"Degradable" Game Demos
 

http://www.siliconera.com/2010/03/04...eo-game-demos/

Pretty interesting concept:

Sony Patents Degradable Video Game Demos

By Spencer . March 4, 2010 . 6:16pm
http://www.siliconera.com/wordpress/...ge_thumb86.pngSony appears to be working on a new kind of video <nobr style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 100%; color: darkgreen;" id="itxt_nobr_0_0">gamehttp://images.intellitxt.com/ast/adTypes/2_bing.gif</nobr> demo. A patent filed by SCEA details a system that gives users a full or nearly complete game to play with, but slowly removes features until you buy it.

The software has customizable triggers that disable features after a set number of plays or lapsed play time. Let’s see some theoretical examples of how this could work.

In one scenario your weapon is weakened or replaced with a less powerful one after so many hours playing the game. Think of it as a timed level down.

Another idea <nobr style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 100%; color: darkgreen;" id="itxt_nobr_4_0">Sonyhttp://images.intellitxt.com/ast/adTypes/2_bing.gif</nobr> has is to remove levels, race tracks in this example, after you reach a certain number of plays. When you finally buy the game (bottom right) you can use all of the tracks again.

Removing weapons and playable characters are on the table too. Sony’s patent also lists subtle ideas such as softening sound effects, changing color depth, and/or brightness as other ways to encourage players to purchase a full version. In all cases, you can still play the game, just a limited version of it.

The patent says this system is better than current demos because degradable demos can be distributed on physical media and players can see the whole game for a limited amount of time. In other words, this system is “nag screen 2.0” that can be distributed on a disc and restored with an unlock key.

with the problems with authentification both of the HD consoles have run into, this seems a terrible idea. Well, great for them, terrible for us.

That said, portions of this are great. Some of it looks more like an annoyance than a boon.

I'll stick to d/ling demos off Live and PSN. Don't need the old school PSX/AOL days of 234780234067235 demo discs lying around coming back.

Possibly a great idea for the modding community. I'm sure someone will find a way to deactivate the degredation or 'flag' your game as purchased.

Wow, stupidest idea I have heard from Sony.

Not really. Guy could get the demo, get pretty far into it and get hooked on the story/gameplay, then go buy it, profit for Sony.

And I'm sure pressing the full game to BD instead of digital distribution will be worth the possible profit.

BD?

Blu Ray Discs?

They're called BD. BD ROM, BD RE, BD with grape juice....

Yeah get with the times ROXER

ROM?

Rap on Metal.

The original audio discs were all Rap artists.

Also:

God, most of those were fucking terrible, too.