “

There are very few reviewers that differ. Most reviewers are the same, and the only reliable ones are found at http://videogamereviews.com (or something rather), a place of user-reviews.

“Second, if you absolutely NEED to try a game before deciding to buy it, what's wrong with buying the game, playing it, and if you don't like it, return it to the store? If they give you any shit about that, tell them it won't install, I've never had any problem returning any games (even though I return VERY few).”

There are people who also live in areas where there are only stores like Best Buy, a store known for its horrible return policy. Not only that, but people like me have better things to do than drive 5 miles to the store, slap $50 down and drive home when I could be doing other things like watching CNN or downloading other game demos to make sure that what I’m interested in is worth it. It surely would have helped on UT2 if I downloaded a demo just to see how shitty of a game it is.

“However, it is strange that they aren't releasing a demo. Everybody and their uncle releases a demo for their games these days, so NOT releasing one for Unreal 2 makes you wonder.”

Yeah, it does. Let the conspiracy theories begin!

“I doubt it's because 'they know their game sucks' and they are afraid to show it. While the hype machine would support such a theory, I just can't imagine the Unreal franchise releasing a game that sucked.”

You cannot believe that it is possible for Unreal 2 to be a bad game because it is the successor of Unreal? Bravo!

“Furthermore, this game will probably sell VERY well even if they DID release a demo that put some people off, simply on it's name.”

Marketing’s a bitch. But that’s what the gaming industry is: business.

“It might be that they feel a demo would do the game injustice. They have put a lot of emphasis on the storyline and the interaction with the crewmates, and other such things. Trying to get something like that to show in a demo is probably a futile effort.”

Yeah, they wouldn’t want to scare customers away with horrible voice acting or cheesy lines such as shown in the teaser video.

“Hence, they might be afraid that a demo would give a bad opinion of the game that's unwarranted.”

Like so.

“This is something that happens often with demos, I feel. How often have you played a demo, only to go ho-hum, then to be told by others you know who actually have the full game that "the demo sucks, the game is much better".
It seems that almost EVERY game suffers from that problem.”

Yeah, with games like Wolf 3D, Doom, Quake, Duke 3D, Blood, Shadow Warrior, hmm give me time to think of more… Age of Empires, C&C. Too many to list, but you get the point. Oh, Soldier of Fortune, Heretic. Must I go on?

“Also, they might simply not want to reveal any of the surprises in the game with the demo. There aren't THAT many missions in the game (13, with 20-25 levels or so?), and they might not want to put their coolest stuff out for free.”

Yeah, all the cool stuff must happen in the beginning to trick the player into thinking that it’s a good game. Yeah.

I’m not being too critical of the game, hell I might get without the demo. But it’s not just the lack of a demo, it’s you guys.

_____

The possible pain, suffering and sacrifice of discovery are by no means an excuse to remain ignorant.

Careful #48, intelligent logic isn't taken very well by illogical masses who thrive on whining about anything & everything they can.

m19

most people don't seem to know how much work and time you need to put a demo together. Even when not considering technical aspects of a demo like coding, optimzing, bug-hunting and so on, the problem which level or how much gameplay features one need to put into the demo is a very difficult task to solve.

Some great companies like Revolution Software almost never ever made demos of their successfull games because as they said themselves: it's more reasonable to put the work of 3-4 weeks one needs to compile a demo into the game itself. It's better for everyone... Again, if you don't like it (chances are very slim that one won't with this title), you can always return the game...

This comment was edited on Jan 14, 18:24.

First off, I don't need a demo to tell me if the game is good or not, that's why there are reviews. Find a reviewer who seems to like the same games you do for the same reasons you do, and you've got a fairly good chance that any game he/she recommends is something you'll like.

Second, if you absolutely NEED to try a game before deciding to buy it, what's wrong with buying the game, playing it, and if you don't like it, return it to the store? If they give you any shit about that, tell them it won't install, I've never had any problem returning any games (even though I return VERY few).

However, it is strange that they aren't releasing a demo. Everybody and their uncle releases a demo for their games these days, so NOT releasing one for Unreal 2 makes you wonder.
I doubt it's because 'they know their game sucks' and they are afraid to show it. While the hype machine would support such a theory, I just can't imagine the Unreal franchise releasing a game that sucked. Furthermore, this game will probably sell VERY well even if they DID release a demo that put some people off, simply on it's name.

