What is a game demo?
A game demo is a freely distributed, feature-limited demonstration of a video game. It allows consumers to try a trial portion of the game before purchasing the rest.
Questions about Game demo
Short answers, pulled from the story.
When did shareware distribution become popular for games?
Shareware distribution became a popular method for publishing games in the early 1990s. Smaller developers like Apogee Software used this model to reach consumers during that time.
How were game demos distributed on physical media in the 1990s?
Game demos appeared on single 5-inch floppy disks and later 3.5-inch floppies sold cheaply in stores. A game demo cover disk distributed with Amiga Format magazine appeared in 1993 as physical media marking a shift in how players accessed trial versions.
Why do self-contained demos differ from shareware files?
Self-contained demos functioned as complete units separate from paid versions unlike shareware which allowed seamless upgrades. Players retained saved games on Descent shareware but not on Descent II demo because demos required fresh installation if players wanted the complete game.
What are the two variations of game demos available today?
Game demos come in two variations: playable and non-playable rolling demos. Playable demos generally have exactly same gameplay as upcoming full game while non-playable demos serve as gaming equivalent of teaser trailer displayed at conventions.