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General discussion (archive)Why Are There No Demos On GOG?(17 posts)(17 posts)
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Posted April 12, 2011
I don't mean to double post (by that I mean that I've already got another topic running that I created yesterday) but I've got a stupid question that's probably already been answered.

Why is it that GOG doesn't host any demos for the games that they sell? The reason I ask this is because a few months ago, I saw that Neverwinter Nights was on sale, and I wanted to play the demo to see if I liked it. I did a search for the demo, and downloaded it off of File Planet. However, I thought it was odd that though Good Old Games now sells the game, they don't offer a demo download, even though a demo exists.

Is it a legal reason, like they can't host the demo, as it was created by someone else? Or is there some other reason?

Sorry if this question has been asked before...
Posted April 12, 2011
high rated
It is expensive to import bandwidth here to the arctic tundra of Poland. We have to transport the bandwidth in via donkey-drawn cart, and we lose about 50% of the packets to roaming wild polar bears. So giving free demo downloads would cost us money, yes, but it would also lead to the deaths of countless donkeys.

Do you want the deaths of those noble steeds on your mind? Do you?
Posted April 12, 2011
Karlallen is (was?) maintaining a listing of GOG demo downloads here:

http://www.gog.com/en/forum/general/demo_links_for_current_gog_games
Posted April 12, 2011
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cogadh: Karlallen is (was?) maintaining a listing of GOG demo downloads here:

http://www.gog.com/en/forum/general/demo_links_for_current_gog_games
Which could use a disclaimer notice about compatibility probably not being on par with GOG releases.
Posted April 12, 2011
I agree with the EnigmaticT (and not just because he's part of the GOG team and would know about such things); the profit margin for GOG games has to be pretty small, given their actual prices and the fact that they still have to pay a portion of that out. I'm amazed they offer the extras that they do and even have some free games; demos are a luxury that can be found elsewhere. Or to put another slant on it, if you've come to GOG and are interested in old games, you probably know enough about the game in question that a demo isn't necessary...
Posted April 12, 2011
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TheEnigmaticT: It is expensive to import bandwidth here to the arctic tundra of Poland. We have to transport the bandwidth in via donkey-drawn cart, and we lose about 50% of the packets to roaming wild polar bears. So giving free demo downloads would cost us money, yes, but it would also lead to the deaths of countless donkeys.

Do you want the deaths of those noble steeds on your mind? Do you?
Very good answer - but how about re-directed links?
Posted April 12, 2011
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TheEnigmaticT: It is expensive to import bandwidth here to the arctic tundra of Poland. We have to transport the bandwidth in via donkey-drawn cart, and we lose about 50% of the packets to roaming wild polar bears. So giving free demo downloads would cost us money, yes, but it would also lead to the deaths of countless donkeys.

Do you want the deaths of those noble steeds on your mind? Do you?
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Lou: Very good answer - but how about re-directed links?
I think the roaming polar bears stole them.
Posted April 12, 2011
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Lou: Very good answer - but how about re-directed links?
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Whiteblade999: I think the roaming polar bears stole them.
Damn roaming polar bears. Damn them all.
Posted April 12, 2011
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TheEnigmaticT: It is expensive to import bandwidth here to the arctic tundra of Poland. We have to transport the bandwidth in via donkey-drawn cart, and we lose about 50% of the packets to roaming wild polar bears. So giving free demo downloads would cost us money, yes, but it would also lead to the deaths of countless donkeys.

Do you want the deaths of those noble steeds on your mind? Do you?
No, I would not want those valiant steeds to waste their lives on such petty things as demos. Such a thought causes my stomach to turn in disgust. I couldn't live with myself if I knew that thousands of donkeys died, just so I could play a demo of Earthworm Jim.

But in all seriousness, I was just curious as to why there weren't any demos. Thank you for replying, TheEnigmaticT.
Posted April 12, 2011
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MaxWilco: No, I would not want those valiant steeds to waste their lives on such petty things as demos. Such a thought causes my stomach to turn in disgust. I couldn't live with myself if I knew that thousands of donkeys died, just so I could play a demo of Earthworm Jim.

But in all seriousness, I was just curious as to why there weren't any demos. Thank you for replying, TheEnigmaticT.
The most probable answer beside bandwidth cost is that game Demos that are available are no longer proper presentation of the state of games available at GOG for several reasons:

1. Demos are based on archaid versions of games so may suffer from many bugs and poor performance not present in fully patched games. All GOG games come with latest official patches applied.

2. They may suffer from problems and incompatibility caused by DRM (Who's funny idea was it to put DRM in Demos in first place!?). GOG games are DRM free.

3. GOG provides modern installers as well as compatibility (support for modern operating systems) and bug fixes for games they sell that are not present on either retail version nor demos.

And before you ask, GOG does not have access to game source code so they're unable to build new versions of the demos to provide more accurate presentation of the state of the games they provide.
Post edited April 12, 2011 by Petrell
Posted April 12, 2011
STEAM has a lot of demos for games. Go play the demo there then come back here to GoG to buy the game :)

Xbox 360 LIVE has demos of everything they sell. It;'s required. Might find the demo you want there too then come back here for the game.

Support GoG! :)
Posted April 12, 2011
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GameRager: I'll tell ya why, OP.....it's cuz you TOUCH YOURSELF AT NIGHT......m'kay?
lol some one is probably drinking :P I am drinking my self too...
Posted April 13, 2011
I think at <$10 they are aiming more for impulse purchases rather than carefully considered ones, which might have something to do with it. Also I bet most games purchased have been played before by the buyer, or are very well known to the buyer, decreasing the need for a demo.

Personally I make all my game purchase decisions based off youtube gameplay videos. Search any game title plus "gameplay" on youtube and you will get endless lengthy examples of what to expect from any game, new or old.
Posted April 13, 2011
i cant imagine the pain of gog making separate demo of each game bundled with dosbox and the custom installer for FREE and such a waste of bandwidth, man power etc etc
here is a hint download GFWL for playing demos :P
Posted April 13, 2011
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GameRager: Well, everything except maybe if your flavor of Win7 will run a handful of titles on here or not....:\
Well, GOG list which games support Win7 I believe. Also as a Win7 user since the first release candidate I have never had any trouble running any GOG purchases.
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General discussion (archive)Why Are There No Demos On GOG?(17 posts)(17 posts)
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