Techland believes that the future of gaming lies in shorter standalone titles similar to "Dying Light: The Beast"
Tymon Smektała, the franchise director at Techland for the renowned Dying Light series, anticipates a future wherein more game developers will shift towards creating shorter, standalone games, rather than exclusively focusing on extensive AAA titles. This perspective was shared during his conversation with GamesIndustry.biz at Gamescom in Cologne.
In light of recent developments, Techland announced Dying Light: The Beast as a separate game during the Opening Night Live event. Initially intended as a second DLC for Dying Light 2, plans were modified following a major leak that revealed significant story elements from the DLC. Smektała noted that committed fans, who would have been the primary audience for the DLC, might have had the game experience spoiled due to the leak.
The studio deliberated extensively on how to proceed. A new project inspired by original DLC concepts was conceived, which excited the team. This new direction brings back Kyle Crane, the protagonist from the original Dying Light, exploring his narrative of acquiring beast-like powers as a result of previous torment and experiments.
Despite the similarities, Dying Light: The Beast is distinct from Dying Light 3. Smektała explained that a separate path is envisioned for the third installment, and The Beast's development was more of a passionate side project.
Smektała described The Beast as more condensed than traditional AAA titles, akin to a "double espresso" — potent and focused. This concise approach reflects a broader trend in the gaming industry where major franchises are releasing smaller, standalone games amid their flagship titles, as seen with titles like Uncharted: The Lost Legacy and Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales.
From Smektała’s perspective, shorter games align well with the evolving lifestyle of players who may not have the time to engage with extensive titles. He shared his personal experiences with lengthy games becoming challenging as real-life demands increase. Hence, The Beast targets a 20-hour playtime, striking a balance between brevity and depth.
He also highlighted the industry's challenges with lengthy development cycles and substantial budgets for large games. The creation of shorter titles allows developers to innovate with fewer resources, a concept that appeals to many in the gaming sector.
Looking to reach a wider audience, Techland decided to release The Beast on older consoles like the PS4, as a significant number of PlayStation users remain active on these platforms. This commitment is partly driven by a desire not to overlook Ultimate Edition owners of Dying Light who would receive The Beast as a complimentary update instead of the previously planned DLC.
