Xbox One Now Offers Trial and Unlock Demos

Xbox One Now Offers Trial and Unlock Demos

24
Richard Walker

Xbox One's Games Store has had very few demos in the eight or so months it's been on the market, but that's set to change, as Microsoft has recently implemented an update in which game demos will be available in the same capacity that the were and still are on Xbox 360.

You'll now be able to trial games for free like you do when sampling an Xbox Live Arcade title, before paying to unlock the full version without having to download the whole thing from scratch. You won't find current games on the Xbox One Games Store available to trial, but future titles will.

"When Xbox One launched you could do game demos and you could do games. But we didn't have the functionality that was on Xbox 360 - that 'trial' experience where you could download a demo and then convert it [to a full version]," ID@Xbox boss Chris Charla explained.

"But now we do. In the same way that we update the Xbox One OS every month, they update the development system every month - or regularly, anyway. So that's something that we recently turned on. I don't think we've seen any ID@Xbox games yet that have shipped with trials, but we may well in the future. It's something that's open to everybody."

Microsoft is also looking to make ID@Xbox games more visible on the Xbox Games Store, with no delineation between what qualifies as a game. "On Xbox One, a game is a game is a game. They won't be segregated in any way at all," says Charla.

"Saying that, we have had a lot of player requests for some way to specifically find the ID@Xbox games, so we have talked about adding some functionality so that people can do a search for just the ID@Xbox games," he added. "But anything we did like that would be in addition to our core values which are that they are in the store with everything else."

ID@Xbox titles so far include Strike Suit Zero, Super Time Force, Outlast and Sixty Second Shooter Prime. Four ID@Xbox games launched in the space of one week in June, and the number of indie titles set to make their way to Xbox One is set to increase.

"You can expect lots more games coming. There are literally hundreds of ID@Xbox games in development right now," Charla noted. "There a lot in development for 2015, and some for 2016, too."

The more, the merrier.

[Via Eurogamer]

