What is the duration of your favorite game? Obviously, it is difficult to set a uniform number in this question, since it depends on the context; RPGs generally take longer to complete than an average character’s action game, but at what point do you feel like you’re getting good value for money? Do you like your titles to be recorded with 50-hour campaigns, or do you prefer more condensed experiences around 3pm?
Former PlayStation boss Shawn Layden rekindled the conversation, suggesting he would prefer more AAA titles from 10 to 15 hours. “Instead of spending five years making an 80-hour game, what are three years and a 15-hour game like? What would be the cost of that? Is it a full throat experience? he mused during a recent GameLab Live session.
“Personally, as an older player, I would like to come back at 12 to 15 hours [AAA] game, “he continued.” I would finish more games, first of all, and like a well-edited literature or movie, looking at the discipline that tighter and more compelling content can give us. It’s something I would like to return to in this deal “.
The PlayStation 4 generation has generally seen increasingly longer games. The Last of Us: Part II, for example, is a 30-hour experience where the running time of its predecessor was about half. God of War similarly went from tight 10-hour campaigns to an epic 30-hour campaign. These titles cost more money than ever, something Layden believes is not sustainable.
But subtract the economy of the conversation, and there’s a much more subjective discussion to have: At what point are you willing to shell out $ 59.99 and feel satisfied? Uncharted: The Lost Legacy proved that there is a market for a short-form bravado adventure at an affordable price, but Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End doubled its duration at full price.
And yet, there are those who argue that the Chloe and Nadine spin-off is the more compelling of the two titles, as while it reuses many of the assets and pieces of its predecessors, its condensed campaign ensures it never beats welcome. Nathan Drake’s ending, by comparison, is often criticized for running a bit too long.
It is an interesting question and it will depend on personal preferences. Those of you with plenty of free time may prefer longer periods, while those with greater responsibilities may prefer more manageable lengths. What feels good to you? Share your thoughts in the comment section below and be sure to vote in our poll.
.
