Proto talk:Lemmings (Amiga)

Prototype?

Is this really a prototype rather than a demo? -Mindless (talk) 23:51, 25 October 2014 (EDT)

The "proto" namespace is just a catchall for "incomplete" versions of games, including publicly released demos. While it might not be a "prototype" in that exact sense of the word, a demo would definitely belong in a "prototype" section (especially if it was released before the full version of the game). --Devin (talk) 23:56, 25 October 2014 (EDT)

But how do we know if a demo is an early build? What if it's purposefully left incomplete? What if things are changed solely for demonstrating them? --AquaBat (talk) 01:30, 26 October 2014 (EDT)

This is a little trickier to answer than you think. Generally, it's by the release date of the demo (particularly if that demo was made/released 2 months or more before the final game) or a hidden build date, as well as whatever is different internally. This can include debug print-outs that were left in (usually visible with some kind of monitor), comments not found in the final version, and anything not in the final game's data. It's quite flimsy, but it's best thing we can do next to searching dumpsters for the original source code, design documents and general developer notes.

Not exactly sure what you mean by purposefully left incomplete. If by that you mean there changes just for the sake of changes, it would depend on what the developer(s) and/or publisher(s) did. Sometimes, those changes are there to force the player to slow down (potential example: Donkey Kong kiosk demo).

They could very well release demos after the final game, but based on pre-release builds. As for changing things solely for demonstration, that could be the case for demos released after the final game. In this case, the demo discussed was made in late 1990, while the final game was released in February 1991. The screen seen in the article might be in the final game (haven't checked yet), but it isn't used there. Also, Mike Daily has a retrospective on the game's development and mentions that screen was originally the loading screen. --From: divingkataetheweirdo (talk) 02:37, 26 October 2014 (EDT)