Too many video games, too little time - but could that be changing?

Video games have become a huge part of entertainment for many people, but there is a growing concern about how long it takes to finish them. A new role-playing game (RPG) called Avowed is trying to address this issue. The developers of Avowed want to create a game that respects the time of players. In Japan, there is a term called 'tsundoku' that refers to the situation where someone buys books but never reads them. Gamers have a similar problem known as a backlog, which is a collection of games that they have not completed or even started. Most people who own gaming consoles or PCs likely have a long list of games they want to play but never seem to finish. There are websites that allow players to keep track of their unfinished games, and some even turn to Reddit for advice on how to tackle their gaming backlog. This situation is becoming more common as the number of games being released continues to rise, and many of these games are getting longer. Some estimates suggest that only about 10% of players who purchase a game actually complete it. However, there may be signs that this trend is beginning to change. nOne of the most talked-about games currently is Baldur's Gate 3, which can take players around 70 hours to complete. This game features a character named Astarion, who is a charming vampire. Among the top 10 best-reviewed games released since 2020, five of them are estimated to take at least 60 hours to finish. Rhys Elliott, an analyst from Midia Research, notes that the trend of longer games has been gradually increasing over time. He points to the Assassin's Creed series as an example, where earlier games took about 25 to 30 hours to complete, while the latest installment, Assassin's Creed Valhalla, can take anywhere from 60 to over 100 hours. While it may seem appealing to get more gameplay for the money spent, Rhys highlights that the cost and time required to develop these longer games have also increased significantly. He discovered that as the length of a game increases, the number of players who finish it tends to decrease. This suggests that the longer development times and budgets for these games may not be yielding the desired results. Rhys has previously suggested that game developers might be better off creating shorter games. He believes that if a game like Assassin's Creed were shortened by 20%, most players would not even notice the difference. nAnother approach is to give players the option to choose how long they want to play. Carrie Patel, the game director of Avowed, has stated that the team has made an effort to design the game in a way that accommodates players who prefer a shorter experience. She has heard from many players expressing relief at the idea of a game they can actually finish. Reviewers estimate that a quick playthrough of Avowed will take about 15 hours, while completing all the optional content could take around 40 hours. This aligns with the studio's previous titles, but with Avowed, the developers are keen to emphasize that it is a game that respects players' time. Carrie explains, 'We know everybody has plenty of options, plenty of things to do with their time. ' They want players to feel that everything they encounter in the game is worth their time. nIt is important to note that games do not need to be excessively long to achieve success. For instance, the recently released Spider-Man 2 for PS5 can be fully completed in just under 30 hours, yet it has received positive reviews and set sales records for Sony. This demonstrates that quality can often outweigh quantity. Carrie shares this perspective, stating, 'I don't think most people are looking for something just to kill a few hours. ' Instead, she believes players are seeking a meaningful and immersive experience. Rhys agrees, calling this approach 'smart. ' He believes that if players want to rush through a game, they should be able to do so while still enjoying the full experience. He anticipates that we will see more experimentation with this kind of game design in the future. nThe question remains: why do game developers create such lengthy games in the first place? Even with a game like Avowed, many players will only experience a fraction of what it has to offer. Carrie acknowledges that there is always a concern about players skipping content, so they strive to provide options for those who may not want to delve deeply into every aspect of the game. She wants to ensure that players who are eager to explore and engage with the game can do so without feeling pressured. Ultimately, the goal is to create a gaming experience that is enjoyable and rewarding, allowing players to feel that their time spent in the game is well worth it.