Hours of gameplay in Prey?

[Electrii]

Hey guys, apparently on the latest 1up podcast one of the designers of Prey mentioned that the demo covers about 20% of the full game. I found that pretty worrying, since I planned to buy this one mainly for the single player game, and expected it to be longer :doh:

Could any of you HH/3DR guys chime in to clear the issue? how long would you say the game is?

Thanks.

[Phayzon]

I hope its only 5 or 10%... Those 5 levels werent the hour they were supposed to be (30min at most)

[Gryph]

I don't think so. If the demo supposedly is around 1 hr and it is 20% of the whole game that would mean the game is 5 hours (takes about 12 hours according to Jason Bergman of 2K Games).

[George Broussard]

That's a misleading comment. There are many levels later in the game that take as long to play as the full set of demo levels (45 mins), so I wouldn't worry, too much.

[Straw Dog]

This is why I'm not downloading the demo. I've been playing games long enough to know a winner when I see it and to be able to gauge how good a game is from preview and forum reactions. I know full well I'm going to spend my hard earned on this game, its pretty much got everything I want from an FPS and utilises my favourite graphics engine so I don't want anything spoiled before I play the game I paid for. I want to get my maximum moneys worth from it.....

....So hurry up and get that release date sorted you evil temptresses at 3d realms!!! do you people have any idea how tempted I am to download this demo? :flame: every day it mocks me.

Must... resist... demo.... :doh: must.. wait for... gold... announcement...:insomnia:

[Kupferdrache]

You must not resist, since you can use the savegames of the demo for the full game. If you already know you will buy it, you can just play now the first parts... and than just go on when you have the full game. ;)
(Did I help you? So... why haven't you started to download in the last five secs? Hurry, now! *grin*)

[SuperSaiyan4]

That's a misleading comment. There are many levels later in the game that take as long to play as the full set of demo levels (45 mins), so I wouldn't worry, too much.


Can you advise if this game is longer than the average 8-10hrs of most fps games? Would be nice to have a fps that lasts at least 15hrs.

[FrozeN91]

If it's 5 hours, (which I really doubt) then I'll be kinda pissed :insomnia:

[Denz]

Most people that finish games in less than 10 hours play the games in super easy. But i don't know if there is a Super easy with prey.

[The Doctor]

the 20% must be relative to the number of levels then. Which would mean there are around 25 levels, which become much bigger / take more time to complete as the game progresses, like George says.

[SuperSaiyan4]

Most people that finish games in less than 10 hours play the games in super easy. But i don't know if there is a Super easy with prey.

Thats BS, I have played many fps games on normal and they last betweek 8-10hrs, Max Payne 2 is a prime example maximum game time is 6hrs! Timesplitters 3 took me on normal I believe 7-8hrs!

[Agulf]

I hope its only 5 or 10%... Those 5 levels werent the hour they were supposed to be (30min at most)

I for one didn't run through this demo in 30 minutes. I looked at everything; even died repeatedly on the poopers just so I could play the mini-game. I spent at least 2 hours exploring the environment and playing around with the portals until I completed the demo. So I'm not really worried about the length of the full game. :insomnia:

[Straw Dog]

You must not resist, since you can use the savegames of the demo for the full game. If you already know you will buy it, you can just play now the first parts... and than just go on when you have the full game. ;)
(Did I help you? So... why haven't you started to download in the last five secs? Hurry, now! *grin*)

Nooooooooo, begone evil minion of Beelzebub. Tempt me not further.

Must...not..... listen to...Kupferdrache... must not visit... Fileshack.... Gold announcement.... must be.... any...day............now....

[Nihilanth]

Thats BS, I have played many fps games on normal and they last betweek 8-10hrs, Max Payne 2 is a prime example maximum game time is 6hrs! Timesplitters 3 took me on normal I believe 7-8hrs!

