Quoting: Grammar PoliceOh, maybe you meant "game Demos" ??

You've unnecessarily capitalized a common noun, namely "Demos".

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I do think that demos are hard to nail.  I feel they are a necessity in the Linux world, because nothing really tells me for sure that the game plays without playing the game.  A demo lets me do so without committing funds, but also without the dev just giving the game away (which is insane unless it's FOSS).

PuppyGames, if you read closely, claims that the unregistered version of their game (well, one of them anyway) will render the trailer inside the game's engine rather than video playback.  This is the clever technical wizardry that allows him to perform the function of the demo.  That clearly cannot work for all games, though.  How does one demonstrate joystick/gamepad support via pre-rendered trailer?  How does one demonstrate proper netcode via pre-rendered trailer?  

Speaking of demos, anyone interested in turn-based strategy (esp. TBS set in WWII) ought to check out the Unity of Command demo, and play the test scenario.  The game is wicked fun... I'm trying to convince the devs to post the Linux build up at Desura (along with their Red Turn DLC) as they only have the Windows & Mac versions there.

Moreover, Desura can distribute DLC's now (as seen with the Steel Storm Weapon Shop DLC, and all the Dredmor DLCs), and they can distribute them as standalone archives (Gaslamp does this with Dredmor, Kot-In-Action does not with the Weapon Pack).  So, I would really appreciate any like-minded Linux gamers sending a nice e-mail to [email protected] asking for the Linux build of Unity of Command & the Red Turn DLC.

Anyway, thread hijack over now;  my point, (a single, subjective, data point) was that it was exclusively by playing the UoC demo that I've become convinced to support them and buy their expansion pack, as well.  I'd be interested in expansions and mods beyond Red Turn, even.

Quoting: MammothGravityBattlesAs an indie developer I'm struggling with this too. I have a work in progress demo for my game, that I put out there to get feedback. The trouble is the demo is turning out to be punishingly difficult - great feedback, which is helping me make the final game more playable. Its just that I worry that the demo will have put people off, when its not necessarily representative for the final experience. 

http://www.mammothgravitybattles.com [External Link]

Sounds like you may have benefited from running a small beta for the demo (unless you did that!), so you could not only tune the game, but also gather some feedback to use in managing expectations.  Perhaps there are times when it is proper to pull the demo until it offers the experience your audience really needs to make their decision.  I see no harm in pulling a demo that is causing problems, to replace it with something better later on.  If it's absolutely necessary, maybe it's OK to give up on the demo entirely, though the lack of a demo can introduce some indecision.

Perhaps it would be prudent for some developers to only distribute a Linux demo, reducing the amount of work needed for building and tuning demos on all of the ports.  Gameplay footage may be sufficient, in general, to promise proper functionality for most Windows & Mac games.

In any case, Mammoth Gravity Battles looks neat, and I wish you all the best!

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Quoting: liamdaweWe will never be anything like Phoronix, I just tend to have a poor choice of wording over making shit up...

I have edited it to make it clearer. I hope that is sufficient.

I do tend to forget people have different thought patterns to me, Cheese is usually the first to slap me for that in IRC.

Haha, you have a great community around you here, Liam!  Cheese has a good sense for tactful wording, I completely agree.  We'll keep you in check!
Just keep running the site, bringing in the content, and staying honest & humble.   The difference between GOL and "other sites" is precisely what you've done again and again;  listening to your friends and being flexible.  I'm doubtful that we'll see those characteristics from "other sites" any time soon ;)

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Quoting: liamdaweFunny that Phoronix picks it up just after we do and doesn't credit us when it obviously came from us...been sitting on my to-cover list for days.

Don't worry too much about Phoronix.  We'll just keep making cool content, keeping up with crowd-funding, and continue focusing on games.  The community is too small to get into that B.S., and there's room for everyone to succeed, if we work at it.  Pointing it out, even if they are in the wrong, can only come off looking petty.  Getting ranty on their comment thread probably wasn't exactly necessary.

By now, people know what they're getting over there... possibly incredible insider scoops, lots of hyperbole, and a fairly low hit-to-miss ratio.  What they find here is a constant stream of relevant gaming articles, a friendly community, and the integrity to "fess up" when we mess up.  Gamers will find us, and they will stay!

Also, we already get all the indie scoops first!  It's only upwards from there.  :)

TL;DR ... Stiff upper lip, Liam!  Stay on the high road!

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I can make quoting work, but it is a pain.  I also got an SQL error but misclicked rather than copying the text :-(

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Quoting: liamdaweHmm quoting got broken somehow will find a fix.

Is the game anygood?

Testing quoting.

Also, Totalbiscuit liked SR:R.  He, of course, pointed out flaws, chiefly the checkpointing system (which the devs supposedly implemented due to cost and expediency), but over-all was very impressed.

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With a Linux client, this game would be a prime candidate for a Humble Bundle With Android title, I would think.

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Backed this one on Kickstarter, and have followed it through the various alphas!  It's pretty damn awesome.

Only problem I have with it is that I have to play by myself, and you do not want to play LoD by yourself.  It's not scary or anything;  it's just that once you descend a few levels, you end up in dark rooms, and cannot fight and hold the torch at the same time!  It's a problem...

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So sick of Wine.

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Really stoked about this one! :D

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