Prey demo to be released on Jun 22, 2006

[George Broussard]

I think demo will clock in at around an hour for most people, and we hope that people apreciate that, in contrast to the single level, 5-10 minute demos, in lots of cases.

We could have cut both shorter, but why do that? If someone doesn't like your demo, it's likely that they know that within 10-15 minutes. But lots of people are on the fence and need a little more time to be absorbed into the game world. Doing a longer demo just feels like the right thing to do and goes back to our shareware roots of "try before you buy".

[George Broussard]

Originally Posted by g-dog

I think ^^^^ he's just concerned it might "spoil" the greatest of the full release...which I concur. However, if the 5 levels are 'small' ... then ok.

It is going to spoil the start of the game, but if you are certain you wll buy the game anyway, then just skip the demo. I know this is hard to do in practice

[8IronBob]

Yeah, if there WAS any word on a PC demo, we would've known about that right here on 3DR's own website by now... Plus web traffic would be at a screeching halt because of it...

[Micki!]

Originally Posted by 8IronBob

Yeah, if there WAS any word on a PC demo, we would've known about that right here on 3DR's own website by now... Plus web traffic would be at a screeching halt because of it...

Tim just said that there would be a PC demo on the 22 June on the previous page..!

[FireFly]

I'm going to try and avoid playing the demo, (or at least the SP part). Hopefully I'll have the willpower.

[RedSplat]

YES! We get to play the bar-scene in the Demo. Right?

[Cerberus_e]

I won't avoid the demo. I don't concider the demo as a spoiler since I get to experience everything MYSELF, unlike watching a video.
It's only too bad the demo is released in the middle of the exam period (it wouldn't be a problem if it was Friday, but the 22nd is a Thursday). But oh well you can't have everything, I'm already happy it's before the full game.

[avatar_58]

Originally Posted by George Broussard

I think demo will clock in at around an hour for most people, and we hope that people apreciate that, in contrast to the single level, 5-10 minute demos, in lots of cases.

We could have cut both shorter, but why do that? If someone doesn't like your demo, it's likely that they know that within 10-15 minutes. But lots of people are on the fence and need a little more time to be absorbed into the game world. Doing a longer demo just feels like the right thing to do and goes back to our shareware roots of "try before you buy".

Back to the shareware days eh? How big will this download be?

[Hudson]

PC Demo?

[Hudson]

Originally Posted by George Broussard

I think demo will clock in at around an hour for most people, and we hope that people apreciate that, in contrast to the single level, 5-10 minute demos, in lots of cases.

We could have cut both shorter, but why do that? If someone doesn't like your demo, it's likely that they know that within 10-15 minutes. But lots of people are on the fence and need a little more time to be absorbed into the game world. Doing a longer demo just feels like the right thing to do and goes back to our shareware roots of "try before you buy".

Glad to hear it! Shareware was an excellent idea and i'm glad to see you're still going with it.

[Joe Siegler]

Originally Posted by 8IronBob

Yeah, if there WAS any word on a PC demo, we would've known about that right here on 3DR's own website by now... Plus web traffic would be at a screeching halt because of it...

Huh? Did you read the front page of our site?

[dhalsted]

Originally Posted by Ouroboros314

Hey, I have been viewing these forums for about a year now and have finally decided to speak up. Any way, do you think the sp levels will be taken from the actual sp experience in Prey or will they be their own entity to demonstrate the portal technology and creative skill that Human Head has so precisely used to develope the game?

I believe you're asking about the multiplayer maps, right? They use all those single-player features (gravity, spirit, wallwalk, weapons, etc.), but they are entirely new levels designed for multiplayer flow. i.e. They're not sections of singleplayer ripped out and "dm-ified", though at least one is based on an sp level's theme, and all of course have the "Prey look".

- Dave Halsted


"Oh yeah we Prey, Prey!
Prey, Prey!
We need to Prey just to make it each day."

- MC Hunter

[Cerberus_e]

Originally Posted by Cerberus_e

It's only too bad the demo is released in the middle of the exam period (it wouldn't be a problem if it was Friday, but the 22nd is a Thursday). But oh well you can't have everything, I'm already happy it's before the full game.

I change my opinion, I just thought of the fact that by the time it's Thursday in America, it's already Friday here, so in fact the Thursday release is perfect! If it was a Friday release I would only have it Saturday (like what's often the case with weekly updates).

[Hudson]

Originally Posted by Joe Siegler

Huh? Did you read the front page of our site?

Oh yeah, I guess that would have helped

[Joe Siegler]

I even linked to the story earlier in the thread.

[dark_angel]

Originally Posted by George Broussard

I think demo will clock in at around an hour for most people, and we hope that people apreciate that, in contrast to the single level, 5-10 minute demos, in lots of cases.

