In a quiet move that hints at a game-changing feature, Steam appears to have introduced a new facility: timed free game trials. Until recently, the concept of a ‘free trial’ involved purchasing a game, playing it briefly, and then seeking a refund before Steam’s 2-hour window of return expired.
Now, it seems that game publishers will be granted the opportunity to present time-bound game demos in a more organized and official manner.
The first game to leverage this new feature is the recently released remake of Dead Space, which offers a 90-minute trial. The mechanics are straightforward. Navigate to the game’s store page, select ‘Play Now’, and commence the download through your Steam client, allowing you to experience an unsettling 1.5 hours aboard a distressing space station.
Limited Availability and Potential for Speedrun Records
Interestingly, the free trial coincides with an ongoing sale of Dead Space, hinting that the trial might only be available until May 29. For those with an affinity for speedruns, you might be intrigued to know that the current speedrun record for the 2023 Dead Space stands at 1 hour and 44 minutes.
This opens up the exciting prospect of potentially setting a new record and completing the game within the free trial window, provided you play at a breakneck pace. Sounds like an enticing challenge, doesn’t it?
Future Prospects of the Free Trial Feature
As of now, there’s no official announcement on whether this free trial feature will be extended to other games. However, considering its potential impact, it’s reasonable to anticipate its wider adoption. With the digital era dominating the gaming landscape, game demos have somewhat become a forgotten practice.
Yet, the appetite to ‘try before buying’ persists among many gamers. This newly introduced Steam-backed free trial system could possibly rejuvenate the practice of providing game demos, making them a standard offering, or at least more frequent than they currently are.
One last note to consider: the Dead Space remake is definitely worth a trial. In a review written for PCG, Sean Martin, one of our colleagues, rated the game at a notable 84% and lauded it as an impressive illustration of “what Dead Space has always been: an intense, momentum-driven experience”.
Now, with the advent of the free trial feature, you can effortlessly dive into that intense momentum for a solid one and a half hours.
