Why Detroit: Become Human Might Be the Last Big Choice-Based Game of Its Generation

Look, I’ll be honest: when Quantic Dream announced that Detroit: Become Human had reached the impressive mark of 10 million units sold, I stopped to think. Not only because it’s a huge number for a game focused on narrative and choices, but because I realized that, today, such a feat seems increasingly… unlikely.

We live in an era where the industry values open-world games, competitive multiplayer, and live services. And, in this context, releasing a game like Detroit — with a high budget, cutting-edge technology for facial expressions, and a narrative that genuinely unfolds based on your decisions — has become a massive risk.

Personally, I love this formula. I played Heavy Rain, Beyond: Two Souls, and, of course, Detroit, and I was always impressed by their ability to make me feel in control of the story. But the question remains: will we see another game like this, with this level of ambition and success, in the coming years?

The answer, unfortunately, might be no. And I’ll explain why.

The Cost Behind the Choices – Why the Economics No Longer Add Up

Think about it: Detroit: Become Human is not just any game. The quality of the facial expressions, the detailed character modeling, the cinematic photography, and the immersive soundtrack… All of that is expensive. Very expensive. And when we talk about “choice-based games,” many people still associate it with something more “niche,” as if it were a shorter or less relevant experience than an open-world blockbuster. But that’s not true — and Quantic Dream proves it with every scene.

But here’s the catch: in 2024 (and look, we’re almost in 2025), the average player is more cautious about where they spend their money. Launching a title with this level of technical quality at full price is a shot in the dark. Unless the game has aggressive marketing — the kind that broke through the bubble like Detroit did — it’s hard to justify a financial return that covers the investment.

And look, it’s not just my impression. After the success of Detroit, several other games with branching narratives emerged, but many had a short lifespan or a lukewarm reception. The audience seems to be more selective. And if Quantic Dream, which is the top reference in the genre, thinks twice before announcing a new project in this style, imagine other developers?

The Invisible Saturation of the Genre

It might seem strange to talk about “saturation” in a genre that doesn’t release titles every year, but the truth is that today’s player is exposed to many choices… in practically every type of game. From massive RPGs like Baldur’s Gate 3 to indie experiences like Life is Strange, the mechanic of decision-making that impacts the story is no longer such a unique differentiator.

What Detroit did that was special was elevate it to a cinematic level. Every decision was tense, every consequence was visceral. But are players still willing to pay a premium for this experience, knowing that there are cheaper alternatives — or even ones included in subscription services?

As a fan, I say yes, but the masses… perhaps not. And that’s where the math doesn’t add up for publishers. They need guarantees of return, and the pure narrative genre has unfortunately become a risky bet.

The Future of Quantic Dream – And Where Major Publishers Come In

Here’s a point that many people don’t stop to think about: Quantic Dream is no longer that independent, “boutique” studio from years past. Since being acquired by NetEase in 2022, the team gained financial breathing room, but also started having to answer to different expectations. And when we’re talking about a Chinese giant investing millions, the pressure for results is real.

Don’t get me wrong — the partnership could be great. It could mean more resources for technology, more development time, maybe even more creative freedom? But it could also mean pressure for the games to sell on a global scale, with mass appeal. And does a game with a deep narrative, like Quantic’s classic titles, fit that profile?

I have my doubts. I think their next game will be a crucial thermometer for the genre. If it’s successful, it could rekindle the flame for narrative games. If not… it could be the last great gasp of an era.

Is There a Way Out? How the Genre Can Reinvent Itself

But all is not lost! The games industry is alive and always reinventing itself. If games like Detroit: Become Human no longer make sense as full-price products in the traditional model, perhaps the answer lies in alternative formats.

Think about it: what if these games were released in episodes, like Telltale did in its golden years? Or if they were offered as part of subscription catalogs, like PS Plus or Xbox Game Pass, where the consumer’s risk is lower and engagement could be higher? Or even, what about shorter experiences, at a reduced price, but with high emotional density and replayability?

I believe the audience for well-told stories will never disappear. We just need models that make it viable to produce these experiences — without sacrificing the quality that Quantic Dream has always delivered.

A Genre in Transition, But Not at Its End

Look, to wrap up this reflection, it’s important for us to understand that the games industry is cyclical. Just as fast-paced action games and shooters gave way to battle royales, which later shared space with open worlds and survival titles, narrative games are also undergoing a transformation.

Detroit: Become Human might, in fact, have been an outlier — a project that arrived at the right time, with the right technology, and captivated millions. But that doesn’t mean it’s the “last” of its kind. It might, instead, be a milestone that showed the peak of a format, before it reinvents itself.

As a player who loves a good story, I refuse to believe that we won’t see deep and emotional narratives like Detroit’s again. They might return in different formats, with leaner budgets, on new media, or distributed in other ways. The important thing is that the essence — the ability to make us feel part of the plot — remains.

Quantic Dream, like other developers, will have to balance ambition and viability. And we, as a community, can help by supporting these projects when they appear — whether by buying, commenting, or sharing them.

At the end of the day, as long as there are those who want not just to play, but to feel a story, the legacy of Detroit and choice-based games will live on. And I, for now, will remain hopeful — and keep an eye on what’s to come.

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