UMVA has learned that a gamer's quest to organize their extensive game library led to a surprising discovery: many games are much shorter than expected, and some of Sony's most popular titles are among the longest.
The gamer, frustrated with not knowing how long each game would take to complete, devised a clever solution. They allowed the website Infinite Backlog to access their PSN profile, creating a list of all their games that could be exported to a spreadsheet. Then, with the help of ChatGPT, they wrote a Python code that combined the list with How Long to Beat, a website that provides game completion times.
However, the process was not without its challenges. The initial list only included games the gamer had previously opened or obtained a trophy in, leaving out many games they had purchased but never played. Adding these games manually proved to be a time-consuming task, but ultimately, the gamer arrived at a complete list of 600 games.
The gamer then organized their games into folders marked by completion time, from '1-2 hours' to '40+ hours'. The results were sometimes surprising: Resident Evil 3 clocks in at just six hours, while Power Wash Simulator offers a whopping 40 hours of gameplay. Portal can be completed in a mere three hours, while Metroid: Zero Mission takes around 4.5 hours.
The gamer's discovery highlights a significant issue in the gaming industry: the lack of clear labeling on game completion times. This omission can lead to frustration and disappointment when games take much longer or shorter than expected. The gamer argues that being short is not a failing, nor is being long a guarantee of enjoyment.
Armed with this new knowledge, the gamer has adopted a new strategy: playing shorter games on weeknights. They've enjoyed games like A Short Hike, Thank Goodness You're Here!, and Carrion, which can be completed in under eight hours. This approach has revitalized their gaming experience, allowing them to appreciate games in a way they hadn't been able to for years.
The gamer's experience serves as a reminder that gamers should be liberated from false starts, frustrated abandonments, and disrespected time. By investing time in organizing their game library, gamers can make more informed decisions about which games to play, given the time they have available.
As a result, the gamer's gaming landscape has narrowed, but they're now enjoying gaming again. Their approach may inspire others to take control of their gaming experience and make the most of their gaming time.
