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When do you consider a game to be ‘too long’?

A topic by RATASOFTWARE.INC created 29 days ago Views: 341 Replies: 20
Viewing posts 1 to 11
(+1)

Hello everyone!

Looking at the length of my game, I’m wondering if I’ve made it too long.

I’ve played quite a few games – many of them brilliant – here on itch, but I can’t remember no one that come close to the length of mine. At first I thought it would be much shorter, but I kept adding more storylines and options (I suppose you devs know what I’m talking about😅) and it’s ended up taking between 10 and 14 hours to complete.

I’m thinking that perhaps I should have split it into different, shorter chapters or episodes rather than making it a single, long experience...

Do you think a game of that length is too long for a game on itch?  

And out of curiosity, how long is the longest game you’ve ever created?

(+1)

The longest game I ever created I would say takes 5-10 minutes to complete (4 months of development) but I’m pretty new to game development. Which game are you talking about because for me what is considered “too long” depends on the game. If this is a story based game where it’s a story and you choose a series of actions to alter the story, I would say aim for 10-20 minutes. If it’s any longer separate them into episodes/chapters.

If that 10-14 hours is playing time and not development time, then I would say it’s too long for a story based game. If I was playing a game like that I’d want to complete one full episode in one sitting. But splitting into different episodes/chapters should fix that problem.

Yes, I might structure the next game in chapters… I can’t change this one now; it’s a huge, completely open map, and clues or information you pick up at the start might come in handy at the end of the game…

Yeah, if I was in that situation I wpuld apply those changes to the next game.

(+2)

It's hard to say. For games without save feature, 2 hours is long enough. But for ones with save features, I could play for 10 hours or more.

The question would be is the game compelling enough to play? and if it is, are there any new stuffs to discover for playing more?

If the answer to any question is no, player would start feeling the game is too long.

(+1)

Yes, of course you can save the game!

So much hours without saving would be crazy! 😅

(+1)

depends on the game

for example wow can be played endlessly

(+2)

10 to 14 hours is a good length for a game with a strong narrative. I think it's not too long for a game on itch.

My games tends to be short but that also depends on player skills.

(+1)

Thanks mate! 😉

(+1)

14 hours isn’t too long. I’ve played lots of games longer than that that didn’t feel too long. I think I’ve written games longer than that.

A better question is, does the game have good pacing? Does the plot keep moving forward? Does the game keep introducing new elements? And just as importantly, does it have downtime where you can think about one big event before introducing the next one? If the pacing feels right, then the game is the length it needs to be, whether that’s 10 minutes or 100 hours. If the pacing is off, the 10 minute game can feel too long and the 100 hour game can feel too short.

Thanks for your answer.

I see your point, but im not sure if the pacing is enough in this case...

I tried to introduce new elements often, and i designed six subplots trying the player dont get bored...

Anyway, have to wait some kind of feedback about this, thanks again for comment and sorry for my english! 😅

I have over 8,000 hours in both versions of Ark combined... over 1,300 hours of Civ V. I guess my belief is that if the game is interesting, there is no such thing as 'too long'.

Deleted 22 days ago

Maybe is not indexed yet... 🤷‍♂️

Deleted 22 days ago
Moderator

Please read the rules before posting instead of butting into unrelated topics.

A game is too long when there's no reason to keep it going and yet it's still going on

Otherwise, as far it's worthy to keep being played, it's never too long

My wip game, Lostbound, which is the remake of another one i made, to a couple of player who reached the first ending took both of them around 30-50 hours

The demo ends much sooner than that, of course

BEFORE I PLAY YOUR GAME:

I am assuming it is this, Nightmare in San Vicente, correct?

Before playing it, I will say this: itch.io - the administration and website - wants itch.io to be a "real" store. So, for them, there is no such thing as "too long."

Since you said in one of your devlogs that you wanted to eventually release a downloadable paid version, 14 hours is not a bad length. It may even help people think they are getting their money's worth.

(+1)

Yes, I was referring to Nightmare in San Vicente!

I’ve finally released the full version for free to play online, often browse other browser-playable games here and haven’t come across any games this long, which is why I asked…

As for the paid downloadable version, I’ll try to include several improvements over the web version to make it worth the money for players. If I can’t come up with anything that I’m happy with, I’ll just leave the browser-based version as it is and that’ll be that...

Thanks for your comment mate, have a nice day!

To be honest, rather than focusing on length (I make long games), I think the most important thing is that the game be replayable—that is, different endings or variations on the ending, different builds, decisions that change the plot, etc. (you'll know what to do)

I think there's a big difference between telling a player... “The game lasts this long,”

and telling them... “You can play the game up to X times and you won't get bored.”

There's just no comparison—the second option is much better!

Hello Melinda!

I understand what you’re saying and I agree 100 %, but I’m afraid that because of the game’s storyline, it’s not possible to replay it once you’ve finished it...

It’s a sort of adventure game full of riddles and puzzles, so once you’ve solved them, there’s no point in solving them again. 😅

Thanks for the advice anyway, have a nice day!

In that case, I'd make it as long as I can...

That’s what I did, and for a paid, downloadable game for Windows, it’s fine, but I think I should have split the web version into chapters. It also has a save option, but all the browser-based games I’ve seen are much shorter...

The game will have at least two more parts, but if they’re just as long, I think I’ll split them up... 🤷