Coma

This is why the game needs a demo.

Demo's released prior to game launches allow people to test it out, primarily undecided people. Many of them will not like the game, so the demo has a negative effect on sales. By releasing the game first, you get many of these undecided people with "itchy credit card fingers" purchasing a game they would otherwise not have (if they had played the demo).

People who pirate "traditionally" don't buy games, so any sales generated from that market are a bonus.

At least thats my take on the whole thing.

PS: Also a download-to-try pirate.

This is why the game needs a demo.

People will buy the game if they like the game.

This is why they are already working on a demo.

Patience, young padawan.

I download games too. Its great that guys out there use brains and won't use useless protections which costs extra money and are contraproductive. Since protection bothers only legal buyers (you know activation, reactivation, registration and god knows what else pirates don't even have to see) and ppl don't have to risk being infected with malware using keygens and cracks. I believe that there is also no money loss in piracy. If i don't know and cant try game, what's the point of buying it? I trusted my guts and preordered demigod, because I believe in Stardock, Gas Powered Games, Blizzard (can't think of others right now) to produce unique games always worth buying.

But for others its mostly paying for crap job made using some hardass template eyecandy graphics,without any gameplay idea at all. Probably lead under university guy in tie who barely seen any game ever and goes by charts.

I don't see need for demo, if someone want to play let them play fully to get feel of this great game, of course no multiplayer, support or download . And no Rook miniature .

Well... i'm playing pirate version right now, until boxes arrive to stors in my country. Also had to chech if my PC will run the game (it starts to lag when there are too many creeps on the map.. looking for new graphic card right now).

On a side note, someone stated that pirate verion will lack day 0 patch. Well... it doesn't. It actualy had this patch applied before the day 0.

I have in the past "checked out" (pirated) a game first before putting my money down.  But I like the way Stardoc operates, so both Sins and Demigod where pre-ordered.  No DRM and a good rep with customers deserves support.  BTW Demigod is pretty damn addicting.

JesterOC

You could have purchased it online direct from Stardock.  Then there is no need to wait for boxed copies to arrive.

Quoted for F-ing truth! The only reason I did not pre-order Demigod like I did with Sins is because I was busy with work and would not have a chance to properly beta test it. When I saw the news story last night about Demigod being released early I was real tempted to find a torrent because I did not know much about the game, but I just said screw it and pulled out my credit card. Stardock is just like Bioware in that I will buy what ever game comes out because I know it will be good.

I was amazed when I randomly picked GalCiv 2 up at walmart for $20 and I ended up spending like 8hrs strait playing it. If I had today off work I would likely still be playing Demigod.

I have alway pirate to try games out before I buy to many developers now adays either release a game thats not well thought out or tons of bugs (should of been in beta still). And all the retail stores refuse to refund money back for opened boxed and the company that is supporting the game says to talk to your retailer for the refund. Kinda of a catch 22. Stardock is pretty good about refunds though, if a game is really buggy. So the way I look at it is a company wants to rush deliever a product I just wont buy it and delete the pirated copy. If the game is good I'm all for buying it. If the company or retail stores accepted the game back after it was opened or companies would release quality products then there would be no reason for piracy at least for me. Its just a necessary evil, so you wont be out $50 for a bad product, and its not a money issue its a principle issue. As long as companies get away with selling shody products with no reprocussions they will continue to do it.

In the german amazon there is an estimated time of arrival at 07th may, 2009.

http://www.amazon.de/Atari-Demigod/dp/B001PBUN46

I know, Schnapsladen.

This morning I've been at Mediamarkt and asked about the game... They told me something about May so I looked at Amazon, same result. *grml* At least there is a digital download version.

This is a larger truth than just games.  It's why I download and/or rip ***s and such from Net**** or the Library.  The MPAA and the RIAA and the companies that produce the media don't produce content worth paying for, even in a theater, so why should they get my money when I just want to see if I WOULD buy it even once in a while.

Companies that don't understand basic business principles about providing a product WORTH paying for are the ones who are upset about piracy.  It's companies like Stardock that understand that pirates COULD be their friends if treated with courtesy that survive and thrive.

Thanks Stardock.