Gaming luminary Tim Cain, the visionary creator behind the iconic Fallout series, recently delved into a topic close to the heart of many adventurers: the sprawling, epic-length RPG. While you might recall Fallout‘s original outing as a substantial quest, its roughly 20-hour completion time pales in comparison to what Cain deems truly “long” – games demanding 100 hours or more of your dedicated playtime.
Speaking on his insightful YouTube channel, Cain contrasted this with his later creation, Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura, which was designed for a 40-80 hour journey but could easily stretch beyond the century mark for the truly dedicated explorer.
So, what makes these colossal adventures worth the monumental effort, both for players and developers?
The Grandeur of the Epic: Deeper Worlds, Richer Stories
Cain champions the potential of long RPGs to weave “a very deep story,” offering unparalleled space for “a lot more reactivity.” Imagine a game world that truly remembers your choices, your attire, even the unique ways you conquer its challenges. “In Arcanum,” Cain shared, “we looked for what you were wearing, ways you finished quests.” This depth allows for incredibly immersive and personal player experiences.
Furthermore, the capacity for “a lot of different player builds” is a massive boon. Cain believes this encourages multiple playthroughs, sparking vibrant online discussions and more reviews – all fantastic outcomes for developers looking to share their creation with a wider audience.
Navigating the Labyrinth: The Challenges of Colossal Games
However, this rich reactivity can be a double-edged sword. “Can you telegraph that reactivity to the player?” Cain mused. The potential pitfall? “80 hours later, you find out, ‘Uh, I’m totally screwed for the choice of action I picked 80 hours ago.’ I don’t know anybody who’s going to reload a save game from back then, all you’ve done is really annoy them.” Ensuring players understand the long-term consequences of their actions is a delicate balancing act.
The sheer scale also brings practical hurdles. A significant con, Cain points out, is that “some players will never finish it.” He acknowledges the common sight of digital game libraries overflowing with titles, many uninstalled or barely touched. “The longer the game is, the less likely people are to finish.” In fact, the daunting prospect of a “120 hours long” game can deter some players, like Cain himself, from even starting, preferring to complete several shorter experiences in the same timeframe.
While some gamers feel shorter titles don’t offer enough bang for their buck, Cain suggests “the loss is bigger both proportionally and in terms of total numbers for making a long game” due to these completion and initial buy-in challenges.
The Price of Ambition: Sky-High Development Costs
Finally, there’s the unavoidable financial reality. “A bigger game is always more money,” Cain stated, citing the need for “more maps, more variety of creatures, more NPCs, more voice over, more everything.” The development of such vast worlds is a massive undertaking in time and resources. “The sheer act of creating all that. Way more time, way more money,” he emphasized. This, Cain concludes, offers a clear answer to a common question: “Some people go, ‘Why are games costing 150 million, 500 million, a billion?’ That’s why.”
Tim Cain’s insights paint a fascinating picture of the passion and precision required to craft these beloved, lengthy RPGs – a monumental gamble that, when successful, delivers some of gaming’s most memorable and cherished journeys.
Feeling inspired for an epic quest? Why not explore some of the best RPGs available to dive into today!
