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The Myth of the 40 Hour Game
Over at Wired, Clive Thompson talks about the myth of the 40 hour game, the typical length of time listed on the side of a game box nowadays. Mr. Thompsons discusses the ways in which that estimate fails to jive with reality. From the article: "This game offers about 40 hours of play. This is precisely what I was told by Eidos — and countless game reviewers — when I picked up Tomb Raider: Legend earlier this year. As I gushed at the time, Legend was the first genuinely superb Lara Croft game in years... I was hooked — and eager to finish the game and solve the mystery. So I shoved it into my PS2, dual-wielded the pistols and began playing... until about four weeks later, when I finally threw in the towel. Why? Because I couldn't get anywhere near the end. I plugged away at the game whenever I could squeeze an hour away from my day job and my family. All told, I spent far more than 40 hours — but still only got two-thirds through."
Huh? He's complaining the game is too long? Hey, I understand the desire for quick fun games, which is why I still enjoy Pacman and Galaga (or even minesweeper and solitare). But complaining about something like this is asinine.
Between two kids and only having (maybe) two hours of free time from 8-10pm each day (and when I'm not spending time with the wife, reading, or just vegging out), it took me six months to complete HL2. Do I deserve a refund?
.. until about four weeks later, when I finally threw in the towel. Why? Because I couldn't get anywhere near the end. I plugged away at the game whenever I could squeeze an hour away from my day job and my family. All told, I spent far more than 40 hours -- but still only got two-thirds through.
At some point, I sadly realized I just couldn't afford any more time. I've got a life to lead: Books to read, a day job, my infant son to hang out with, other games beckoning. That's why I've collected a shockingly large mausoleum of unfinished games over the years. Kingdom Hearts II? Stopped halfway. Kameo? Three-quarters through. Enchanted Arms? Eh -- I'm this close to bailing out.
Maybe this guy's problem is he takes on too much. Or maybe that he can't finish anything. Instead of buying a new game, why not save some money, and finish one of the games he's given up on? If the box said it would take 80 hours, would he have spent the same amount of time on the game as he did on the game that said it'd take 40 hours? Double? Would he still complain? What if it said 10 hours? Would he play it for 15, fail to finish, and whine some more, or would he look at that 10 hour number, skip the game, and proceed to write a column about it, complaining about how games are too short?
Is EVERYONE a whiny bitch now?
Boo Hoo, I bought a game and am getting TOO MUCH time from it. I'm unable to finish it in the exact timeframe it should take... WAAAAAAHHHHH
God, cry me a river please. In the current world of shrinking boxes, nonexistant manuals, and savepoints whenever you feel like saving, if anything games are getting too EASY. Now you want them to get even shorter... Wow...