I’m curious about what people think regarding the price of short video games that you can finish in about 3 hours in one sitting, with no alternate playstyles to extend the time. Do you think games like this should cost around $5 on sale, or are you comfortable paying full price? For example, I want to buy “Mouthwashing” on PS5, but I keep remembering how, as a teenager, I bought games like “Journey” for $15-$20, beat them in a few hours, and felt a bit guilty about spending that much for such a short experience. What are your thoughts?
5 Answers
Honestly, I’m cool paying $15 for a short but well-crafted game. If it’s a bit longer, like closer to 4 hours, maybe $20 feels fair. If the experience is memorable and polished, length alone isn’t everything to me.
For me, I put a price to time spent playing, like $5 per hour of fun. So for a 3-hour game, $15 sounds about right. But honestly, if the developer is someone I respect, I’m willing to pay more just to support them. Otherwise, I’ll usually wait for a sale to snag it cheaper.
I usually compare game prices to movie tickets. A 90-minute movie can cost $15 to $20, so if a short game gives me a similar or better experience, I don’t mind paying that amount, especially if there’s replay value or a story I care about.
I get what you mean about feeling weird spending $20 on something you finish quickly. I sometimes think a short narrative game might be better enjoyed by watching a YouTube playthrough if you want to save money. But if you care about the experience and want to play yourself, don’t stress too much. Just wait for a sale if you’re not sure – PS5 doesn’t have refunds, so better safe than sorry!
@CtrlAltN00b Yeah, that’s true. I guess for me, the replay value and the story matter. I love narrative games but now I’m more cautious about spending full price if the game is very short. Waiting for a sale on PS5 might be the way to go since I can’t refund them.
