Nintendo eShop Demo Limitations Set by Publishers

By Jorge Ba-oh 14.12.2012 3

Nintendo eShop Demo Limitations Set by Publishers on Nintendo gaming news, videos and discussion

Curious about those demo play limits on the Nintendo Wii U and 3DS? These limitations are set by publishers.

Players who access the Nintendo eShop system to download demos for top releases may notice that there is a varying number of times you can give each game a go.

For example the demo of Rayman Legends can be played 30 times, whilst Sonic & Sega All-Star Racing: Transformed is just half that at 15.

Limited tries across games is something not applied to PlayStation 3 or Xbox 360 demos.

Speaking to EuroGamer, Nintendo confirmed that "each publisher has the opportunity to decide how long demos will stay on the eShop, and how many times consumers can play them before they expire".

Once you go above the allocated limit, the system takes you to the relevant eShop page to purchase the download edition. Simply reinstalling the demo won't work either, as the Wii U keeps the play tally for each game even if removed.

What do you think of the limitations on Nintendo eShop demos - should these trial downloads be restricted to a small number of plays or does it help do the job in simply enticing players to buy the full deal?

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Azuardo is online! Azuardo 14.12.2012#1

I don't think it's a big deal. A couple of plays is usually enough to help make your decision to buy a game. I do find it odd that they feel the need to do it on Wii U, but not PS360, though.

Ha, I remember the PlayStation days where I would play demo discs constantly. Back when I was a kid, they felt like games to me in their own right! Thinking about it, it's actually a nice thought that I could put one of those PS1 demos in my PS3 and remind myself of simpler times. I may have to check them out again and get a bit of the old Resi 2 going!

 
Martin_ is offline. Martin_ 16.12.2012#2

As Az says, it's not a big deal, but it is a bit strange. Are these trials of fully-featured software, like say a Photoshop trial? If so, fair enough. If they're standard game demos though (as in, not full games, one level or so), then what's the point in limiting people to a certain amount of plays? If it's the latter, then it seems somewhat draconian.

Azuardo said:
Ha, I remember the PlayStation days where I would play demo discs constantly. Back when I was a kid, they felt like games to me in their own right! Thinking about it, it's actually a nice thought that I could put one of those PS1 demos in my PS3 and remind myself of simpler times. I may have to check them out again and get a bit of the old Resi 2 going!

I remember doing this! I had a really cool demo of RE2 that came with RE1 Director's Cut. It went from the beginning up to the police station, as far as I recall. Aside from assets (it wasn't RE1.5), it was quite different. The route to the station isn't the same, and you meet Ada Wong in the stars office! Wish I still had it.

Here's some videos!

Show Spoiler

Beware of peaky audio. Turn your volume down if you're going to watch those.

 
Phoenom is offline. Phoenom 16.12.2012#3

As long as the limitations are not too low (ace combat only had 3 demo tries in Japan) then I see no problem doing this with demos. A specific example from myself is the Locoroco one on PSP; the demo of that was so satisfying I played it over and over, never bothering to get the full version. I can certainly see why developers would want to limit demos. Smilie

 

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