Yep, that's true. At the moment I'm doing my crazy project of checking how much time it takes to finish certain games. It's of course a little misinforming due to the fact that I know these games well, but I'm not speeding it up or rushing through, I'm playing just like it's meant to be played. Results are kinda shocking. Maybe I'll post'em in General Gaming section once I'll finish all games I'm aiming for, but suffice to say that HL1 takes 5.5h, System Shock 2 with marine training took me near 11h, Deus Ex takes 11-13h. It's important that the very first play always differs while you can spend long time with just one puzzle or boss, but it's interesting because it's true that sometimes you can spend entire weeks while completing a game. :)

[Denz]

Thats BS, I have played many fps games on normal and they last betweek 8-10hrs, Max Payne 2 is a prime example maximum game time is 6hrs! Timesplitters 3 took me on normal I believe 7-8hrs!


I said Easy, err super easy... Not medium. Go play MGS on easy, you will finish it in 3 4 hours...


On the other hand, just try COD 1 on veteran or commando (i don't remenber which is the highest)difficulty. And go finish it in 5-10 hours, the time it takes on easy. But it's not fun at all.

But games are real short, like Postel 2 can be finished in 2 hours, FPSes in general 10 to 15 hours. The only game that has lasted me long for now is Rome Total war.

[Ivan]

Max Payne 2 is a prime example maximum game time is 6hrs

That's called playing for playing and for finishing the game. Not enjoying it.

[hiob]

As George said its a misleading comment. He said the demo (not the sp campaign) is 20% of the game, he is referring to the 5 levels, the multiplayer levels and everything else (weapons, enemys etc). So calm down ;)

[Tyrant's Heart]

Nooooooooo, begone evil minion of Beelzebub. Tempt me not further.

Must...not..... listen to...Kupferdrache... must not visit... Fileshack.... Gold announcement.... must be.... any...day............now....


Oh, lookie, I think found the demo on torrents. Tee hee:D

Did you know torrents are faster? I prefer torrents 'cos torrents don't die on me, while Fileshack always does; they stop, you have to start all over. Torrents would never do such a thing 'cos they are my friends. Tee hee:D

[Tang Lung]

20 per cent of the content, NOT the playtime then?

[Denz]

There is also the multiplreyer!

[jet jaguar 2.0]

They should do like Halo and fill out 2 hours of play with monotonous, cookie cutter levels.

As much as I'm hyped about Prey, I'm so much more hyped about DNF simply because DNF will be mostly set on Earth which lends itself to crazy amounts of interactivity(arcade games, pool tables, toilets, tv, porn theaters, strip clubs, vending machines, etc) and that alone extends the playtime for me since I'll be looking through every nook and cranny for these interactive items/objects.

[Damien_Azreal]

There are 22 levels in the final game, the first five are very short. Introducing you to the gameplay and various new gameplay options.
George and Tim have both said several times that later levels take much longer to play. And several levels later in the game can take as long as it takes to play the demo.
It's all about pacing, sure the first levels will be short. I would rathe rit be that way instead of long ass first levels and then really short end levels. :D

[Malgon]

It's all about pacing, sure the first levels will be short. I would rather it be that way instead of long ass first levels and then really short end levels.

Good point D_A. :)

Levels should get longer as the game continues imo. Sometimes shorter end levels can help raise the excitement and feel like the game is ramping up for a huge finale though.
On the other hand longer end levels can do the same thing and help build tension and wonder at how it may all end.
It's all relative and it all depends on what sort of approach the developer would like to do. It can work either way really, just as long as it's all fun whether it's short or long. :)

[Scott Miller]

The demo is at most 10% of the full game, but closer to 7.5% is my guess. But, as far as the coolness factor, the demo is at most 5%. You guys just have no idea what's coming! ;-)

[elsenator]

Also, i think we have to keep in mind that the deathwalks keeps us from having to replay pieces of the game again and again. So, if that takes an hour from the gameplay, it is totally all right with me.

I'd rather have an intense and interesting experience, than a frustratingly annoying one with reloads everytime a big monster appears...

[ercdevious]

Its only been in development for like 10 years, thats what.. An hour per year?
Sorry my sarcastic side came out because its the morning.. Im still really looking forward to it :)
Im going to go play the demo again now..

