Sony files patent for “degradable video game demos”

Sony wants to make sure that you’ll get more than just the demo of  their games, but that you’ll be compelled to purchase the full version. A patent’s been found, duly filed by Sony, and this one is for the so-called “degradable video game demos”.

Sony wants to make sure that you’ll get more than just the demo of  their games, but that you’ll be compelled to purchase the full version. A patent’s been found, duly filed by Sony, and this one is for the so-called “degradable video game demos”.

According to the patent, this software allows Sony to take elements off your demo one by one upon reaching a particular time. Take it as some sort of expiration date, if you must. For example, if you download a demo and you play it for several hours, your weapon will be reduced from a spanking new sword to probably just a teeny dagger.

Other “degradable” portions of the demo may be levels or race tracks. Again, the law of diminishing returns take place. The more hours you play the demo, the less tracks or levels you’ll be able to play on. Characters may also be removed, so it seems.

The patent claims that this is a better model than the current demo system in place, because these degradable demos can actually be distributed on physical media, and so the players can catch a glimpse of the whole game, albeit for a strictly limited time only.

The main point, though, is to tease the players enough so that eventually, they’ll go for the whole thing.

Via [Siliconera]