Polish developer Techland is paving the way for a new trend in the gaming industry, suggesting that shorter, standalone titles may soon become the norm. In a recent conversation with GI.biz, Tymon Smektała, the director of the Dying Light franchise, shared his insights on this evolving landscape. Techland has recently unveiled a new standalone entry in the Dying Light series, aptly named The Beast, which exemplifies this shift.
Changing Player Perspectives
Smektała elaborated on the rationale behind this trend, emphasizing the changing dynamics of player engagement. “The first one is the perspective of the player,” he noted. He acknowledged that while many gamers are initially drawn to the allure of extensive gameplay hours, the reality of modern life often complicates this enthusiasm. “As players get older, as the world around us gets more and more intense, and as we have lots of things that steal our attention, if you have a game that you have to play for 50 to 100 hours to complete, it’s really difficult to find time for that, right?”
Reflecting on his own experiences, Smektała recalled a turning point that resonated with many dedicated gamers. “For me personally, it started changing around the time of Assassin’s Creed Origins and Odyssey. They were so long — I’m a super hardcore, dedicated Assassin’s Creed fan, but when I realized I have played Odyssey for 100 hours and I’m not even finished it… With real life happening around you, it’s very, very hard to get that commitment.”
A Shift in Industry Norms
Smektała pointed out a prevailing inertia within the gaming industry, particularly the obsession with the number of hours a game can provide. However, he believes that this focus is beginning to shift. “I think it’s actually something that we’ll see more of because the industry will see this as another way they can offer meaningful interactive entertainment to players,” he stated. This perspective suggests that the future of gaming may indeed embrace shorter, more impactful experiences, catering to the evolving needs and lifestyles of players.