[FireFly]

Its only been in development for like 10 years, thats what.. An hour per year?
This version of Prey has been in development since 2001, with HH only getting the Doom 3 engine in late 2001.

[ercdevious]

I was only joking :)
Im loving it so far..

[hiob]

The demo is at most 10% of the full game, but closer to 7.5% is my guess. But, as far as the coolness factor, the demo is at most 5%. You guys just have no idea what's coming! ;-)

strangely no one seems to pay attention to Scott. he said it, everythings cool - it´s Miller- time :D

[George Broussard]

20 per cent of the content, NOT the playtime then?
Certainly not.

[Chaos Marine]

Most people that finish games in less than 10 hours play the games in super easy. But i don't know if there is a Super easy with prey.


Agreed, I just hope that they don't force you to play through the easier difficulties before allowing you to play the harder difficulties because I much rather start playing from the hardest difficulty settings.

[Chaos Marine]

Oh, lookie, I think found the demo on torrents. Tee hee:D

Did you know torrents are faster? I prefer torrents 'cos torrents don't die on me, while Fileshack always does; they stop, you have to start all over. Torrents would never do such a thing 'cos they are my friends. Tee hee:D

www.filefront.com for all your file needs. Trust me, this is even better than File Planet even before it went to hell in a handbasket.

[steve30x]

Is the demo available to download on XBOX Live yet. I have left my XBOX 360 at my sisters house today and wont be able to check until tomorrow?

[Gryph]

Historically MS doesn't release things on Friday-Sunday. Hopefully it will be released tomorrow. XBOX 360 people should experience the awesomeness that is Prey ASAP. :D

[Straw Dog]

The demo is at most 10% of the full game, but closer to 7.5% is my guess. But, as far as the coolness factor, the demo is at most 5%. You guys just have no idea what's coming! ;-)

I do... 95% coolness right? and a wall that looks like a vagina. Really.. what were you guys smoking the day you came up with that?

[Kristian Joensen]

This version of Prey has been in development since 2001, with HH only getting the Doom 3 engine in late 2001.

Yes to supplement HH got the first Doom 3 codedrop in August 2001.

[FrozeN91]

Scott Miller: But, as far as the coolness factor, the demo is at most 5%. You guys just have no idea what's coming! ;-)

The full game must be extremly cool them since the demo is awesome! :)

[Azzaroth]

I just cant wait for this . Its gonna be awsome!!!! Ive already started designing some maps!!

[Electrii]

Dang, didn't realize this thread was still going.
Anyways, I'm now at ease!! can't wait for july 10th.

[Phayzon]

As George said its a misleading comment. He said the demo (not the sp campaign) is 20% of the game, he is referring to the 5 levels, the multiplayer levels and everything else (weapons, enemys etc). So calm down ;)

Ahh...

[Tyrant's Heart]

www.filefront.com for all your file needs. Trust me, this is even better than File Planet even before it went to hell in a handbasket.


Well, I'm using Internet Download Manager. Almost every "File-" sites doesn't support resuming, so I hope what you recommend is different.

[KaiserSoze]

I swore I read somewhere here that the length of Prey is at least 10 hours, if not more.

There are some nasty rumors the full game only takes 6 hours to complete.

I'm calling bullsh!t on that one but thought it should be addressed again by those in the know as it's catching fire over in some places I've been browsing.

Thanks. :)

[Aegeri]

Apparently the game takes 12 hours to complete, which is about right for an FPS game I would say.

[brandon105]

wrong, 15+ is more like it.

[Aegeri]

Oh lols, 6 hours, 12 hours and now 15+. Three different people with three different answers!!!1oneone

Incidentally, the gamespot preview I read a while back might have mentioned they had been playing for eight hours or so. Can't remember now.

I doubt it is six hours. That would just be ridiculous.

