The stakes are almost always higher in the video game industry, and expectations even more so.
In a world where none can seem to predict what happens next, Shawn Layden, a former PlayStation executive, offers a compelling perspective that could guide the future of game creation.
Layden, with decades of experience shaping some of the most successful periods in the history of PlayStation, argues for a shift towards shorter, more impactful AAA games. It serves as an insightful response to the changing dynamics of player engagement and consumption but also a strategic approach to addressing the financial and creative challenges faced by developers today.
According to Layden in an interview with GamesBeat, the profile of a modern gamer has dramatically shifted. No longer the stereotype of the youth with endless hours to spare, today’s audiences are often adults juggling responsibilities, seeking worthy experiences that respect both their time and financial investment. Thus, Layden’s call for 15-20 hour games speaks directly to this audience, emphasizing quality and engagement over their length. This shift doesn’t suggest a dilution of creativity or entertainment but a refined focus on delivering memorable experiences within a more accessible timeframe.
Layden’s reflections are grounded in the current economic realities of AAA video game development, which have been put into question in recent years with the ballooning budgets for Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, The Last of Us Part 2, and Horizon Forbidden West.
With budgets for blockbuster titles now frequently exceeding the $200 million mark, it has become increasingly likely today’s video game companies will eventually hit a hard financial wall if they already haven’t. The mathematics of recovery and profit in such a scenario makes a compelling case for wider distribution. Platforms like PC, alongside traditional consoles, offer a pathway to expanding the player base without compromising the game’s integrity or the creators’ vision.
Contrary to the demands of the louder minority, most players have expressed a longing for games that deliver a complete and polished experience without the demand for exorbitant time investment.
The industry’s trend towards bloated game lengths, often inflated with “filler” content, hasn’t gone unnoticed. It’s one of the key criticisms of games developed by Ubisoft, including one of last year’s best-looking games, Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, and its underrated hit, Immortals Fenyx Rising, which is no longer getting a sequel.
There’s always going to be a place for long games. For example, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, a proven critical hit that has over hundreds of hours worth of content. But we can’t deny that there’s also growing appetite for games that respect the player’s time, offering them a complete and satisfying narrative arc without the necessity for hundreds of hours of commitment.
Critically, Layden’s argument extends beyond mere gameplay length. The industry has no solution to its current predicament of chasing after blockbuster hits with ballooning budgets. This may eventually lead to a conservative approach to creativity if it already hasn’t.
Already, the fear of failure in an increasingly competitive market has stifled innovation, leading to a landscape dominated by sequels as well as reboots and remakes. Layden suggests that the true change will come from “the outsiders,” those developers and studios not bound by the conventional wisdom of the industry’s current giants.
Layden’s experience and insights into the industry’s financial models highlight a path to a more sustainable approach to AAA development. By reevaluating what success looks like – focusing on delivering high-quality, shorter experiences – developers can mitigate these risks, potentially leading to a more diverse and innovative gaming landscape.
The debate over game length and quality isn’t new, but it has reached a critical juncture. Players are voting with their wallets and their time, showing a preference for games that respect both. The industry’s push towards live-service models and microtransactions has drawn criticism, but there’s a clear desire for a return to games that offer complete, fulfilling experiences without the need for endless grind or additional spending.
