Demo version

[Sbuiko]

There is no demo version. Especially since the gameplay sounds innovative, only a demo version of the game can give me the information I want. People will pop in here and suggest to watch walkthroughs or read information pages of various breeds. Those are not a demo version of the game. I need to check out the quality of the GUI and Mechanics myself, and therefore third party information does not help.

No demo, no buy.

[Alblaka]

Afaik there is some sort of demo. At the very least, there's a full 'demo sector' and stuff like that in the code. May the intend to release a demo in future?

[Hissatsu]

Honestly, i dont understand you guys. If you are not sure wether or not you will like it, DL a torrent and see for yourself. If you dont like it - dont play it. If you like it - pay money to developers and continue playing. I see no harm in doing it (no matter what negative opinion they try to create about piracy).

[Sbuiko]

Not unless the developer is Ok with that approach. I had one smallish indy developer suggest that illegal road, and I bought the game. But I won't do it because some random forum goer suggests it as "normal".

[Disc10]

If you dont like it - dont play it. If you like it - pay money to developers and continue playing

Yea, except it's very hard for most people to not find some pathetic little excuse as to why they shouldn't pay for the entire game they just played. Hell, people who've paid will complain about how they shouldn't of done, despite putting hours and hours into it.

There are lets plays, reviews and testimonials (of a sort) around the internet. That's plenty of information to go on already, especially for this kind of game. I agree that there should be a demo, as should be the case for every game, but it's not like you're purchasing blind.

EDIT: I know you don't like those options but to be blunt that's kinda tough if you're avoiding the piracy route (as you should). All we can do is ask for a demo version and until then use the avenues available to you, or as you say just don't buy the thing. Which is a shame, because it's a very cool game, but that's your right to decide and frankly good consumer sense.

[Agent_L]

As an owner of fully paid version I oppose to demo. I'd rather see devs working toward enhancing the product than waste time preparing demo for ppl who can't make up their minds.

[boa13]

While demos are nice to have, I think someone who has doubts about buying the game can make up his or her mind with all the player-created videos on YouTube.

[Disc10]

As an owner of fully paid version I oppose to demo. I'd rather see devs working toward enhancing the product than waste time preparing demo for ppl who can't make up their minds.

Because driving away customers who are quite right in being cautious with their purchases is an ace idea.

$10 (or about £6 for me) might not seem like a lot, but to put it in context that's enough money for me to get my lunches at work for a week, assuming I'm not doing overtime (cheap arse supermarket cafeteria food ftw ). If I had any doubts it'd stick with extra lunch money.

[Agent_L]

As an owner of fully paid version I oppose to demo. I'd rather see devs working toward enhancing the product than waste time preparing demo for ppl who can't make up their minds.

Because driving away customers who are quite right in being cautious with their purchases is an ace idea.

Descriptions and videos say it all. This game is special (in context of contemporary games), ppl who are doubting they'll enjoy it, probably won't. Demo will just ensure them not to buy.

There are many and very long threads on this very forum about how ppl are unable to comprehend the randomness and difficulty. Having a quickie with demo one can't understand won't encourage anyone.

I strongly believe that demo for FTL will do very little good, while costs of creating a demo for 2-man team will be huge.

[icepick]

There is a demo planned. If you want official word, it should still say so in the faq on the home page.