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Let’s Be Honest, Tomb Raider Has Already Been ‘Spoiled’

By on January 18, 2013

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I’m sure you’ve heard by now, Tomb Raider isn’t getting a demo because Crystal Dynamics doesn’t want to “spoil” its story. Well, there’s one problem with this excuse, and it highlights why developers/publishers need to stop treating gamers like idiots.

This isn’t GTA IV; there’s no veil of secrecy here. We’ve already seen tons of Tomb Raider footage. The opening was spoiled months ago; if they really cared about spoilers they wouldn’t have revealed the opening. Why show Lara escaping? If spoilers were a concern, wouldn’t it make more sense to show random sections without cutscenes?

If asked this, Crystal Dynamics will say, “The previously revealed gameplay didn’t spoil anything”. But doesn’t that contradict their reasoning behind not releasing a demo? If you can release an hour of gameplay and not spoil the game, a spoiler-free 20 minute demo should be a walk in the park.

The truth is they don’t want to make a demo — and that’s okay. But instead of being honest, they treat us like idiots. This highlights a problem in the gaming industry; most developers and publishers don’t respect gamers. They continue to feed us nonsense, lies that anyone over the age of five can see through. This needs to stop, they aren’t fooling anyone. In the end it just hurts their reputation.

Crystal Dynamics has shown the game off at various events; why not release one of those demos to the public? The answer is simple – they don’t want you to try Tomb Raider before you buy it. What else could it be? Laziness?

Maybe I’m being too harsh, let’s give them the benefit of the doubt; they don’t want to spoil anything. Okay, well how about a multiplayer demo? That wouldn’t ruin anything and it may convince the ‘multiplayer first’ crowd to buy the game. Nope, that also makes too much sense.

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Hardcore Tomb Raider fans will buy this reboot; they don’t care about a playtest. But the lack of a demo could make casual fans and newcomers more reluctant to buy it. And let’s be honest, Crystal Dynamics are targeting these two groups with this reboot. So why alienate them?

Every game doesn’t need a demo and I don’t think developers should be forced to make them. My issue isn’t with the lack of a demo; it’s with the silly excuse. Treat us with some respect Crystal Dynamics — spare us the bullshit. Now check out IGN’s “60+ Minute” gameplay video below — it’s absolutely spoiler-free.

Is the lack of a demo a deal-breaker for you? Let us know in the comments below.

I'm DeShaun Zollicoffer, and I approve this message/bio. "26-years-old, Proud Northeast Ohioan, a Gamer Without Loyalties, an Equal Opportunity Offender, Apple Evangelist, Apple Hater, Music Lover, Anime Junkie, Little Monster, Frequent Flyer, Dexter Fanatic, Title Case Addict, and Geek Revolt's Founder and Editorial Director."
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  • http://geekrevolt.com/author/fallguysoldier/ Edgar Ocampo

    To be honest, I’m actually reluctant to try out demos for console/single-player games and that’s simply because I’ve always feared that I would get spoiled by them one way or another. (This “fear” of mine goes way back during the era of the first Playstation and whatnot, by the way.) I figured if it’s a game that I’m pretty sure I’ll buy at some point then there’s no need for me to “try it before I buy it”. Yes, I do agree that this is a pretty risky way of doing things from a consumer’s perspective, but that’s also why I rarely buy games upon launch (i.e. I wait for sales).

    • http://www.geekrevolt.com/ DeShaun Zollicoffer

      You’re like 1 in a 50,000 ha-ha :)

      I understand your fear of spoilers, but the average gamer wants to try things out. Unless it’s COD, they’ll buy that regardless. And they wouldn’t really spoil anything, since they’ve already showed tons off in trailers and hour long gameplay videos.

      Developers love to spoil stuff now, though. Like today I was looking at a Metal Gear Rising Boss battle trailer. Who does that?

      • http://geekrevolt.com/author/fallguysoldier/ Edgar Ocampo

        LOL once again, which is why I’ve been holding off on anything Metal Gear Solid related. XD

        Yeah, I definitely would not recommend most people to take the same risks that I take. I’m totally out of the norm lol. But what’s ironic is that when it comes to online games, I actually bust my ass trying to get into betas (which in a way is like trying out a demo). But I guess that’s because online games tend to cost more over time, so all the more reason for me to REALLY know what I’m getting myself into. A $60 game is nothing compared to a P2P game (or even F2P game, as we all now know) that could cost you hundreds in the long run…

    • XavierLeromeLangham

      i second this motion i don’t really care for demos

  • XavierLeromeLangham

    this is an example where too much info is not always a good thing.

  • http://www.facebook.com/johan.nilsson.79274 Johan Nilsson

    It depends on the game. If it’s from a developer I like or a game franchise I like (e.g. Final Fantasy) I buy the game regardless, even if I believe it’s crap (I know, I’m a bit OCD in that way). But for all the other games from for me unknown developers or game franchises I would want to try out a demo first. If there isn’t a demo, I hope to be able to borrow it from a friend or rent it. I just don’t want to pay $80 for a game that ends up in the bookshelf, played once.

    • http://www.geekrevolt.com/ DeShaun Zollicoffer

      Makes sense, I think a demo is important for Tomb Raider because it’s basically a new game. Kind of like DmC, it’s a reboot so a demo gave gamers a good idea about the new mechanics.

      And there’s nothing wrong with buying something because you’re a fan of the franchise. I said Lightning Returns looks like a ‘hot mess’, but I’m still picking it up. Just because I like Lightning :)