Remember demo discs? Those chunky plastic-covered gaming mags you’d grab from the shop—Official PlayStation Magazine, Xbox World, PC Gamer—where the disc on the front felt almost as exciting as a full game. One disc, a handful of games, and hours of discovery. Back then, demos weren’t just a teaser—they were a mini-event. Heck, stores even demoed game consoles with game demos of the latest releases just to draw people in.
Fast-forward to 2025, and it feels like demos might finally be staging a comeback… but this time, it’s all digital. Events like Steam Next Fest, publisher-specific demo drops, and early access trial weekends are popping up left and right. So what’s driving this resurgence—and is it really for the players?
The demo drought
For years, demos fell by the wayside. Big publishers shifted focus to pre-orders, closed betas, and influencer-led hype trains. Demos were seen as risky—why show a game that might still feel rough when you could sell the dream instead?
Steam Next Fest and the indie renaissance
The tide started to turn with events like Steam Next Fest. Suddenly, players were being given hands-on access to dozens (if not hundreds) of games before launch—especially indie titles that struggle to break through the noise. It’s a win-win: players get to try before they buy, and devs build wishlists and community buzz in return.
But is it all just clever marketing?
There’s a fair argument to be made that modern demos are less about feedback and more about exposure. Some demos are clearly tailored to only show off a game’s best slice—polished vertical slices with limited content, carefully curated to sell rather than showcase.
This is very much the case at gaming events we have been to in the past. Many times we’ve been to Insomnia and when AAA games are there, it feels like a spectacle that is trying to build hype and make you want to buy a game. But you never see members of the dev teams there. Just people who know how to talk the talk. That said, with the indie devs you see you get a lot more passion and engagement because you actually get to chat with the people behind the games.
Nostalgia vs reality
It’s tempting to compare today’s demos to those old magazine discs. But those discs were weird and wonderful. You’d play five minutes of a Tomb Raider level, dabble with a low-res WipEout track, or discover some obscure gem you’d never have picked off a shelf. It felt like a treasure trove.
Now, it’s more structured, more planned, and often fleeting—some demos vanish after an event ends, limiting real discovery in favour of short-term buzz.
What makes a good demo in 2025?
The best demos today do more than just tease—they educate. They give you a real taste of mechanics, mood, and gameplay flow. Games like Lies of P, Sea of Stars, and Dave the Diver delivered standout demos that translated directly into success at launch.
So, is it a comeback or not?
Maybe it’s a bit of both. Demos are undeniably back in fashion—but the intent behind them has shifted. The good news? Players are once again getting to play before they pay. The bad news? It’s often more about algorithms and wishlist metrics than player trust.
Still, for those of us who remember tearing the plastic off a demo disc like it was gold, there’s something comforting about seeing the format return—even if it’s traded shelves for Steam libraries.
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