Comments
24
  • wish there were some more ID games ready to go now, it's been a barren few weeks :(
  • I don't like most of the Indy games. I know I'm part of the minority here but I bought a xbone to play current gen games. If I wanted to play old games or games with horrible graphics I would play old gaming systems. Or use a emulator on my computer.
  • @2 I don't think your part of the minority. People buy a new console for the triple A titles, the Indies and Arcades are just a bonus in my opinion.
  • I'm glad to see that there will be demos for games in the future. Cause there has been a few games I've wanted to try but not buy it just to try it. So this is welcomed with open arms for me.
  • This is good news, and @2 though I slightly agree in what your saying. In the quite periods, the indie and arcade titles have saved me from boredom. And filled the time waiting for AAA games. And its only been, 10mths since xbox one has been out. Plus games take time to make, there has been an economic fk up which hasn't helped. Thank fk there are indie and arcade titles and GWG which will get better.
  • Excellent news. I've probably missed out on a few digital only games, because there was no trial available!
  • I'm not keen on demos that unlock achievements on your profile. Latest Trials game does this and it appeared to prevent me from giving it a try on another profile.
  • @2 while I bought my X1 for much the same reason, the most fun I've had on it so far has been with Guacamelee. I'm sure the latter half of '14 and the big guns of 2015 will change that though; at least I hope so.
  • @2 Pretty sure there ate plenty of indie titles that don't have "horrible graphics", and if a game turns you away just because it isn't hyper realistic in ultra max 1080p 4K blah blah, then you're going to miss out on a lot of great games. Graphics will ALWAYS be secondary to gameplay and story.
  • yet another feature from the 360 that should have been day one on the xbone, still better late than never
  • @9 thats like saying Looks will always be second to personality and character. When we both know a fast majority of todays world are to vain to understand that. And where i agree that there are some extremely playable and addictive bad graphical games over the years i do believe gorgeous graphics immerse you much more and is definitely what the majority of players want, great graphics, great gameplay and great Story. :) Visuals are a huge thing today. For instance HD/Blu-Ray, if people were not bothered by visuals then that business model would not be worth it. Clearly allot of people are and always will strive for that better look. I for one have managed to catch up on some old classic movies/games that are running at 1080p... Movies especially. :) But i do agree that a great game with a great story should not be let down by its visuals.
  • @2 I actually feel a bit sorry for you, having that outlook. Because you will miss out on some truly fantastic games.
  • This was worded as if the trial versions of games were out RIGHT NOW. But they aren't and I have wasted my time looking.
  • I bought the Xbox One to play games on. I don't care about graphics tons certain degree. Its all about the playability. I started my gaming way back in 1986. I had a Commodore 64 and a NES. They had awful graphics, but the games were enjoyable as hell. I ain't going to discriminate a game for how it looks. Too much emphasis is placed on graphics these days. Sure its nice to have a pretty looking game. But if the gameplay sucks, then its a waste of money. Bring on the Indie titles I say.
  • @13 If someone didn't bother to read the actual article, then yeah the title does suggest that. Clearly states in the article though that none of the current games offer it, future titles will though. The system is there now, just needs to be utilized.
  • @11 - well, your comparison with looks and the world is just..wrong. Sure, looks help you meet people, but if you just have a shallow personality, it will lead you nowhere. Same with games, you get used to even the most hyperrealistic graphic within an hour, if the game is a stinker you won't touch it again. And BluRay sales are 20-30% of the homemarket (depending on your territory), the rest is DVDs. So yes, people really don't care that much, and DVDs are here to stay
  • Yet further proof the xbox1 was rushed out. Surely this should of been available from the start? Good they are making it available but its sooo far behind what the user friendly 360 is its unreal.
  • @2, I agree with you, I didn't pay 500$ just to play a bunch of crappy indy titles, I want the big stories, the big games. But, I know that people like those games and it does nothing but good for the industry to diversify. ID@Xbox is great if it helps sell more and get the word out. Same thing goes for Sony, it's great to see all these small developers make games. Back on topic: Trails are good, some games have terrible control schemes and/or terrible plots that don't show through in the advertisements. This way we consumers get better info before we buy. @17 the xbox 360 has also had several big updates and its been out for what 8-9 years? something like that. It takes time to program this stuff and if you look at the level of quality control on these updates, that is astounding to me.
  • @You want the "big stories"? And for you that must be a AAA-title? How does story or character writing have something to do with budget?
  • It's foolish to believe graphics don't play a part in a game's sale. Story, character development, plot and voice acting- all of these play a massive role in any video game's selling point. But we see games like Call of Duty or Battlefield sell millions, and it's not because of their heart-wrenching story filled with Oscar-nominated performances. They sell based on their ability to shoot digital bullets, and the graphics and gameplay are the key points there. Xbox One is currently in this weird little state of not having much content anywhere special. There are a few exclusives, but most of the titles are cross-platform (Titanfall and Watch_Dogs were among the bigger sellers, the sports and shooters were also cross). Hell, I own five games, and only one is an exclusive. Promoting these indie games are awesome, they bring life into a stagnating community. The AAA titles are wonderful, but we get an Assassin's Creed, Call of Duty, and one of every sports title a year. These seem to be the outright best selling titles (with odds-and-ends other big name titles). And One needs more Titanfalls to hit the shelves, with great graphics. I didn't buy this machine for the graphics, but I damn well am entitled to them. It isn't a matter of 'eating my cake and having it too'. Really is 'having and eating', which is what we were promised. Slow start, confusing marketing, and cross-platforming. Once we get into 2015 and the 360 is getting phased out, the One's will become more common placed with much better content. Until then, indie or not, more games = more chances at good content. On topic, trials are a wonderful thing. Wish that would have been from the get-go, but having a chance to check a game out before a purchase will make me consider it far more. Made too many bad decisions in the past without checking into it.
  • @2 Old games with old graphics? Really? Do you think indy games are rehashed NES games? Well... a few DO LOOK like rehashed NES games. lol But there are games that look better than those so called 'triple A titles' and make more fun.
  • i'm also missing a real benefit on the xbox one. nothing that weren't possible on the 360.
  • this is good news
  • Can you add/explain what id@xbox is? Seems like first part and title was about demo. Then id@xbox was a quote and now we're talking about searching those types which are indy games? Super confusing article
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