Tech Demo Game: Difference between revisions

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* ''[[Crysis (series)|Crysis]]''. When released, only a handful of computers could actually handle the "High" setting at 1280x800. Even fewer could run the "Very High" setting at 1280x800 above 10FPS. [[Zero Punctuation|Yahtzee]] summarized it best, saying that the game must have been designed for some ultra high-tech supercomputer ''[[In Space|from space]]''. Although the lower settings could perform well and still look better than most games at the time. ''Computer Shopper'' still uses it to bench-test new hardware.

** This had the unforeseen additional effect of lots of people pirating the game just to use it as a tech demo, just because they "didn't want to pay for the whole thing" (and [[Failed a Spot Check|didn't think to check if Crytek had released a demo version]]).

** [[SCP Foundation]][http://www.scp-wiki.net/scp-062 -062] is a highly advanced [[Quantum Mechanics Can Do Anything|quantum computer]], believed to be from the future.

{{quote|''Yes, it is fun to joke around about whether or not SCP-062 would be able to run Crysis. However, if I find any more bored guards trying to install the damn game onto SCP-062 one more time… You just don't want to do it. Okay?''|''Dr. Tong''}}

** CryTek almost averted this with ''Crysis 2'', until they released a patch that enabled [[Direct X]] 11 functions and all new "Ultra Detail" mode. Now it's back up here.

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* ''[[Audiosurf]]'' is a less traditional demo. It shows off its developer's interactive audio visualizer.

** Ditto with ''The Polynomial - Space of the music''.

* ''[[Serious Sam]]'' came with various attempts to show off its engine (there's even a built-in tech map, accessible from the menu, which is literally a gallery of the engine's graphic effects).

* ''[[Soldier of Fortune]] II'' was rather jerky at maximum detail even with the higher-end hardware of its time.

* ''Microsoft Flight Simulator X'' is sometimes accused of this. Nowadays, a budget gaming PC can run it on full settings with minimal lag. When it was released... [http://www.amazon.co.uk/product-reviews/B000GBPLYI/ref=cm_cr_dp_all_summary?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1&sortBy=bySubmissionDateDescending less so.]

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== Console ==

* ''[[Gyromite]]'' and ''[[Stack-Up]]'' were made to give ROB something to do at the NES's launch.

* ''[[Silent Hill 2]]'' was, in addition to its better-known qualities, a demonstration of the Playstation 2's ability to generate volumetric fog. Given that ''[[Silent Hill]]'' had not really attained a great deal of wide popularity before the second game [[Growing the Beard|grew the beard]], as much of the buzz surrounding ''[[Silent Hill 2]]'' before its release was about its graphics and the fog effect as it was the monsters or characters.

** Another feature that doesn't exactly get a lot of attention was that shadows were cast realistically by objects when the flashlight shined over them. Not exactly an easy to do feature.

* ''Shrek'' for the Xbox. Gameplay-wise it was pretty hard and repetitive, but Rich Geldereich [http://sites.google.com/site/richgel99/#TOC-Shrek-Xbox-and-Deferred-Shading managed to pull off] some pretty impressive effects for a game of its time, as it was meant to be a showcase of what Microsoft's then-new console can do.

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** Arguably, the original N64 title fits this trope, displaying several graphical effects unseen before and a ([[Technology Marches On|then]]) large overworld with plenty of side-quests.

* ''[[Rayman Origins]]'' is the first game to utilize the UbiArt Framework, which smoothly integrates artwork into the game and easy animation of 2D characters. It shows in the huge amount of [[Scenery Porn]] and cartoony characters.

* ''[[Hydrophobia (video game)|Hydrophobia]]'' was created with the purpose of showing off HydroEngine, the engine behind its pretty sophisticated fluid simulation effects.

* While the Dual Shock had been out for a while before its release, ''[[Ape Escape]]'' was designed specifically to push sales of the controller by splitting movement and actions between the two joysticks.

* ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword]]'' was pretty much a huge advertisement for how accurate the WiiMotionPlus is, while still being comfortable for long playtimes. Heck, a good chunk of the development period was dedicated to deciding on a control scheme.

* ''[[Super Smash Bros]] Melee'' and ''Brawl'' could serve as one to their respective consoles. The amount of action that goes on in the game and yet it never dips below the buttery smooth 60FPS is an impressive feat.

* ''[[Super Smash Bros.]] Melee'' and ''Brawl'' could serve as one to their respective consoles. The amount of action that goes on in the game and yet it never dips below the buttery smooth 60FPS is an impressive feat.