We could have cut both shorter, but why do that? If someone doesn't like your demo, it's likely that they know that within 10-15 minutes. But lots of people are on the fence and need a little more time to be absorbed into the game world. Doing a longer demo just feels like the right thing to do and goes back to our shareware roots of "try before you buy".

Excellent!

So basically the demo will be somewhat huge in size ( easily over 500 MB).

[Joe Siegler]

So basically the demo will be somewhat huge in size ( easily over 500 MB).

I asked HH about that today - they said the size is as of yet undetermined. Depends on how the usual optimizations go.

[ultra tree 85!]

Cool!!! I didn't expect the demo to be released so soon. Great news.

[dark_angel]

Originally Posted by Joe Siegler

I asked HH about that today - they said the size is as of yet undetermined. Depends on how the usual optimizations go.

I see.

[George Broussard]

Originally Posted by dark_angel

I see.

500 meg estimate, but it's being put together now, and there isn't a stripped down version with just the demo content. We'll let you know as soon as it's pretty solid. But these days, 100 megs one way or another isn't a big deal.

[Gryph]

I think I'll just skip this demo since I'm 100% sure I will get this game. But it's damn cool to see such a long demo before the game comes out. Yay HH & 3DR!

[Damien_Azreal]

Kick all sorts of ass. This is some of the best news I've heard in a while. Gives me just enough time to finish HL2:E1 and then jump into the PREY demo.

Single player demo with five levels... badass. I love it, demos have been way to short lately and that's kindof annoying. They don't accurately represent the game. So a five level demo sounds very cool... even if they are short levels, your bound to get a better feel of the game.

And mulitPrey to huh? Kick even more ass... a 3dRealms Deathmatch sounds cool.

[avatar_58]

I'd rather wait for the full version, but I KNOW I'll download this....

[Micki!]

Originally Posted by Damien_Azreal

And mulitPrey to huh? Kick even more ass... a 3dRealms Deathmatch sounds cool.

We HAVE to make a 3DR forum Prey-demo server...
If i have to try out Multiprey in this game, it's gonna be with people i know...

[mr mungus]

5 Levels!!!!! 1 hour estimated play???!!!!

If only all demo's were that generous!

[Damien_Azreal]

Originally Posted by Micki!

We HAVE to make a 3DR forum Prey-demo server...
If i have to try out Multiprey in this game, it's gonna be with people i know...

Agreed.

I only seem to enjoy multiplayer when it's with people I know from here. If I jump into a regular server in FEAR... it's not much fun, even if I'm winning.

[SyntaxN]

It´s sounds so unbelievable...after all those years, something playable comes out

[Joe Siegler]

Originally Posted by SyntaxN

It´s sounds so unbelievable...after all those years, something playable comes out

I'm pretty excited about it myself. Can't wait to play multiplayer against people here.

[qwerty]

if the demo already has 5 levels, how much will the full game have ?

[Damien_Azreal]

We get to fight Joe in PREY!

To bad he'll most likely kick my ass, all well. It'll still be fun.

[Micki!]

Originally Posted by Damien_Azreal

Agreed.

I only seem to enjoy multiplayer when it's with people I know from here. If I jump into a regular server in FEAR... it's not much fun, even if I'm winning.

Yeah, i feel exactly the same way...

PS
I'm looking forward to even meet Joe...

[gt1750]

I think I'll get the demo just to see how slow it will run on my laptop (providing it fits within the minimum requirements).

[Agulf]

Heeeeeells yeah!

I take it there will be a 3DR forum server up at June 22 then?

[Damien_Azreal]

Oh shit Agulf your right. Whenever there's a big release (even demo) we get new members out the ass.

[Agulf]

Haha, not exactly what I was thinking, but that might be something to consider!

I was thinking about some multiplayer action for forum members.

[Hudson]

Originally Posted by Joe Siegler

I'm pretty excited about it myself. Can't wait to play multiplayer against people here.

Yeah, when I whoop your ass please don't take it personally

[jazgour]

Yay!!

[psyborg]

i think im gonna skip the SP part and jump into the MP, that way i wont spoil anything from the full version.


who the hell am i kidding i wont be able to resist.

[Damien_Azreal]

Originally Posted by Agulf

Haha, not exactly what I was thinking, but that might be something to consider!

I was thinking about some multiplayer action for forum members.

Yeah... now that I reread your post get it. I think I skimmed through it first and just caught certain words.
Of course there will be some 3DRealms Forums server's up.

[SyntaxN]

I don´t like it to play demos before the "real" game at all, I want a completely fresh feeling when I can move and shoot around for the first time. It´ll be hard to skip this one though