Hello Games: 10% of Joe Danger players have actually finished it
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Usually, when we purchase a game, we intend to experience as much of it as we can. Call us crazy, but isn't that the point? According to a blog entry over on Edge from Hello Games' Sean Murray, his studio's recent PSN release, Joe Danger, only had a 10 percent completion rate.
"Only about 10 percent of people who bought Joe Danger have completed it (their average play time is well over 20 hours)," he relayed. "Most journalists didn't get past the halfway mark. Was it a wasted effort to add those last few levels that most people don't see though? Is it valueless?"
It's a hot topic in the games community -- how long does a game need to be? How much of a game's value is specifically tied to how long it takes to complete it? Then you add in Trophies and Achievements and you've got a whole new layer complicating the argument. It's a good read, so hit up this link and give Murray's essay a gander.
"Only about 10 percent of people who bought Joe Danger have completed it (their average play time is well over 20 hours)," he relayed. "Most journalists didn't get past the halfway mark. Was it a wasted effort to add those last few levels that most people don't see though? Is it valueless?"
It's a hot topic in the games community -- how long does a game need to be? How much of a game's value is specifically tied to how long it takes to complete it? Then you add in Trophies and Achievements and you've got a whole new layer complicating the argument. It's a good read, so hit up this link and give Murray's essay a gander.
Reader Comments (99)
Posted: Aug 22nd 2010 7:06PM Gibbeynator said
Joe DANGA!
Posted: Aug 22nd 2010 7:07PM chromekreeper said
thats some descent value of the average is 20 hours and only 10 percent of people have finished it.
Posted: Aug 22nd 2010 8:37PM aristokrat said
@chromekreeper
You've got it backwards. Of the 10% that completed, their average playtime is 20 hours.
Reply
You've got it backwards. Of the 10% that completed, their average playtime is 20 hours.
Posted: Aug 22nd 2010 8:37PM ImAmplified said
@chromekreeper
Its a long enough game, but i think most of the time would be re-doing levels, at least for me it was. That could also be why only 10% finished it, unless you got a good run on a level, you prob had to redo it to get more stars, and you need stars to unlock more levels. I know this would irritate a few people so they would stop playing. Although its a fun game, so i don't mind.
Reply
Its a long enough game, but i think most of the time would be re-doing levels, at least for me it was. That could also be why only 10% finished it, unless you got a good run on a level, you prob had to redo it to get more stars, and you need stars to unlock more levels. I know this would irritate a few people so they would stop playing. Although its a fun game, so i don't mind.
Posted: Aug 22nd 2010 7:12PM Papa Neorev said
damn good game.......but yeah i need to get back to it and finish it lol
Posted: Aug 22nd 2010 7:13PM Miranda Lawson said
What is this? And Who is Joe Danger? Either it's really hard, or its like Heroin Hero. Play and play without a payoff.
Posted: Aug 22nd 2010 7:22PM Miranda Lawson said
@Faenix
It may be, but I don't use my PS3 for anything really. It sits, a beacon of wasted money.
Reply
It may be, but I don't use my PS3 for anything really. It sits, a beacon of wasted money.
Posted: Aug 22nd 2010 7:33PM Miranda Lawson said
@Faenix
It became a choice, I just decided to shift focus to one console which came to be the 360. PS1 and PS2 had stronger roles in my life.
Reply
It became a choice, I just decided to shift focus to one console which came to be the 360. PS1 and PS2 had stronger roles in my life.
Posted: Aug 22nd 2010 7:42PM Miranda Lawson said
@Faenix
If I had the money I'd buy for both systems, but Microsoft won me over when I broke my 360 out of warranty with a rock, then it red ringed. I sent it to them and they replaced it for free.
Reply
If I had the money I'd buy for both systems, but Microsoft won me over when I broke my 360 out of warranty with a rock, then it red ringed. I sent it to them and they replaced it for free.
Posted: Aug 22nd 2010 7:54PM The angry pro consumer gaming ga said
@Miranda Lawson Funny my 360 became a dust magnet the moment I decided I wouldn't pay for Live anymore.
Reply
Posted: Aug 22nd 2010 8:14PM Miranda Lawson said
@The angry pro consumer gaming ga
We just hooked them up with a debit card, so the money is taken out month by month for live without having to think about it.
