Xbox Game Pass has become a cornerstone of the Xbox ecosystem, a real feather in the platform's cap. However, we can admit that it's not perfect, so, should Microsoft take a leaf out of Sony's book with a reported new feature coming to PlayStation?
That feature is a service-wide game trials system that is supposedly in the works for the upcoming PS Plus Premium. Apparently, it'll be put in place for all games priced $34 or higher, giving users a way to test games ahead of picking them up.
The report says that it'll focus on timed trials, and that those "trial versions must be at least two hours long". It also mentions that Sony seems to be open about swapping time trials to "custom game demos" if the developer sees fit, which we'd assume could work for shorter games that wouldn't benefit from a time trial system.
This whole report got us thinking that maybe Xbox should implement something similar. The Game Pass library is brilliant and of course, you can test any of those games out with a simple download or cloud session. However, it'd be great if the service offered a trial system as another perk for subscribers, so we could test literally any Xbox Store title out for a limited time.
We understand that PS Plus Premium is more costly than Game Pass or Game Pass Ultimate, at least monthly, but such a move could provide another opportunity for Xbox. They could swap out Games with Gold for said trial system. Sure, that'd mean we're losing a feature and Xbox would probably have to roll trials out to normal gold subscribers too, but it'd avoid the negative GWG press and could allow Xbox to keep its current subscription costs lower.
The whole concept also reminds us of the old Xbox Live Arcade system we had in the Xbox 360 days. Back then, all Arcade games had a 2-hour trial period and it provided a brilliant way to test games out before purchase. In all honesty, adding something similar seems a win-win for Xbox!
But, what do you think? Should Xbox bring back game trials/demos as a subscription perk? Vote in the poll and let us know!
Comments 22
I think this is a great idea, will prevent people getting scammed from paying full price for games like cyberpunk and babylons fall
There is no need for this on game pass. I would love to have trials/demos for all games, but it should be free on the store for people to try, not attached to a subscription service, doesn't matter if PS Plus or Game Pass.
@edusoares I also don't agree with basically forcing developers to create the time trial or demo. I personally think the resources that would be used to create it would be better put to use on the actual game development.
Should Game Pass Ultimate Add Free Trials For All Xbox Games?
No. Free trials for all xbox gamers, regardless of tier or system.
@PhhhCough Based, I came here to say this.
All games should have a trial period regardless of subscriptions.
In an age of Cyberpunks, customers need to be able to properly test the product they are giving their hard earned money up for.
Honestly I think it’s a great idea. In the days of the 360 nearly every game had a demo. That would be great if we had that again.
"should Microsoft take a leaf out of Sony's book with a reported new feature coming to PlayStation?"
How about no! And here is a crazy thought - if you plan game demos/trials don't lock it behind a subscription pay wall, make accessible to all your storefront customers.....nuts, right?
It's ridiculous that you basically advertise an anti consumer approach here.
Forcing demos on devs is a stupid idea. Now games will probably be delayed more because of extra work the devs have to do. Just my 2 cents.
Sony are only doing it so they don't have to give refunds. But yes Microsoft so do something similar
@Richnj So we punish all developers for the initial failure of CP?
I would rather the developers use their resources for polishing or improving the game rather than having to package a demo.
@awp69
But it's not a demo is it? It's a free trial something completely different it just let's you play the first hour or two When the game released , its not that hard for devs too do unlike a demo
@sakanakami I agree it shouldn't be forced to create a demo, but it helps a lot to be able to try a game before buy.
One idea would be to enforce some kind of 'store level' trial, where the developer inform how long they allow their game to be played for free. Usally EA do this on EA Play, you can play the game for x amount of hours for free. This would already help a lot without sacrificing development time and the developer would be free to set how much time, with a 10 minutes minimum.
Xbox already has a system like that, it would be a matter of enforce its use, I don't think it would have any negative effect on developers, as there would be no need for special codes or anything.
@suikoden Yeah, timed trial is a 'store level', 'system level' thing. Developer doesn't need to do anything, just inform in the store at publishing time how long the game can be played for free.
@BundyDanger "Punish" is a very strong word for wanting a system level standard of trials.
Did MS punish every XBLA dev?, are devs punished when they do free trial weekends? Are the devs that do trials now, punished? No, of course not. They are just communicating to MS they are OK with it and MS does the work.
To allow all games to be trialed first would just be a matter of figuring out an appropriate trial length, and MS would put that timer in place.
It would actually be a lot less "punishing" on devs than another system level feature, achievements, because the dev wouldn't have to put in all the time and effort of compiling and testing the feature.
I think trials are pointless for a service offering you the whole game to try before you buy on Game Pass. With streaming on consoles, I can 'try' the game before I decide whether its worth waiting to download and install, whether its worth juggling the limited SSD storage space to make room for it etc.
You can try games like Plague Tale: Requiem, Starcraft, Redfall etc before you decide whether or not you want to 'buy' the game to support the developers and purchase the game. With so many complete newly released games offered every month to 'try' for free, you don't need trials. It may work for Sony who want to sell you $70 games (like Returnal) which may of put off people from committing to purchase to find out whether they like it or not, but if it was on a service like Game Pass, people would be able to try it anyway and decide if they want to 'keep' it permanently.
Bit split on this.
Generally loved demos of all games the X360 generation. However making a good demo is hard. I was put off buying several games due to bad demos and I later ended up enjoying the game. It also takes developer time, unless this is just a timed unlock of the main game with achievements blocked, but unlocking retroactively on purchase.
There's no major need for this on Game Pass, though it does offer a small niche benefit that you could trial games without unlocking achievements. (Useful for some achievement hunters who doing want 10/1000 tarnishing their records)
Also missed the option. "Yes, but I also want to see GWG disappear or better yet improve."
I can't believe people think trials and demos are a waste of time, how often do you throw £60 away on a new game and find out it's garbage or just not for you?
Monster Hunter
Elite dangerous
Far cry new dawn
Fallout 76
Elder Scrolls online
The list is endless for me and if you don't want to bother with them then you don't have too.
Also people seem to think that it will only be for game pass games? Tbf it may be pointless but I'd rather try out a smaller download than commit to a full 100gb, especially as streaming isn't always available.
More choice is always good.
It'd be good to see, but not just for GPU customers. You shouldn't have to pay a fee to try them out. If you HAVE to charge then maybe just the regular Gold tier.
Whether they are 'beneficial' or not is irrelevant, they still shouldn't be hidden behind a paywall!!!
A 'free' trial to decide whether or not you want to 'buy' that game is NOT beneficial if its hidden behind a Paywall offering free brand new complete games. The purpose of a 'trial' is to sell the game to those on the 'fence' about buying and should be 'free' to all, not hidden behind a paywall.
I can understand with Sony, Returnal sold poorly for such an award winning game where maybe a 'free' trial would of convinced more to buy at that 'expensive' price point. However, it would still make more sense to offer that 'trial' to EVERYONE, not just to Subscribers who can download complete, full games to play for free...
This blog's ability to generate stupid articles is unprecedented.
Personally i don't care nor do i think I'll be ever care as there are too many games in GP i want to play for my available game time so i already have my game trials...it's playing it in gamepass. Playing through xcloud and not having to download is the game trial that i wanted.
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