Are Game Demos just a marketing ploy?

It seems that there are countless companies all promising free pc games for download on the internet. Usually, these promises are delivered by providing customers free pc game demos. These pc game demo downloads are generally trials of the full game, but expire after the game is played for an allotted amount of time. PC game demos have become a popular way for marketers to promote interest in games in an overcrowded market.

What are the various types of strategies used when marketing PC games?

There are a variety of methods marketers use to generate hype for pc games. One of the most popular methods involves enticing gamers to play a portion of the game through playable demos. Also referred to as shareware, trial versions or freeware, this method is especially effective for several reasons. First, there are no financial commitments made by the consumer. This opens up broader market segments, as consumers may actually try it out given that it is free and would have likely passed on the game as well. Statistically speaking, a certain percentage of these same consumers will end up purchasing the game once they play it. These are the same customers who without the trial version wouldn't have given the game a second thought. This method is also effective because there is a limited amount of risk assumed by the distributor. The distributor has minimal expenses as there is no physical product to produce, ship or stor e. They simply create a website for the game, or games and market the website in a few key areas.

Where are downloadable pc game demos located on the internet?

There are countless sites across the internet which offer playable pc game demos. Although there are generally no risks associated with the demo versions themselves, some demo pc games are packaged with spyware and viruses which can wreck havoc with your computer. This can usually be avoided if only reputable sites are used to download pc game demos. Likewise a good anti-spyware program like Ad-Aware, available for free at www.cnet.com, can detect and eliminate most types of spyware. A good anti-virus utility, like McAfee Anti-Virus is also recommended. The following are a few of the more reputable sites for pc game demo downloads.

MSN Games

The gaming channel on MSN, www.games.msn.com, offers a fairly large assortment of downloadable demo version of popular pc games. MSN Games offers close to 400 different downloadable ga mes, many of which offer players a free trial version. They have titles like Bejeweled, Tik's Texas Hold 'Em, Zuma Deluxe and Fish Tycoon. MSN Games downloadable game demos usually expire after 30 minutes to an hour after you've begun playing the game. MSN Games also offers a list of their hottest downloads, cash games and provides users with the latest gaming news. MSN Games provides players with free technical support and the ability to send their favorite games as gifts.

PC Gameworld

PC Gameworld, www.pcgameworld.com, provides gamers a substantial database of pc gaming information. They have over 1,000 of the top pc games available for demo trials including new pc game demos. Some of their hottest demos include Company of Heroes, ProStroke Golf: World Tour 2007, Flight Simulator X and America's Army: Special Forces. PC Gameworld also provides pc game reviews, the latest news and previews for up and coming pc games. PC Gameworld also offers visitors console gaming information, tips, chea ts and news. Additionally, PC Gameworld has several forums specifically for pc gamers.

Game Spot

Game Spot offer a huge assortment of information for both pc and console gamers of all levels. They offer comprehensive reviews, previews and breaking gaming news. Game Spot also allows gamers to rate and review games, allowing other gamers to get a much broader opinion of the game. There are over 100 major free pc game demos available for download including Warhammer: 40,000: Dawn of War: Dark Crusade Demo, Dark Messiah of Might and Magic Single- Player Demo and Broken Sword: The Angel of Death Demo. At www.gamespot.com, gamers also have the option to participate in interactive gaming forums, watch pc game trailers and get information for console gaming as well.

Game Daily

Game Daily, part of the AOL family, offers a variety of free downloadable pc game demos on their website, www.pc.gamedaily.com. They offer the newest titles like World of Warcraft, Star Wars Empires at War and the Dark Age of Camelot for pc game demo downloads. Game Daily also has a huge database of pc game reviews, previews, tips, hints and guides. Game Daily provides pc gamers with access to the latest gaming news, forums and blogs too.

These are just a few of the sites that offer pc game demo downloads. A simple internet search for free pc game demos yields thousands of results, some, like the ones listed above are much better than others.