Do Gamers Actually Want Longer Games or Just Better Ones?

Are Developers Make Games Longer for the Sake of It?
Over the years, video games have grown in size and scope, with many now exceeding 70-hour runtimes. While players expect enough content to justify the price, are developers padding games with unnecessary filler just to extend playtime? Join me as I explore the question: Do gamers truly want longer games or just better ones?

Quality Over Quantity
The thought of a large, compelling world to explore and get lost in appeals to many. Being part of a living world where your actions have consequences can elevate experiences and lead to players wanting to regularly return to that world. Titles such as The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and Baldur’s Gate 3 offer a dynamic environment with countless meaningful tasks that provide an incentive to explore further.

Celebrated titles such as Elden Ring and Tears of a Kingdom regularly reward players for their curiosity, which entices you to venture down every nook and cranny in search of precious resources and gear. Pairing this with creative missions, freedom to explore and varied world design can create an addictive loop to keep you hooked. A recent example that showcased these traits is Black Myth: Wukong. With bosses filling the map, you can travel down a small path to discover a huge portion of the game and be rewarded with items to aid you on your main quest. This results in an experience that avoids being stale even when reaching 100+ hours.

We’re Looking At You
Ubisoft is the main culprit of padding their games with repetitive missions and arduous leveling to proceed with the main quest. Assassin’s Creed Odyssey and Valhalla are good games with strong mechanics but are bloated and packed with tedious missions that quickly feel like a chore. Now, I understand the idea of making a game worth the price of admission but does anyone want a 100+ hour game that is stuffed with excessive grinding and fetch quests? All this does is add to player frustration and, in Ubisoft’s case, tarnish the name of a legendary developer.

So, what do I mean by ‘better’? I want developers to trim the fat from their releases, delivering tighter-paced narratives, engaging mechanics, and meaningful progression. Resident Evil 4 Remake exemplifies this approach, weaving these elements together to create a truly incredible experience. This isn’t just limited to shorter, linear games. Open-world titles like Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth also embrace this philosophy, crafting a filler-free adventure. Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio excels at building compact worlds brimming with distractions while still delivering a compelling, well-paced story. In contrast, some RPGs, such as Final Fantasy XVI, stumble by relying too heavily on grinding for progression. The Yakuza series avoids this pitfall, ensuring that every activity, side quest, and battle serves a purpose, keeping players engaged rather than bogged down.

A Balancing Act
There are plenty of amazing games that strike a balance between length and depth, delivering memorable experiences. While some players enjoy the grind, others prefer a more streamlined adventure—so why not cater to both? Ultimately, gamers want choice; let us tailor our own experience. Rewards for grinding are fine, but they shouldn’t be mandatory. Instead, give players the freedom to forge their own path to the final destination.

Creating long games for the sake of it needs to become a thing of the past. There’s nothing wrong with lengthy releases, but they should be well-paced and engaging, not padded with tedious tasks just to extend playtime. For years, the industry has prioritized massive epics where even moving from point A to point B can feel like a chore. Does this need to change? Will developers start focusing on more refined experiences instead of sheer length? I certainly hope so.

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