The Future of Gaming: Why Shorter Standalone Titles Are on the Rise

According to Smektała, the shift towards shorter, standalone games is a response to the changing needs of both players and developers. With increasingly demanding AAA titles, players are finding it difficult to commit to 50-100 hour games, while developers are seeking more efficient and cost-effective ways to produce engaging content. Dying Light: The Beast, designed to last around 20 hours, is a prime example of this trend. Smektała believes that this approach will become more prevalent in the industry, offering a 'sweet spot' between brevity and depth. The decision to release The Beast on previous generation consoles was also driven by the desire to reach as many players as possible, particularly those who are still using older hardware. As the gaming landscape continues to evolve, it's likely that we'll see more developers embracing this approach, focusing on quality over quantity, and catering to the diverse needs of their audiences.