Rumors of a Lunar demo have been confirmed by GameLord (a site run by Babbage's and Software Etc.). Check out the link for a blurb about a free demo disk for those that pre-purchase the game.
The web page estimates the release to be about April 16, 1999. Does that mean that we are almost in "final Sony approval?" The Working Designs site remains silent with a complete lack of news. Of course, what do you want them to say ... "still in final testing"??
So, I printed the web page (a smart thing if you are considering this), and marched (ok, I drove) to my local Babbage's. The store clerk (looked like the manager) explained the whole process, and tipped off another clerk there that they will need to hold the demos for those that pre-purchase the game. Of course, he had not heard about the demo, but I expected that. I got a cool slip of paper, and he hand-wrote "Due Demo Disk" on it.
I was NOT going to pre-purchase from a large chain, but the smaller store fronts are probably not going to get the demo, and I wanted to see it first!
The price (before tax) was US $54.99.
The Working Designs discussion that tipped us off about the demo disk said that it contained the game for the first three game hours, until you leave Meribia. This includes about seven animations. I was unclear if there would be *NO* game save capability, or if it would be incompatible with the real game saves.