It might be that they feel a demo would do the game injustice. They have put a lot of emphasis on the storyline and the interaction with the crewmates, and other such things. Trying to get something like that to show in a demo is probably a futile effort.
Hence, they might be afraid that a demo would give a bad opinion of the game that's unwarranted.
This is something that happens often with demos, I feel. How often have you played a demo, only to go ho-hum, then to be told by others you know who actually have the full game that "the demo sucks, the game is much better".
It seems that almost EVERY game suffers from that problem.

Also, they might simply not want to reveal any of the surprises in the game with the demo. There aren't THAT many missions in the game (13, with 20-25 levels or so?), and they might not want to put their coolest stuff out for free.

Ahh, who knows, I can't wait until February 5th

Creston

As soon as it hits EBX. I'll have one.

Cheers,

JGK95

There never was a demo for the original Unreal, I don't believe, so maybe there sticking to a plan. Not sure what it is though. I can't believe they wouldn't release a demo... but who knows. I haven't heard any talk of one.

Pheenixx:

LOL!

This comment was edited on Jan 14, 16:32.

ive warez'd all my damn games..recently!!
I warez'd NOLF2.. played thru once, then uninstalled- no reason to replay or buy it!
I warez'd UT2k3.. played it online, then uninstalled- will reinstall once I get my A7N8x Deluxe board
I will warez Unreal2 as well when the time comes!!

I even "ALMOST" thought bout' warez'ing The RADEON 9700! By getting the 9500 and using the warez'hack to enable 9700 performance, but instead I'll get a rock solid Ti4200 thank you very much.

Like I said before,

Warez'd ISO here I come!!

It may be possible that ZipFlap and fredrickson are inbred siblings, separated before they got the chance to know one another. Score another one for the internet - it helps to unite families.

This comment was edited on Jan 14, 16:31.

Fine Zip - go do that. I will provide the stick for ya because you are certainly providing the shit. And thank you for proving my point, yet again.

Why don't you actually play the game before spouting off? Novel idea eh?

This comment was edited on Jan 14, 16:31.

Me and a buddy tried it at E3. Needless to say it looked awesome. Since then its always been dwelling in the back of my head, "when is it coming?". I thought it would be at least march, but the sooner the better. Now my Unreal Gland will be working overtime to produce the hormones required for such a game.

Its Coming ....

You guys complain/whine/bitch about anything don't you? Unreal 2 goes gold and most of everything is when is the demo (whine), it's unoriginal (whine), I'll warez it (stealing whine). Can only imagine what you guys would be saying if it was delayed or something.

Bahahahaha.. you actually read my comment you dipshit, I fart on your grave.

I got bored with unreal 1 after that skarrj or whatever attacks you when all the light in the hallway start going out.

They had something good going there but then it jsut got lame.

I wonder if this will be any differet.

Yeah, but in '98 prior to the release of Half-Life that was some sweet shit. I've been replaying Unreal in anticipation of Unreal 2 and the first one definately feels dated, although it still looks remarkably good. I think the big thing Unreal 1 did was up the immersion ante by creating some of the best atmosphere in any FPS ever.

I get the feeling that Unreal 2 will be pretty damn sweet. It sounds an awful lot like I'll finally get to be one of the Space Marines from Aliens (AVP1/2 doesn't count, no squad mates). Anyway even if that isn't the case the game ought to be a whole lot of fun.

This comment was edited on Jan 14, 16:11.

hey blues news why are you so gay

I'd be willing to bet a few weeks or a month after the release there will be a demo. Sounds like they're more worried about getting the game released than worrying about the PR, which to me is a refreshing change.

On a side note, what other type of media/entertainment do you generally get to sample something of the finished product for free thats as robust as demos from games?

LOL-

Yeah, that's so true, singe. These are the same crack smokers that will be whining when they can't figure out how to warez it.

Dayknight

Interesting to see that no one seems to put any faith in reviews these days.
Surely this is the best recourse when no demo is available...?

No Demo? Then you read comments from others.
Lets hope it takes the experts longer than 40 hours to finish.
Everytime a SP game is released, the kids play it until finished, then say they're bored, or let down.

No demo? No $ale, baby!

I, for one (and maybe the only one), will be BUYING it, playing it and then passing my judgement on. It looks like it could be a winner to me. Guess we'll see. Until then, continue with your whining.....


If that rule applies for every purchase you make, I have a car I'd like to sell you...? How's $5k sound, fair? Trust me...

This comment was edited on Jan 14, 15:33.

They'll probably release a demo when sales slow down. It's a SP only game, having a demo after release is nothing exeptionnal.
It looks like a good game to me (and has nothing to do with "going in hell and coming back" crap that someone was talking about. ).