A Way Out Dev Decries Obsession With Replayability Because Most Players Don’t Even Finish Games
It’s not uncommon for game developers to prioritize replayability as a way to extend the lifespan of their games and offer more value to players. However, Josef Fares, the game director of “A Way Out,” recently criticized this obsession with replayability, claiming that most players don’t even finish games, let alone replay them.
Fares’ comments are based on data showing that the vast majority of players don’t complete games, with completion rates for some titles as low as 10%. In his view, this suggests that developers should be focusing on making games that are engaging enough to keep players coming back, rather than trying to create an experience that can be played over and over again.
Fares also argues that replayability can sometimes come at the expense of other important aspects of game design, such as narrative and character development. In his view, if players are constantly replaying the same content, they may become desensitized to the story and characters, leading to a less immersive experience overall.
Of course, there are still benefits to including replayability in games, particularly for players who do enjoy replaying content or for multiplayer experiences. However, Fares’ comments highlight the importance of balancing replayability with other aspects of game design and recognizing that not all players will engage with a game in the same way.