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Video games are supposed to be a relaxing way to spend your free time. However, modern titles feel more like a chore. Game lengths have gotten ridiculous, requiring over 100 hours to complete the campaign. What might have excited your younger self is more likely to exhaust you today. Here’s why the industry is going in the wrong direction.
How Long Are Today’s Video Games?
Modern video game lengths have become too long. Why does Persona 5 require 101 hours to complete the main story? If you want to complete everything, you can add 40 hours on top of that. What makes it worse is that you’ll spend at least 10 hours on the intro alone. That’s the equivalent of watching all three Lord of the Rings movies consecutively.
The length of Persona games is nothing new. However, other franchises are starting to follow a similar route. For example, Baldur’s Gate 3 requires about 113 hours to beat, especially when diving into the side quests. The game is lauded for its detailed character creation, but it’s fair to criticize the length. Completing it requires a significant time investment.
Why Are Modern Video Games So Long?
Your favorite titles have become more expensive over the last few years. Publishers are instituting $70 minimum prices for AAA games, so developers are responding with longer story modes to justify the cost to consumers. If you play for a long time, that means more opportunities to buy virtual currency and other microtransactions.
Another reason for the length of games is developers’ desire to showcase their world-building prowess, using the game as a canvas to create vast, intricate environments filled with content. Every time a long video game comes out, it sets the bar even higher. It’s hardly enough for a game like Elden Ring to receive critical acclaim and accolades — it has to be bigger and better than its competitors.
The Problem With Modern Game Lengths
Is longer always better with video games? The answer is no. Here are a few problems stemming from the length of modern games.
1. Bloated Content
A 100-hour story mode could likely be cut in half. However, developers pack it with fluff that’s irrelevant to the campaign. For instance, Persona 5 spends way too much time on a trip to Hawaii that the developers could’ve skipped.
2. Increased Burnout
While gamers approach campaigns differently, a 100-hour requirement can be taxing. If you spend a month playing and barely get halfway, you may feel discouraged. Bloated stories and lengthy quest logs lead to burnout and a weary sense of obligation.
3. Lack of Replayability
The best games of all time are often replayable. However, if you have to spend a week’s worth of time playing the campaign, it’s hard to go back to it later. The one-and-done mentality has hurt the video game industry — you could be spending this time playing other games instead.
4. Less Access for Busy People
It’s hard to find the time to play any video games, much less the ones with unrealistic lengths. A 2024 Gallup survey said the average American worked 42.9 hours weekly, a slight decrease from 2019. That extra time is likely spent with loved ones or on other pressing tasks. Long gaming sessions can also compete with other leisure activities, such as reading and watching movies.
Less Is More: A Better Future for Gaming
Developers must rethink their approach to long video games. Density should be the primary focus, rather than size. Open worlds are more fun if they’re dense and meaningful. Make the campaign mode shorter and reserve the 100-hour time slot for completionists. They can do side quests to their heart’s desire, while others are satisfied with a shorter campaign.
