"Game Demo Design: Understanding what makes a game demo effective in engaging players"
"Game Demo Design: Understanding what makes a game demo effective in engaging players"
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For 3 months I played, analyzed and categorized over 30 demos to understand what makes a demo engaging as a standalone feature. Together with theoretical research on engagement and game design, I wrote my bachelor thesis and concluded that a demo that engages players needs specific design choices all through the demo to quickly engage players rather than simply providing a shorter version of the game.
Why are demos important?
Why are demos important?
With thousands of games releasing every year, players must always make choices on what to play and demos are ways to help players choose a game. A good demo can help a player decide on pursuing the final game, while also bring attention to the game as players play, discuss and share it.
If you are interested in receiving feedback for your existing demo or want a demo designed for your game, reach out via email: isabelacostarotta@gmail.com
Practical work on demo design.
Practical work on demo design.
At the end of my thesis, I created a framework to help other developers to design their demos. This framework was done by analyzing different feats on the demos played and understanding what makes them engaging. While not a rule, the goal of the framework is to guide developers on how to adapt the full game experience into a quickly engaging demo.
After the thesis I then applied the knowledge by collaborating with developers showcasing the game with RAW Talent on designing their Gamescom demos. Each game received a 7-10 page long document detailing or analyzing the main sections of their demo. Following are the demos I helped create for the event:
Example section of the Demo Framework I designed
Tony the Mole - LUCKYTAPE games
While Tony the Mole's demo was near perfect, I noticed that there was not enough showing what players can expect on the Collectathon aspect of the game, making the meta loop unclear.
MESO - KissingSquares
For ludic game like MESO, where players must fight the controls to control a cell creature, the demo must intrigue players on why they want to play the full game. I guided them to emphasize the mastery over the controls aspect of the game by making it a score based competition during the event.
Paragon's Hand - Myriad Tales
While most TCG games focus on the combat, Paragon's Hand also focuses on the culture of trading and collecting cards. I helped the developers to create hooks and features to make players excited to play the final game.
For Raha - Lili
An impactful 2D interactive fiction. My main feedback focused on giving players narrative hooks that hint to what the rest of the story will tell.
Cardboard Catacombs
As a 3D level editor, Cardboard Catacombs did not have a clear goal to interest players. I gave the developers solutions on how to transform their experience into a fun and engaging demo by creating challenges players have to face and set to others.
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