[brandon105]

yea, and they were half way..so its around 15+..around 16....whatever play style you choose....it will take me 1 month. lol

[Joe Siegler]

It depends on how you play. If you fly through it to say "I'm done", it'll be a lot faster than if you explore, experience, etc. If you skip all the Art Bell calls, that cuts off some time, etc...

[KaiserSoze]

It depends on how you play. If you fly through it to say "I'm done", it'll be a lot faster than if you explore, experience, etc. If you skip all the Art Bell calls, that cuts off some time, etc...

Check your pm please Joe.

Anyways, thought I'd post about it as there are people claiming they've played through the whole game in 2 hours and 2 other guys saying they played through it in 6 hours.

Other posters there are now debating a purchase of the game.

[kamikaze]

Joe,

You might want to address www.bluesnews.com - the comments there on the Gold announcement are all saying 6 hours and people are believing it and saying they're not buying.

This kind of thing pees me off as they're just guessing and others are taking it as fact.

[Damien_Azreal]

I'm hoping to get about 15+ hours out of PREY... and with how I play I should accomplish this.

[brock2621]

Yeah i would like to know the average play through in the 3d realms office. I don't mind a game being 10 hours. FEAR was 11 for me but i loved it because the production value was so high. As games get more complex i think it's hard to keep the momentum going with the current budgets of games for more than 10 hours. Now if they raised the price to say 70 dollars then i think it could be a longer game.

[Joe Siegler]

I can't play damage control everywhere that somebody shows up and claims to have played the whole thing and finished it in two hours. I'd live on forums, and quite frankly, there's better things in life than living for playing damage control chasing down people who are making up crap anyway.

Two hours. That's just so laughable it's not even worth responding to.

[AWE300]

Man.. it's amazing how ANY small word can be twisted to something bad. All that was said was "Prey has roughly 22 levels".

Some not so intelligent people then thought "Hey, the demo has five, if the full game has roughly 5 times more levels, the full game will also take only roughly 5 times more time to finish, which is barely 6 hours!!11", completely ignoring that the introduction levels are of course much shorter than the rest of the game

[Damien_Azreal]

Yeah, and just because the game has 22 levels that's short? HL2 had 12 chapters... FEAR had 12 chapters... the number of levels has nothign to do with length of the game.

It's all about pacing, length of the levels, and your gameplay style.

[Joe Siegler]

Yeah, some of the latter levels are extremely long.

As for this perception thing, Awe - that's the kind of thing that I can't go around following up on. Besides, people who would do that generally have made their mind up anyway, and whatever I'd say would be discounted as "corporate lying" or something along those lines.

[Damien_Azreal]

If someone is willing to give on a game just because of a rumor like that, they probably weren't really into the game to begin with.

[AWE300]

But it's just sad. I hope not many people believe this rumour.

[Nessus]

3DR said the demo would be an hour and it was, took me an 1:15, so when they say the full game is 12 hours I take them at thier word.

[hiob]

Yeah, some of the latter levels are extremely long.

i hope you mean later levels and not ladder levels :p
anyone remembers the giant ladder in Metal Gear Solid 3 :doh:

[brock2621]

Man... 6 hours would be fine for me. I mean if it's truely fun to play with memorable moments it's worth 50 bucks to me. I pay that for me and my gf to go to six flags or kings island etc. I'd pay 30 dollars for HL Episode 1. I thought it was exceedingly well done and had a good emotional pull. I know that's just me but does anybody remember when snes games were $70-$80??

[Aegeri]

Incidentally, 6 hours would definitely not be worth my $84.95 NZ that I've paid for this game. I can't see myself playing a lot of multiprey with how badly it seems to lag.

In any event, I think the "Durrr" logic in simply taking 5 short demo levels and figuring out, somehow, that there are 22 levels in total = 6 hours [when you multiply things out]. Unfortunately simple maths is all that some people can actually do...

[Gryph]

Maarten Goldstein of Shacknews and Will Smith, editor-in-chief of Maximum PC magazine, have said about 8 hours.

I've come to the point where I don't care about game length anymore. Actually I find most FPS games to be too long and outlive their welcome by putting in long boring stretches to artificially increase game time (I'm looking right at you Doom 3 and HL2). I'd say that's a good length for an FPS game.

