In the midst of the video game industry's current struggles, I propose a bold solution: all games should be 15 hours long or less. This may seem like a drastic measure, but I believe it could be the silver bullet the industry needs. By implementing this rule, we could potentially save the industry and revolutionize the way games are consumed.
The current state of the industry is dire, with existential threats from changing tastes, economics, and generational turnover. While I typically avoid simple solutions, I think this idea has merit. The majority of games, especially single-player and co-op titles, suffer from excessive padding and unnecessary length. Games like God of War and Final Fantasy VII Rebirth could have been more concise and impactful.
The 15-hour mark seems to be a sweet spot for many games. Resident Evil 4, for instance, is nearly perfect and lasts around 15 hours. Co-op games, which rely on exploration and social interaction, don't need to be longer than this. Many 'Friendslop' games, which are short and disposable, already fit this mold.
While some argue that longer runtimes benefit certain RPGs or systems-driven games, I disagree. Games like Baldur's Gate 3 and its predecessor, Divinity Original Sin 2, could have been tighter and more engaging if they had been shorter. Many video game stories are bad, but within those long tales are shorter, better stories waiting to be told.
However, some may argue that this idea is not practical, citing the popularity of 'forever games' like Fortnite and Grand Theft Auto Online. But I propose a radical solution: eliminate the forever games and mandate a 15-hour limit for all new games. This would incentivize people to buy more games per year and spread their money across a wider range of indie titles on Steam, which are already priced below $70.
Triple-A publishers, no longer burdened by the need to compete with forever games, could make games at a lower cost, without the need for high price tags or microtransactions. This could lead to a more sustainable industry, free from the need for constant innovation and the arms race that currently drives the market.
While this plan may require a revolution, I believe the results would be worth it. By making all games 15 hours long or less, we could save the industry and, in turn, the world. It's time for a change, and this could be the solution we've been waiting for.