Reply
We just hooked them up with a debit card, so the money is taken out month by month for live without having to think about it.
Posted: Aug 22nd 2010 8:15PM Miranda Lawson said
@Faenix
Same, Heavy Rain was the only thing I got for my PS3 since Heavenly Sword though, or was it that Indy car game. I can't remember for certain.
Reply
Same, Heavy Rain was the only thing I got for my PS3 since Heavenly Sword though, or was it that Indy car game. I can't remember for certain.
Posted: Aug 22nd 2010 8:30PM Miranda Lawson said
@Faenix
I'll go with selective taste, because it's more like a lair than a rock.
Reply
I'll go with selective taste, because it's more like a lair than a rock.
Posted: Aug 22nd 2010 9:30PM Miranda Lawson said
@Faenix
Thanks, Haters do what they do lol. It's cool.
Reply
Thanks, Haters do what they do lol. It's cool.
Posted: Aug 22nd 2010 10:30PM Miranda Lawson said
@Pure Black World Tendency
Not trying hook up on a game site, just using a Video Game character as a mask like everyone else on here that's got a character as a screename with matching avatar. I save the real stuff for myspace and what not. Feeling singled out on here, but that's why I said ''haters" Since it's seeming like all my comments are being tactically rated as negative no matter what they are. But that's only happened in this topic. Anyway that's the one and only time I'm gonna explain myself because I'm not trying to get in trouble on here my first day.
Reply
Not trying hook up on a game site, just using a Video Game character as a mask like everyone else on here that's got a character as a screename with matching avatar. I save the real stuff for myspace and what not. Feeling singled out on here, but that's why I said ''haters" Since it's seeming like all my comments are being tactically rated as negative no matter what they are. But that's only happened in this topic. Anyway that's the one and only time I'm gonna explain myself because I'm not trying to get in trouble on here my first day.
Posted: Aug 22nd 2010 10:44PM Faenix said
@Pure Black World Tendency
Could be, could not be.. this is the net, why care? It doesnt effect me, and im not here to judge.
Also, this is the net - so dont assume females are females. 9 times outta 10, its a male out for a laugh. :p
@Miranda Lawson
Everyone gets in trouble here sooner or later, even the active ones who post on nearly every topic becomes the next victim of the masses.
Reply
Could be, could not be.. this is the net, why care? It doesnt effect me, and im not here to judge.
Also, this is the net - so dont assume females are females. 9 times outta 10, its a male out for a laugh. :p
@Miranda Lawson
Everyone gets in trouble here sooner or later, even the active ones who post on nearly every topic becomes the next victim of the masses.
Posted: Aug 22nd 2010 10:47PM Miranda Lawson said
@Faenix
It's a change of pace for me if they assume I'm a boy, on sites where people know for a fact I'm not guys never leave me alone. And Yeah, we all got it coming sometime lol. Anyway, I'm going to bed in a bed. I'll be around again tomorrow. Until we meet again Faenix.
Reply
It's a change of pace for me if they assume I'm a boy, on sites where people know for a fact I'm not guys never leave me alone. And Yeah, we all got it coming sometime lol. Anyway, I'm going to bed in a bed. I'll be around again tomorrow. Until we meet again Faenix.
Posted: Aug 22nd 2010 10:49PM Miranda Lawson said
@Miranda Lawson
Meant to write ''bit" but bed in a bed has a curiousness to it. I may use that again one day.
Reply
Meant to write ''bit" but bed in a bed has a curiousness to it. I may use that again one day.
Posted: Aug 22nd 2010 7:14PM Angel Mass said
TL;DR
Posted: Aug 22nd 2010 7:17PM andrewpoe said
It's not really that the game is 'valueless' or 'a wasted effort,' it's just that every other game out there takes a lot of time to complete (RDR, GTA IV: Epsiodes from LIberty City, FFXIII, God of War 3, Limbo, Halo: Reach, Battlefield: BC2, etc.)
If this were the old days and good games took months even years to come out, I think the completion rate for Joe Danger would be higher. It kinda reminds me of an old school PS1 game in a lot of ways.
If this were the old days and good games took months even years to come out, I think the completion rate for Joe Danger would be higher. It kinda reminds me of an old school PS1 game in a lot of ways.
