Buying decision, not so easy...

[NNKK]

When I first ran into SE3, I downloaded Malfador's demo.
It wasn't restricted to how many turns you could play or anything, just had restrictions on technologies and such that made it worthwile to purchase the full Version.
I spent about a week playing Space Empires III before I finnaly decided to fork over the cash for it. I'd played probably several hundred to a thousand turns.
Now enter SE4... so far the game itself looks good aside from some bugs which apparently still exist in the gold demo, and a few interface design decisions that I'm sure I'll get used to.
But there's a catch... I can only play the demo for 100 turns at a game, in addition to the technology restrictions.
Now while it's entirely up to the author/publisher to decide how the demo is to operate, I must say that I think 100 turns per game on a demo may be a very bad idea, as it is affecting my decision about wether or not to buy the full game a *lot*.
Prehaps if it was 200 turns I'd be able to make the decision, but then what about the next guy who needs 300? or 500? there are going to be people who really do not have much money to spend on games and would like to be really sure before purchasing a game... my budget is not that my life would be affected if I bought a game and later felt the money wasn't worth it, but I would prefer not to throw money away, and it may be easier to simply not purchase the game than not be sure if I'm going to like it.

In summary, turn limit on the demo was probably just a bad idea... if you wanted to be sure, put other restrictions on the demo, say restrict the quadrant size, or make races less customizable.
As it is I feel very much like I'm playing a SEVERELY crippled and stripped down Version of the game that really doesn't allow me to easily decide wether or not I really want this game.

EDIT: I think I should add just so there's no misunderstanding here, that this is in no way a flame towards anyone... I'm not trying to make anyone look stupid or anything, I'm just pointing out that it may not have been a good decision to limit the number of turns in the demo.

[This message has been edited by NNKK (edited 13 October 2000).]

[DanL]

I agree, they should have done a demo like the Reach for the Stars demo. RFTS might be inferior to SE4 but the demo sure wasn't!

Just do like RFTS demo did and include a mini map or something that gives you an idea of the full game, more or less. And be able to play ONE full game on the demo map (with restricted options of course).

Just my opinion....

[General Hawkwing]

I would have to disagree about the turn limit. At first I felt like you did but after playing through several games I think the turn limit helps to make a choice. Remember, you can see different aspects of the game by setting the starting planet number and technology level/cost at the beginnning. The turn limit forces you to restart games, which makes you relook at the game setup again and again. This made me choose many different options for race design, tech level/cost and quadrant size/design. It helped to demonstrate the many facets of the game to me. If the gold demo shows better AI in a few areas, then SE4 is a buy!

[NNKK]

Can't agree with you Hawkwing, though you do bring up a good point.
I'd rather buy a game such as Space Empires III/IV knowing how a game flows, not neccisarily the options for creating one
I managed to play through 100 turns pretty quick with several other AI opponents in game and at the end there was still no clear winner, and I was ranked 2nd, and I probably could have won if I'd had 30 or so more turns, but then I might not have. (on .56... can't really play .99 since everything moves soooo sloowwww)

[Master Belisarius]

I hate the 100 turns limit like everybody here... but guys, business are business. And in my humble opinion, I think that MM can lose more clients without the 100 turn limit, rather than keeping the limit.
A demo it's only a demo, and at least this is a playable demo.
I can remember that the Alpha Centaury (SMAC) demo had a 100 turns limit, and SMAC sold a lot of copies, although was really a very limited time (it's not possible to finish a SMAC game in 100 turns, but I have finished a LOT of SE4 games before the turn 100).
If you start games with 5 or 10 planets in a small galaxy, and all the tech, it's pretty easy finish a SE4 game... Sure, if you want to play epic games in large galaxies, starting with only one planet and without starting tech, then you will be unable to finish the game... but as I said, it's only a demo.
By the way: in my multiplayer SE3 games, I never have played a game during 100 turns... the more large game was finished in 80 turns.

[Blue Lord]

I don't like playing with the turn limit, wich means that I don't play the SE4 demo that much. But I still think that you should keep the turn limit. Why? Because after playing the 100 turns, and want more you scream "I want more!" and buy the game.
Now, since the game isn't out yet the ONLY thing we can do is to scream "I WANT more!" over and over again. So you'll end up with waiting for the full release: 1st November
(I wanna have that game!!!)