[brock2621]

I hope this doesn't turn into such a huge stupid deal like the online activation was. It's going to be an amazing game. I don't think it will change fps shooters the way Half Life did, but it will challenge other companies with their new ideas and esp. their top quality gun animations. They are amazing.

[velvet]

It depends on how you play. If you fly through it to say "I'm done", it'll be a lot faster than if you explore, experience, etc. If you skip all the Art Bell calls, that cuts off some time, etc...

there are more art bell calls? awesome :D

[9Nails]

Man... 6 hours would be fine for me. I mean if it's truely fun to play with memorable moments it's worth 50 bucks to me. I pay that for me and my gf to go to six flags or kings island etc. I'd pay 30 dollars for HL Episode 1. I thought it was exceedingly well done and had a good emotional pull. I know that's just me but does anybody remember when snes games were $70-$80??

Yup... I also remember when Neo-Geo games were $199 a pop! Ouch! I won a Neo-Geo system once. Best thing that I ever won in my life! I bought 3 games for it, and I gave up on buying any more.

I am also in the 6 hours is fine category. I don't need 20+ hours of killing the same alien scum level after level to get the point that the game is a FPS. As long as the story is good in the 6 hours, and the ending is such a cliff hanger like HL2 was or unconclusive like Doom 3, then I'm good. There's also some replay value in the game with the cool multipreyer options. And I don't discount the mod community from being capable of making some really enjoyable additions.

In a market over saturated with Military simulations, I fully welcome Prey!

[Joe Siegler]

there are more art bell calls? awesome :D

Yeah, I forget how many exactly, but there's several of them.

[avatar_58]

Maarten Goldstein of Shacknews and Will Smith, editor-in-chief of Maximum PC magazine, have said about 8 hours.

I've come to the point where I don't care about game length anymore. Actually I find most FPS games to be too long and outlive their welcome by putting in long boring stretches to artificially increase game time (I'm looking right at you Doom 3 and HL2). I'd say that's a good length for an FPS game.

Agreed. I'd rather play an interesting game that keeps my attention from beginning to end than a stretched out shooter that sticks areas in just to lengthen play time. I liked Doom 3, but I agree it tried its hardest to stretch as thin as possible.

[CHFlagg]

One of my godsons will take the minimum time - he just runs through and shoots.

Me - I could take days, I tend to stroll through looking at everything.

[Nessus]

Yeah, I forget how many exactly, but there's several of them.


Someone from 3DR or HH said there was about an hour of Art Bell in the game overall.

[Aegeri]

Someone from 3DR or HH said there was about an hour of Art Bell in the game overall.
I hope they got some genuine crazies to do a few of them. Like this woman in the US who claims she has been having sex with a 7 foot tall blonde lizard alien. It would add that extra touch of surrealness to the whole thing.

[Tim Gerritsen]

We had a blast with the Art Bell recordings. Sadly, Art's wife died not long after our recording session with him. He's since remarried and moved to the Philippines.

Honestly on the whole length thing, it really depends on how you play. If you did nothing but whip through the demo, ignoring most everything and just going through for the sake of speed, how long would it take you? We said it would take you 'about an hour' to actually play through that, seeing the sights and taking it all in.

Now the big question is, though, what would that cost you in terms of enjoyment? Honestly, if you just rip through the game like that, why are you even playing? Just to 'beat the game?' It's an experience, not a thing to be beaten. If all you care to do is 'finish it' then you probably could whip a couple hours off the game, sure, but you won't have fun, either. So what's the point?

It took our focus testers @10 hours to finish the game. Some more, some less, but the average was @10. Take that for what it's worth.

[avatar_58]

Now the big question is, though, what would that cost you in terms of enjoyment? Honestly, if you just rip through the game like that, why are you even playing? Just to 'beat the game?' It's an experience, not a thing to be beaten. If all you care to do is 'finish it' then you probably could whip a couple hours off the game, sure, but you won't have fun, either. So what's the point?

