Demo mode

[brightonbeach]

I bought this game only because my son is a Lego nut and he kept badgering me. I was initially reluctant to buy it, as it did not look very interesting, but he was persistent and I was then amazed at the scope of the unlocked game, and the marvellous amount of high quality user generated content, none of which is apparent in the demo mode. My suggestion is that you let demo users observe multiplayer games but not of course join them. I would be very surprised if this did not result in many more purchases of the game.

My only other suggestion is that you improve the interface for configuring the keyboard. The default key mappings (on the Mac version anyway) need more thought.

[Ad Bot]

[Vertzer]

I'm not 100% sure, but I think you can download add-ons in the demo mode.
I believe the only restriction of the demo mode is the multiplayer, and ofcourse the brick limit.

[zackin5]

You can also do LAN multiplayer in the demo

[Ephialtes]

You can also direct yourself to the gallery forum which is one click below this one. The problem with allowing demo users to join internet games is that there will be less incentive for them to buy the unlocked version which is bad.

I see where you're coming from though, demo users can't really get any idea of the full potential of Blockland without visiting the gallery or something.

[FlyGuy45]

Perhaps Bad could open a DEMO server. That could help.

[Badspot]

This is something I thought about around release time and I didn't do it mainly because of time constraints but also because I was afraid of something going terribly wrong and having a bunch of unidentifiable users running around being jerks.  (One of the benefits of charging admission is that everyone has a unique ID and can be held accountable for their actions). 

There's some technical things that would have to be done to make it practical.  For instance, demo players would have to be non-collidable - like ghosts - so the couldn't do things like block doorways. 

I agree that it be a lot more effective in showing people what the game is about.  It would also be a benefit to those who own the game because it would give them a wider audience to show off their creations to.  It's definitely something I'm going to look into. 

[FlyGuy45]

Will you look into it for V10? 

[Space Guy]

What about having them as cameras like F8 only, with no chat or player. They can see people's chat but not interact with the server at all.

One problem with this might be server scripts giving them a player object, which would break security.

[Ephialtes]

One problem with this might be server scripts giving them a player object, which would break security.

That can of course be prohibited from within the engine. There would need to be options for your server I think, like whether you want to allow these people using up your player slots (especially on a DM server), and whether you want them to be able to speak and stuff.

[Jervan]

Great suggestion! :D

[General Omega]

We should do what badspot said and have the people be mute. that way we wouldnt have people bugging us and advertizing. really all I say is that they should be mute.

[Toadzard]

I'm not 100% sure, but I think you can download add-ons in the demo mode.
I believe the only restriction of the demo mode is the multiplayer, and ofcourse the brick limit.

Yes you can. Before I unlocked mine, I would prowl the add on sections downloading weapons and vehicles. In fact, being able to download user created add ons was an incentive to unlock it, as they were pretty sweet.

What about having them as cameras like F8 only, with no chat or player. They can see people's chat but not interact with the server at all.

One problem with this might be server scripts giving them a player object, which would break security.

Wouldn't that take up a max player slot?

[tommybricksetti]

I agree that a prospecting mode would be a good idea. Maybe have an option to spy on people as well. For example: pressing the spacebar to cycle through people to spy on.

[laremere]

The problem with this is that players would take up server's resources, and giving them f8 powers or player viewing powers would lead to owners having a demo copy of blockland to use so they can f8 around a server were you need to work in order to get to areas.

You can't really give someone a blockland online experience without letting them actually play it.

I suggest a bi-annual or something video contest to make the best video showing off having fun in blockland, and have the winner's video posted on the media section of the site.

[Digmaster]

Nah, i like these ideas. A simple F8 cam, only without the fireball (some people crash when that hits they're face). they can't talk, build, or even be seen. This allows them too see how people are in game, along with what builds are like.