Ex-PlayStation boss prefers 20-25 hour games over 100-hour behemoths
The modern video game landscape is booming, yet for many players, the experience comes with a hefty price tag—not just in purchasing the game, but in the sheer amount of time and development resources poured into them. Is this growth truly beneficial, or has the industry become overly bloated?
Some critics argue that the current trend favors massive, sprawling titles that demand hundreds of hours of playtime. This perspective is echoed by industry leaders who believe that focusing on quality and contained creativity will ultimately serve the health of the entire gaming ecosystem.
Shawn Layden, CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment Worldwide Studios, has voiced this opinion, suggesting that publishers should shift their focus toward smaller, more captivating releases. Layden points to the reality that many major games involve extensive, sometimes meandering, content—sometimes requiring players to complete unnecessary side quests just to unlock a simple objective.
He advocates for a design philosophy centered on efficiency and punch. Layden believes the ideal game is action-packed and immediately satisfying, comparable to a tightly executed film, rather than an endless, sprawling world that can feel like an obligation.
This philosophy addresses the excessive scope seen in major franchises. Games like the Assassin’s Creed series and the Final Fantasy entries, while beloved, often require considerable time and energy to complete, sometimes feeling burdened by repetitive structure or unnecessary filler content.
Layden suggests that this focus on tight design might stem from historical industry models, such as the rental culture of the 1990s, where developers were incentivized to create content that kept players engaged over time.
By adopting a design tenet to “keep it tight and keep it banging,” the industry could potentially mitigate astronomical development costs. The sheer scale of modern AAA development is staggering; estimates suggest that projects like Battlefield 6 cost over USD400 million to develop, and titles like GTA 6 have seen budgets climb to USD600 million. These massive expenditures often lead to developer burnout and widespread layoffs, highlighting an unsustainable trajectory.
The current climate of studio closures and layoffs suggests that the industry may be looking for structural changes. If developers pivot toward creating smaller-scale, high-impact experiences, the costs associated with development may stabilize or decrease, allowing for a more sustainable and creative future.
Meanwhile, consumer appetite for non-digital media is also growing. The continued sales of physical discs, as seen in the launch of titles like Marvel’s Wolverine, indicate a strong desire for tangible experiences in a digital world. It seems players are ready for games that offer immediate, focused, and unforgettable adventures.
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