Stiq Figures, September 1 - 7: Paying for early samples edition
Welcome to Stiq Figures, where the sales data is after the break and the posts don't matter.
With the rise of digital storefronts and all-in-one gaming consoles, there are a few more options to distribute demos than bundling compilation discs with gaming magazines. The modern difference is particularly underlined with Steam's Early Access, where betas and generally-unfinished portions of games can be sold with the promise of eventual full admission to the final experience. It seems increasingly more common for pre-orders to be rewarded with a headstart too, as was the case with Destiny's beta.
The decision to pay for access to unfinished concepts is always in the hands of a player, of course, but between Kickstarters, Early Access and pre-order samples, it all makes me wonder: How do you feel about it? Is there a thrill to getting a headstart on something you've been dying to play, even if it's rough around the edges or a year away from completion? Would you prefer it if development teams stuck to trailers, press releases and livestreams to promote their work? Is a compelling Kickstarter pitch enough to get a few bucks from you?
It feels like a conversation with a lot of angles to consider, and it'd be interesting to hear when you consider a project finished enough to spend some cash on a taste of it. Share your perspective on demos, betas and any other form of pre-launch gaming you have thoughts on, right after you check the Xbox One's debut in this week's Japanese hardware sales after the break!
Xbox One: 25,674 [DEBUT]
3DS LL: 23,624 [DOWN] 6,487
Vita: 14,441 [DOWN] 5,137
Wii U: 7,349 [DOWN] 1,235
PS4: 7,299 [UP] 797
PS3: 6,139 [DOWN] 1,756
3DS: 5,931 [DOWN] 1,473
Vita TV: 910 [DOWN] 246
PSP: 288 [UP] 101
Xbox 360: 126 [UP] 40
[Image: Bungie]