Posted: Aug 22nd 2010 7:35PM The Aquacharger said
@andrewpoe
Most people I've met have platinumed GoW 3 in less than a day.
Reply
Most people I've met have platinumed GoW 3 in less than a day.
Posted: Aug 22nd 2010 7:38PM Mustang Fanboy said
@The Aquacharger
you can platinum GOW3 if you have extra controllers or be really patient.
Reply
you can platinum GOW3 if you have extra controllers or be really patient.
Posted: Aug 22nd 2010 7:43PM The Aquacharger said
@Mustang Fanboy
Who doesn't have an extra controller?
But my point was, GoW3 was short. I had a friend beat it, let a few friends borrow it, and then sell it the third day it came out. All those friends had beaten the game too
Reply
Who doesn't have an extra controller?
But my point was, GoW3 was short. I had a friend beat it, let a few friends borrow it, and then sell it the third day it came out. All those friends had beaten the game too
Posted: Aug 22nd 2010 10:13PM andrewpoe said
@Shadowbender
No, I haven't -- even though I'm well aware of people supposedly getting a copy of Halo: Reach weeks before and illegally. I just used that as an example of a game that will zap people's time (either single player campaign or multi-player campaign).
Even then, I would have to say 2010 is probably one of the best years in gaming. Every month has a AAA game or a game that is greatly enjoyable and surprised people.
Reply
No, I haven't -- even though I'm well aware of people supposedly getting a copy of Halo: Reach weeks before and illegally. I just used that as an example of a game that will zap people's time (either single player campaign or multi-player campaign).
Even then, I would have to say 2010 is probably one of the best years in gaming. Every month has a AAA game or a game that is greatly enjoyable and surprised people.
Posted: Aug 22nd 2010 10:47PM Sly C said
@andrewpoe
BC2 doesn't take any time to beat either. i did it in one day. 2 sittings. i also had the surround sound on at a pretty decent volume so i couldn't hear right for the next 2 days.
totally worth it. if there's ANYTHING to praise BC2 for, it's hands-down the audio. breath taking.
Reply
BC2 doesn't take any time to beat either. i did it in one day. 2 sittings. i also had the surround sound on at a pretty decent volume so i couldn't hear right for the next 2 days.
totally worth it. if there's ANYTHING to praise BC2 for, it's hands-down the audio. breath taking.
Posted: Aug 22nd 2010 7:20PM Shadowbender said
This is sickening, I mean if it were a bad game, this would make sense, but it's not.
Posted: Aug 22nd 2010 8:00PM Chareth Cutestory said
@Shadowbender
Your bowl's a little hyper.
Does anyone really think that most people beat most of their games? I'd say the exact opposite is more true now than ever. Its probably even worse in cases, like this, of skill games.
Without some sort of flashy movie-like narrative to push people forward, most will just give up when presented with a seemingly insurmountable challenge.
That's why games like Bayonetta try things like the "press any button to win" mode.
Reply
Your bowl's a little hyper.
Does anyone really think that most people beat most of their games? I'd say the exact opposite is more true now than ever. Its probably even worse in cases, like this, of skill games.
Without some sort of flashy movie-like narrative to push people forward, most will just give up when presented with a seemingly insurmountable challenge.
That's why games like Bayonetta try things like the "press any button to win" mode.
Posted: Aug 22nd 2010 7:26PM vidguy said
It's an interesting debate. I always thought that the goal for game-time-until-completion should be dependent upon the type of experience.
Games that are built around multiplayer can have short Campaigns and still be worthy of purchase. It's sad to see good single-player games lost, though, when the development team focuses on multiplayer. CoD4 comes to mind here.
On the other side, games that operate on new but ultimately simplistic style or gameplay hooks need to be short. Braid and Limbo are great at the 4-6 hour mark, but I don't know if they could be nearly as rewarding or leave quite an impression at 15 or 20 hours.
Games that are built around multiplayer can have short Campaigns and still be worthy of purchase. It's sad to see good single-player games lost, though, when the development team focuses on multiplayer. CoD4 comes to mind here.
On the other side, games that operate on new but ultimately simplistic style or gameplay hooks need to be short. Braid and Limbo are great at the 4-6 hour mark, but I don't know if they could be nearly as rewarding or leave quite an impression at 15 or 20 hours.








