Joe Hindy / Android Authority
TL;DR Google Play Store is working on a “Try before you buy” feature that allows users to play premium games for a set duration at no cost.
Users can purchase the full game experience once their trial ends, and their progress will be carried over.
The feature is likely to be an opt-in tool for game developers, helping them attract users who are hesitant about upfront costs.
The Google Play Store houses tens of thousands of high-quality games that you can play on your Android flagship. Most games these days are monetized through (often greedy) in-app purchases for cosmetics and gameplay enhancements, but there are rare gems that still offer their entire gaming experience as an upfront, one-time purchase. However, this is both a pro and a con, as users cannot even try out the game before spending money on it. Google may be looking to address this issue, as the Play Store could soon offer a new “Try before you buy” feature for premium games.
Currently, the Google Play Store allows developers to offer free trials for subscriptions. However, this is not a solution for games (and apps) that bank on an upfront, one-time purchase. Developers for such games often resort to creating a “demo” version of their game as a separate listing, allowing users to try out the game in a limited capacity before committing to the full experience with their wallet.
However, there is a significant drawback to this “demo” approach. For one, this is a separate listing from the main game, so important data, such as the number of downloads, ratings, and user comments, is not carried over to the main app listing. Since it is a separate app too, game progress is also not carried over, so players have to start from scratch if they decide to buy the game. Furthermore, the developer often has to develop and maintain this demo app separately, which is too much work compared to simply adopting the subscription model.
To get around the drawbacks of a “demo” app, some developers encourage users to take advantage of the Play Store’s lesser-known two-hour refund policy. This way, users have some breathing room to experience the game while still having a safety net in place. However, most users are unaware that they can request a refund for a paid app or game, and as a result, they are deterred from trying out these paid apps and games.
The upfront cost also serves as a mental deterrent in itself, as users have to part with their money before they are convinced of the app or game’s potential. The sticker shock is undoubtedly a big friction point for attracting users.
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