It appears that Sony may have plans to implement a demo system which will gradually degrade the player’s experience as they move through the game.
Gamasutra is reporting that Sony Computer Entertainment has filed a patent which would reduce player functionality and opportunities as the demo progressed – urging the player to buy the full game.
According to Siliconera the patent, which has already been granted, “implements trigger metrics to erode game play characteristics, such as character, object, event and/or environmental features.”
A diagram posted by Sony as part of the patent application even shows a player’s sword getting gradually smaller as additional hours are logged.
At a later stage the player may even be given the chance to unlock the game by purchasing a code. This might reset the title or restore it to its previous glory.
“It may be desirable to implement demonstration versions of video games in a manner that more fully promotes the features or characteristics of the game while still providing protections that will induce gamers to purchase the right to use the video game,” said the Patent.
Although this might not go down well to begin with, if Sony manages to pull off such a scheme it may see the growth of an entirely new method of distribution – one which inevitably benefits the gamer.
Not every title comes equipped with a comprehensive demo pre release. As a result consumers are generally left sticking to premium AAA titles, as opposed to taking a chance on an unknown release.
A more developed ‘try before you buy’ system may not only give the gamer another way in which to purchase titles, but it might also serve to even the playing fields out a little between super publishers such as Activision and smaller independent studios.
Such an arrangement might even offer fresh IP titles a shot at the big time, based on, wait for it, merit – and not an oversized marketing budget.
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