Well said Tim. By the looks of the demo the full game is really going to entertain me. :)

[Aegeri]

It took our focus testers @10 hours to finish the game. Some more, some less, but the average was @10. Take that for what it's worth.

Fair enough and given that the likes of the head of a gaming mag/website are probably pretty hardcore gamers, 8-12 hours would seem a fair estimate. Probably given a players natural ability and their particular penchant for pissing around.

[Joe Siegler]

Fair enough and given that the likes of the head of a gaming mag/website are probably pretty hardcore gamers, 8-12 hours would seem a fair estimate. Probably given a players natural ability and their particular penchant for pissing around.

Or the suck level at solving puzzles. There were a few that really stumped me bigtime.

[Aegeri]

Or the suck level at solving puzzles. There were a few that really stumped me bigtime.

Ah that's quite true. There are quite a few people who get very confused about the exploding egg thingies and the doors. I imagine that the strategy forum will be buzzing with quite a few questions from highly disorientated gamers ;)

[Damien_Azreal]

Then there are gamers that examine and look into every little crack and dark corner. ;)

[avatar_58]

Then there are gamers that examine and look into every little crack and dark corner. ;)

I spent like 20 minutes in that bar the first time through. :D

[Damien_Azreal]

Same here... after I got done playing RuneMan... the clock behind the bar said it was like 2:01. :D

[DavoX]

Ah that's quite true. There are quite a few people who get very confused about the exploding egg thingies and the doors. I imagine that the strategy forum will be buzzing with quite a few questions from highly disorientated gamers ;)
Yeah, this forum is going to be flooded by those amateurs :p

[dark_angel]

I will take 8 hours of goodness over 16 hours of "H - emptiness world and boring gameplay - L2" anytime!

[hell-angel]

I will take 8 hours of goodness over 16 hours of "H - emptiness world and boring gameplay - L2" anytime!
QFT :D

[CHFlagg]

Then there are gamers that examine and look into every little crack and dark corner. ;)

I'm one of them. I just like to tinker with every switch and thingy that looks like it should be messed with.

[hell-angel]

I'm one of them. I just like to tinker with every switch and thingy that looks like it should be messed with.
And in every order that they can be messed with. ;)

[hanged_man]

I dont care if its 4, 6 or 10 hours ....I've played hl2: ep1 and found it very lengthy ..probably because its so fu***ing boring :p

[Kristian Joensen]

I swore I read somewhere here that the length of Prey is at least 10 hours, if not more.

There are some nasty rumors the full game only takes 6 hours to complete.

I'm calling bullsh!t on that one but thought it should be addressed again by those in the know as it's catching fire over in some places I've been browsing.

Thanks. :)

Kaiser this has already been addressed by Scott Miller:

The demo is at most 10% of the full game, but closer to 7.5% is my guess. But, as far as the coolness factor, the demo is at most 5%. You guys just have no idea what's coming! ;-)

[KaiserSoze]

Kaiser this has already been addressed by Scott Miller:


My question was already answered by Tim, thanks Tim!

Besides, the Scott Miller quote you posted doesn't address the hours of gameplay.

Thank you though.

[Kristian Joensen]

Well it does because the rumor originaly started by someone claiming that the demo was 20% of the game. Scott Miller was adressing the lenght of the game.

"Thank you though."

No problem.

Edit:

Just noticed the post by Tim, so I guess it will take me 30-40 hours. I say this not having finished Quake 4 after over 50 hours.

[kornbred]

Incidentally, 6 hours would definitely not be worth my $84.95 NZ that I've paid for this game. I can't see myself playing a lot of multiprey with how badly it seems to lag.

In any event, I think the "Durrr" logic in simply taking 5 short demo levels and figuring out, somehow, that there are 22 levels in total = 6 hours [when you multiply things out]. Unfortunately simple maths is all that some people can actually do...
You might have a bad connection. I have not gotten any lag with the Multiprey demo.

[PreyLover123]

Either Way, that's still 25 levels!!!