Since the demo are planned and (maybe) already in development and to avoid complains when they will be released, I will tell you how I see these demos.
In order to organize my suggestions, I will divide this post in two parts :
1. What are the features needed for these demos ?
2. How make free users buy the game ?
1. The Features
The answer to the question "What could bring people to the game ?" is quite simple : Multiplayer. Nadeo's games are designed for that and it is impossible to offer a free version of SM or TM without a multiplayer. Now, I will consider SM and TM separately.
Shootmania :
As it was announced, I agree with the idea to limit the demo to only Royal and Elite but you could add a third mode such as Heroes, Realm or Combo.
For the rest, SM has a lot in common with TM so read below to have details.
Trackmania :
TM doesn't have enough modes to proceed like SM but I think the following limitations are sufficient.
- Solo : Limit access to white maps only
Solo : Impossible to do official times
Multi : Impossible to earn LP (access limited to 0-50k servers)
Multi : Impossible to create a server
Local : Impossible to load a map
Local : Impossible to race against a ghost
Local : Impossible to use Hot seat or split screen
Local : In fact, you can only play on LAN
Editors : You can only create a map with the simple editor and you can't edit it
Profile : You can't change your models
Profile : You can't see the stats
MP : Impossible to install custom titles
MP : Impossible to use manialinks
MP : Impossible to have planets
MP : No custom nicknames and avatars
Furthermore, I think Stadium shouldn't be the only TM to have a demo, Canyon and Valley must have one too. With these demos and multi-environments servers, all the TM titles should be extremely popular !
Thanks for reading this first part, see the next post to read my suggestions to "How make people pay ?".