{"id":227,"date":"2025-11-15T21:00:51","date_gmt":"2025-11-15T21:00:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/overcentral.com\/en\/why-detroit-become-human-last-choice-based-game\/"},"modified":"2025-11-15T21:00:51","modified_gmt":"2025-11-15T21:00:51","slug":"why-detroit-become-human-last-choice-based-game","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/overcentral.com\/en\/why-detroit-become-human-last-choice-based-game\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Detroit: Become Human Might Be the Last Big Choice-Based Game of Its Generation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Look, I’ll be honest: when Quantic Dream<\/a> announced that Detroit: Become Human<\/em> 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\u2026 unlikely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/a><\/em> \u2014 with a high budget, cutting-edge technology for facial expressions, and a narrative that genuinely unfolds based on your decisions \u2014 has become a massive risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Personally, I love this formula. I played Heavy Rain<\/em>, Beyond: Two Souls<\/em>, and, of course, Detroit<\/em>, 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?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The answer, unfortunately, might be no. And I’ll explain why.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Why<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Cost Behind the Choices \u2013 Why the Economics No Longer Add Up<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Think about it: Detroit: Become Human<\/em> is not just any game. The quality of the facial expressions, the detailed character modeling, the cinematic photography, and the immersive soundtrack\u2026 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 \u2014 and Quantic Dream proves it with every scene.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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 \u2014 the kind that broke through the bubble like Detroit<\/em> did \u2014 it’s hard to justify a financial return that covers the investment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And look, it’s not just my impression. After the success of Detroit<\/em>, 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?<\/p>\n\n\n\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\"Windows\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t
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\t\t\n\t\tWindows 11’s Built-In Weather App Wastes More Than 1 GB of RAM: Why “Just Disable It” Is the Wrong Fix\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\tAugust 29, 2026<\/time>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\t\t\n\t\tPrivate Credit Under Strain as Troubled Loans Swell: Why the Standard Advice No Longer Holds\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\tAugust 29, 2026<\/time>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\n\n

The Invisible Saturation of the Genre<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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<\/em> choices\u2026 in practically every type of game. From massive RPGs like Baldur’s Gate 3<\/em> to indie experiences like Life is Strange<\/em>, the mechanic of decision-making that impacts the story is no longer such a unique differentiator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Detroit<\/em> did that was special was elevate it to a cinematic<\/em> 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 \u2014 or even ones included in subscription services?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fan, I say yes, but the masses\u2026 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Why<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Future of Quantic Dream \u2013 And Where Major Publishers Come In<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\t\t

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\t\t\n\t\tWhy Einride\u2019s 500 Tesla Semi Deal Challenges the \u2018Go Slow\u2019 Advice on Fleet Electrification\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\tAugust 29, 2026<\/time>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\t\t\n\t\t6. Anker Prime Charger 250W \u2014 Desktop Charger Handling Multiple High-Power Devices at Once: Why the Standard Advice Falls Short\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\tAugust 29, 2026<\/time>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\n\n

Don’t get me wrong \u2014 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?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2026 it could be the last great gasp of an era.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Why<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Is There a Way Out? How the Genre Can Reinvent Itself<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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

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?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I believe the audience for well-told stories will never disappear. We just need models that make it viable to produce these experiences \u2014 without sacrificing the quality that Quantic Dream has always delivered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Genre in Transition, But Not at Its End<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Detroit: Become Human<\/em> might, in fact, have been an outlier \u2014 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a player who loves a good story, I refuse to believe that we won’t see deep and emotional narratives like Detroit’s<\/em> 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 \u2014 the ability to make us feel part of the plot \u2014 remains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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 \u2014 whether by buying, commenting, or sharing them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the day, as long as there are those who want not just to play, but to feel<\/em> a story, the legacy of Detroit<\/em> and choice-based games will live on. And I, for now, will remain hopeful \u2014 and keep an eye on what’s to come.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Why<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Frequently Asked Questions – FAQ<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n
\n
\n
\n

How many copies did Detroit: Become Human sell?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n\n

Detroit: Become Human<\/em> reached the mark of over 10 million units sold<\/em> worldwide, making it one of the most successful narrative games in history.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Why aren’t more games like Detroit: Become Human being released?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n\n

Games in this style require high budgets, cutting-edge technology,<\/em> and have a more niche audience. With the industry prioritizing titles with mass appeal and quick financial returns, the risk of launching full-price<\/em> narrative games has increased.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Is Quantic Dream going to release a new game?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n\n

Quantic Dream was acquired by NetEase in 2022 and has projects in development, but has not yet announced a direct successor to Detroit<\/em>. It is speculated that the studio’s next game might follow a different direction to attract a broader audience.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n

What are some games similar to Detroit: Become Human?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n\n

Besides Quantic Dream’s classic trilogy (Heavy Rain, Beyond: Two Souls<\/em>), we recommend:
Life is Strange<\/em> (Square Enix)
The Walking Dead<\/em> (Telltale Games)
As Dusk Falls<\/em> (Xbox Game Studios)
Baldur’s Gate 3<\/em> (Larian Studios) \u2014 although it’s an RPG, it has a deeply branching narrative.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Is it worth playing Detroit: Become Human today?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n\n

Absolutely! The game remains very current<\/em> in its graphics, narrative, and emotional impact. It’s an immersive experience full of decisions that significantly alter the characters’ fates.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Why are choice-based games in decline?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n\n

It’s not necessarily a decline, but a transition<\/em>. Many games in the genre have moved to episodic or subscription models (like Game Pass), reducing launch risk. The audience is also more diversified, with indie options gaining space.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Does Detroit: Become Human have multiple endings?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n\n

Yes! The game has hundreds of ending variations<\/em>, depending on the choices made throughout the story. This is one of the reasons for its high replayability.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n

What is the future of narrative games?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n\n

The trend is for narrative games to adapt to more accessible formats<\/em>, such as episodes, reduced prices, or inclusion in subscription services. Innovation in AI and interactive storytelling could also revitalize the genre.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n


<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Was Detroit: Become Human the last major success in its category? Find out why narrative games with deep choices are becoming increasingly rare.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":65992,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/i.ibb.co\/ZRMC3WbT\/Why-Detroit-Become-Human-Might-Be-the-Last-Big-Choice-Based-Game-of-Its-Generation.png","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-227","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-blog"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/i.ibb.co\/ZRMC3WbT\/Why-Detroit-Become-Human-Might-Be-the-Last-Big-Choice-Based-Game-of-Its-Generation.png","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/overcentral.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/227","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/overcentral.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/overcentral.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/overcentral.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/overcentral.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=227"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/overcentral.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/227\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/overcentral.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/65992"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/overcentral.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=227"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/overcentral.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=227"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/overcentral.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=227"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}