How Long Is A Good Game?

[moobob9]

Ok, here's one more question for you guys to answer!

I could make this game a very long game, with lets say 2 "parts" of the story in one game. Or, I could make 2 separate games with a continuous story.

So what I'm asking is, would people enjoy a 6 hour game or two 3 hour games?

[heisenman]

People would enjoy the game regardless. The clever ones at least, there will always be someone who'd dislike it solely because it's short.
Since you could divide it in two parts, I suppose the plot unfolds in two separate acts. In this case, I'd suggest to release the first part, see what people liked/disliked about it, and finetuning the second part based on gamers reactions.

[EvilM00s]

Yes, but keep in mind that each installment needs to be its own buttoned-up story. In other words, if I play 2 without playing 1, I want to know that there is a background, but still know enough of the characters and setting to enjoy the sequel. If you do it right, you'll have me wanting the original.

[shintashi]

(eye candy + maps) * sqrt(Enemies+NPCs) * (options + party members)

Basically, more maps and pretty scenes, directly increases play time. Options, like customization and having a lot of different choices in actors also increases play time. Less important are the number of enemies and Non Player characters. Even the best movie gets broken up into 3 hour blocks because there's no interaction.

[moobob9]

If you want to see the main idea of the story, press this link. -> http://randominkgames.webs.com/apps/wiki/epequest-journey-to-sisseneg

[Ryosis]

To paraphrase my English professor, a good game is like a skirt: needs to be long enough to cover everything and short enough to hold my attention.

[DarkGamer]

*depends*

[moobob9]

*depends*

OK, what are you saying by that?

[DarkGamer]

well, basically it has been said already.

Short enough to keep me entertained, but long enough to keep me satisfied. I guess it all depends on the game itself, after all.

As stated before as long as needed to keep it interesting/satisfying.

[tracyk859]

Long enough to be complete, short enough to not overstay their welcome.



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[Gracie]

I think that things to take in account are:

1. Have you told the story?
2. Is it well paced?
3. Is it fun?

Those should be the deciding factors in how long your game is.

[yarow12]

If there is never a dull moment, the game can be 100 hours and people will still enjoy it. The only time gamers complain about the length of games is when it has dull and boring moments in it such as battles.
I, for one, am very tired of battles in RPGs and plan on making a game in which the player battles certain monsters/characters once. Except for Gilgamesh, of course. ^^

[hiromu656]

I like a long game, at least 15 hours I'd say, and if not that long, it's fine if it's nonlinear so I can make it's length fit my needs heheh

[Irock]

"And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years." - Abraham Lincoln

[LockeZ]

I like a long game, at least 15 hours I'd say, and if not that long, it's fine if it's nonlinear so I can make it's length fit my needs heheh

15 hours is very short...  I have not played many single-player games that are that long.  Most RPGs are between 30 and 50 hours long, with some of the longer ones reaching about 70-80 hours, maybe even 100+ if you do all the sidequests.  Less than 40 hours feels really short to me.

[hiromu656]

15 hours is very short...  I have not played many single-player games that are that long.  Most RPGs are between 30 and 50 hours long, with some of the longer ones reaching about 70-80 hours, maybe even 100+ if you do all the sidequests.  Less than 40 hours feels really short to me.
[/quote]

I know that's short, which is why I said at least. I just played through Dragon Warrior 7 on and off, the game took me 125 hours to complete, I don't plan on restarting... But I play many lengthy games, I just stuck with 15 because it's fairly average for games (including games other than RPG).

[heisenman]

I think "short" and "long" are relative to RpgMaker games standards not to RPGs in general.
15 hours is longer than most RM games I've played so far.

[Gracie]

Theres no real ideal length. Hell, my mutter has been playing monster hunter tri for 80+ hours now. Its about telling the story, keeping the player interested. It's hard, but if you can't tell the story, the length means nowt.

[LockeZ]

I think "short" and "long" are relative to RpgMaker games standards not to RPGs in general.
15 hours is longer than most RM games I've played so far.

Pretty sure that's just because people quit making RPG Maker games before they get anywhere, end them because they realize the game isn't fun enough to keep playing any longer, or are extremely incompetent and don't have more than a few hours worth of ideas, or get sick of game design because they aren't really serious about it.  Not because they think it actually improves the game.  I've never talked to anyone who thought that if a game is fun it should end after only a few hours, and I have a hard time imagining such a person.  Anything can potentially get old after enough time, but 20-30 hours is definitely not enough time for any decent video game to get old.  (Though it's definitely more than enough time for the player to realize the game is bad.)

In any case, I don't hold RPG Maker games to any different standards than other games.  Games are games, whether they're made by big companies or indie developers.  If one game is better than another, then I'm going to like it more, regardless of which one of the two was made by Squaresoft and which one was made by a couple guys in their basement.  I've played lots of indie games that are as good as the top 10% of commercial games and I've played lots of indie games that are as bad as the bottom 10% of commercial games.

[luiishu535]

Depends of the type of the game. In my opinion: A good and serious game should be around over 10 hours to 30 hours. That's a fitting length for a game. Maybe 12 hours. If the player likes the game it's playing, then they don't want the game to end for like 4 hours. Most people want a game to be longer then 3 or 6 hours, basicly because of it is a good or a bad game.
But short games can be good to, but I don't seriously understand how you can fit in a really nice game in 3 or 6 hours. It must be LONGER then that.

My game CO3 have been made like 30% of. And it's more then 3 hours long atleast. I plan the game to be around 20 hours maybe. That's a long game. And you may wonder why it is so long? Well, this game contains shitloads of Awesomness!

[luiishu535]

I think "short" and "long" are relative to RpgMaker games standards not to RPGs in general.
15 hours is longer than most RM games I've played so far.

Pretty sure that's just because people quit making RPG Maker games before they get anywhere, end them because they realize the game isn't fun enough to keep playing any longer, or are extremely incompetent and don't have more than a few hours worth of ideas, or get sick of game design because they aren't really serious about it.  Not because they think it actually improves the game.  I've never talked to anyone who thought that if a game is fun it should end after only a few hours, and I have a hard time imagining such a person.  Anything can potentially get old after enough time, but 20-30 hours is definitely not enough time for any decent video game to get old.  (Though it's definitely more than enough time for the player to realize the game is bad.)

In any case, I don't hold RPG Maker games to any different standards than other games.  Games are games, whether they're made by big companies or indie developers.  If one game is better than another, then I'm going to like it more, regardless of which one of the two was made by Squaresoft and which one was made by a couple guys in their basement.  I've played lots of indie games that are as good as the top 10% of commercial games and I've played lots of indie games that are as bad as the bottom 10% of commercial games.

Totally aggree with you. I make my game solo and my other friends on youtube that has made games. There's this guy who's made 4 AWESOME games. He's done it on his own to and he's about to release his 5th and final game by 2 or less weeks. I can't wait for the game!

[Zylos]

God, why is this thread still going?

[Grafikal]