The creators of the new Dying Light game have come to a realization: the future of video games may lie in shorter, more focused titles. This shift in thinking is reflected in the upcoming game in the franchise, Dying Light: The Beast, which is set to be a more concise experience, with a playtime of around 20 hours. This marks a significant change from the lengthy games that have become the norm in recent years, particularly in open-world titles.

Reflecting on the controversy surrounding the length of Dying Light 2, which was initially touted as having up to 500 hours of content, it’s clear that Techland is rethinking its approach. Dying Light: The Beast is being positioned as a spin-off, a smaller title compared to the main series, yet still a significant addition to the franchise. According to series director Tymon Smektała, this new direction was inspired by the changing dynamics of gaming and the growing preference for shorter games among players.

In an interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Smektała explained, “Dying Light: The Beast is definitely more compact than a big-budget AAA game, but that’s intentional. It’s like a perfectly brewed espresso—short, strong, and satisfying.” He emphasized that as players age and their lives become more demanding, the appeal of spending 50 to 100 hours on a single game diminishes. “The world around us becomes more intense, and with so many things vying for our attention, it’s challenging to commit to such long games,” he noted, drawing from his own experiences with the Assassin’s Creed series.

Smektała’s perspective reflects a broader industry trend. Developers are increasingly aware that producing massive games with extensive content isn’t always the most effective way to engage players. “One of the issues we’re facing is that games are becoming too big, with massive budgets and long production cycles. You can spend five years and have 500 people working on a game, only for it to fall flat,” he said, highlighting the risks involved in such projects.

The move toward shorter games isn’t just about reducing risk, though. Smektała pointed out that developers also find smaller projects more appealing. “It’s exciting for developers to invest less time, money, and resources into creating something players will love. It allows for shorter development cycles and the freedom to experiment with new ideas,” he explained. He also mentioned that games with over 100 hours of content should be exceptions rather than the rule, suggesting that the industry’s obsession with game length may need to be re-evaluated.

Looking ahead, Smektała believes that shorter games might become more common as the industry recognizes their value. “If we’re right, we’ll start seeing more of these types of games. It could be a significant part of the future of gaming,” he concluded. As for Dying Light: The Beast, the game is set to release on PS5, PC, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PS4 at a yet-to-be-determined date, with more news expected in the coming months.

Source: 3DJuegos