Techland Envisions a Future with More Compact Games, Starting with Dying Light: The Beast

The gaming landscape is shifting, with developers focusing on shorter, more compact experiences. According to Tymon Smektała, franchise director for Dying Light, this trend is likely to continue, with more studios opting for smaller, standalone games. Smektała discussed the development of Dying Light: The Beast, which originated as a DLC for Dying Light 2 but evolved into a separate project after a substantial leak. The game follows Kyle Crane, the protagonist from the original Dying Light, and explores his story after a decade of torture and experimentation. Smektała emphasized that The Beast is not Dying Light 3, but rather a unique project that offers a more condensed experience, lasting around 20 hours. This approach allows developers to create games that are more focused and easier to commit to, without the need for massive budgets and lengthy development cycles. The decision to release The Beast on previous-generation consoles was driven by the desire to reach a wider audience, including players who are still using older hardware. As the gaming industry continues to evolve, it's likely that we'll see more developers embracing this approach, offering players a range of experiences that cater to different preferences and playstyles.