how demos r released

[GarageBand]

May someone give me info of how and when demos r usually released (45mins of gameplay etc.) What are alpha, beta, tech demos?

 

[Matseb2611]

I don't think there's a set in stone amount of gameplay that has to be in the demo. It is purely up to the developer. Usually a demo is a section of the game, most times at the beginning, that showcases what the game is like to potential players and gets them hooked to want to play the rest of the game. So it depends. If you think the first hour of the game will hook the players, then a 1-hour demo is fine. If you think you need more, like 2-3 hours, then that is fine too.

Alpha, if I am not mistaken, is the stage of game development that is really early on, where changes are still being actively made to it and not all the game content is done yet. Beta is usually the first completed draft version that is still being playtested and changes are still made. And after beta is when the full version comes out - version 1.0 so to speak, with polish and thorough bug testing.

 

[Vinedrius]

According to wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Video_game_development

"Alpha is the stage when key gameplay functionality is implemented, and assets are partially finished. A game in alpha is feature complete, that is, game is playable and contains all the major features. These features may be further revised based on testing and feedback. Additional small, new features may be added, similarly planned, but unimplemented features may be dropped. Programmers focus mainly on finishing the codebase, rather than implementing additions."

"Beta is feature and asset complete version of the game, when only bugs are being fixed. This version contains no bugs that prevent the game from being shippable. No changes are made to the game features, assets, or code."

A tech demo is where you show off the capabilities of the engine in action. You don't need a real game in development to show it off.

 

[GarageBand]

So, if its not alpha or beta, its a demo?

 

[Matseb2611]

I think a demo can be alpha in itself, since alpha is not necessarily a complete game.

 

[GarageBand]

I think a demo can be alpha in itself, since alpha is not necessarily a complete game.

So let's say I completed 30% of my game, would that be an alpha? So heres my question, what is the breaking point between demo and alpha?

 

[cabfe]

They're two different meaning.

Alpha and beta refer to progress made while creating the game.

Demo is just a state for a showcase and can happen at any prototype/pre-alpha/alpha/beta/release stage.

You can have a technical demo (showing a battle system, a 3D engine etc.) or a good old demo (playable game but not entirely)

A demo can be feature limited (because it's not complete), time limited (often 1 hour but there are no rules), or progress limited (you can only play until you get to a particular point in story).

 

[Vinedrius]

So let's say I completed 30% of my game, would that be an alpha? So heres my question, what is the breaking point between demo and alpha?

According to wikipedia explanation; alpha phase is when the game is in a state that represents the envisioned final build in terms of gameplay features. Those features may further be modified based on testing and feedback. When everything related to gameplay features are set, the beta phase starts where developers focus on fixing bugs and making sure those features work.

A demo can be released in any phase. "X% completed" doesn't really mean anything for determining which phase the game is in though. In short; if you are still not finished with your game's futures, your game is in alpha phase. If you are passed that stage and focused purely on bug fixing for the most part, then your game is in beta phase.

For example: your game uses an active time battle system and it works but your playtesters tell you that the enemies' AI is too stupid and thus, the battles are too easy and boring but all your other futures are already set. This means you are still in alpha stage and you are supposed to modify the AI so the battles are more engaging. When you and your playtesters are satisfied with your modifications to the battle system and any other gameplay futures are in their final forms, you can take the game into beta phase where you fix the bugs and get ready for an actual release.

 

[GarageBand]

According to wikipedia explanation; alpha phase is when the game is in a state that represents the envisioned final build in terms of gameplay features. Those features may further be modified based on testing and feedback. When everything related to gameplay features are set, the beta phase starts where developers focus on fixing bugs and making sure those features work.

A demo can be released in any phase. "X% completed" doesn't really mean anything for determining which phase the game is in though. In short; if you are still not finished with your game's futures, your game is in alpha phase. If you are passed that stage and focused purely on bug fixing for the most part, then your game is in beta phase.

For example: your game uses an active time battle system and it works but your playtesters tell you that the enemies' AI is too stupid and thus, the battles are too easy and boring but all your other futures are already set. This means you are still in alpha stage and you are supposed to modify the AI so the battles are more engaging. When you and your playtesters are satisfied with your modifications to the battle system and any other gameplay futures are in their final forms, you can take the game into beta phase where you fix the bugs and get ready for an actual release.

Excellent! Thank all of you for your support!

 

[Shaz]

So, if its not alpha or beta, its a demo?

If you're talking about releasing it to the public, giving players a demo to help them decide whether to buy or not, then the demo is last.


Alpha happens near the end of development, and is usually just the development team.


Beta is when you think it's pretty much ready, and give it to other people to play, test, and report bugs.


Demo is when you're ready for release and you provide a demo to players, and if they like it they can buy straight away.


However, as you've seen, there are a number of types of demo. Could be an early demo, before alpha, to show off some feature. Could be a demo of just the first 15 minutes of the game to get feedback on the story or mechanics while you're only half way through development. Or the kind of demo I described - a demo for players, not for getting feedback in order to change the game.


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