Why you should make a short game

Summary

The speaker shares their renewed passion for game development, inspired by 'A Short Hike,' a game that respects player time with its concise, enjoyable gameplay. They critique the trend of prioritizing game length over quality, arguing for the value of shorter, focused experiences. The speaker announces their own project, a cozy adventure game aiming for a 2-4 hour playtime, emphasizing the importance of creating varied experiences that respect both developer and player time.

Takeaways

• 🎮 The speaker's favorite game is 'A Short Hike', released in 2019.
• 📚 Initially heard about the game at a GDC talk but didn't play it until the Christmas break of the previous year.
• 🛠️ The speaker has a habit of starting and abandoning game projects due to their large scope.
• 💡 The solution the speaker found is to make short games, inspired by 'A Short Hike'.
• 📉 The games industry often values games by their length, which can lead to padding and unfocused gameplay.
• 🔄 Longer games can be problematic due to slow starts, complex tutorials, and overstaying their welcome.
• 🕊️ 'A Short Hike' respects the player's time with a concise and enjoyable experience.
• 🏔️ The game's goal is straightforward: for the character Claire to reach the mountain top by collecting feathers.
• 🛍️ The game includes mini-games, quests, and exploration without taking too much time.
• 💰 'A Short Hike' has been financially successful, earning $2.2 million in net revenue since its launch.
• 👤 The game was developed almost entirely by one person in just 6 months, showcasing the viability of smaller games.
• 🚀 The speaker is inspired to create a cozy adventure game with a play length of 2 to 4 hours, aiming for completion within a year.
• 🔧 The speaker is using the GDAU engine for development and plans to share progress in the next video.

Q & A

What is the name of the game the speaker discusses in the video?

The game discussed is 'A Short Hike'.

When was 'A Short Hike' released?

'A Short Hike' was released in 2019.

What inspired the speaker to try 'A Short Hike'?

The speaker was inspired to try 'A Short Hike' after hearing about it from a talk by the game's developer at GDC a couple of years back.

Why did the speaker find 'A Short Hike' so appealing?

The speaker found 'A Short Hike' appealing because it respects the player's time, is not overly complex, and provides a relaxing and enjoyable experience.

What is the main goal of 'A Short Hike'?

The main goal of 'A Short Hike' is for the character Claire, an anthropomorphic bird, to reach the top of a mountain by collecting feathers.

How long did it take the speaker to complete 'A Short Hike'?

It took the speaker less than two hours to complete 'A Short Hike'.

What is the speaker's opinion on the trend of long games in the industry?

The speaker believes that the trend of long games often leads to padding and unfocused gameplay, and that shorter games can be more enjoyable and respectful of the player's time.

What is the speaker's plan for their own game development?

The speaker plans to create a cozy adventure game with an intended play length of around 2 to 4 hours, aiming to finish it within a year and have a demo ready for Steam NextFest.

What engine is the speaker using for their game development?

The speaker is using the GDAU engine for their game development.

What is the estimated net revenue of 'A Short Hike' since its launch?

According to Steam's marketing tool, 'A Short Hike' has made $2.2 million in net revenue since its launch in 2019.

What is the speaker's view on the importance of game length?

The speaker believes that game length should not be the primary focus; instead, the quality and respect for the player's time are more important.