This talking point needs to die.
Open world games have been the most successful SP games over the last 10+ years. "Semi open world, 15 to 20h tops" flop on such a consistent basis.
Driving in that direction would lead to the SP industry going bankrupt.
Hmm, The Last of Us was such a game and it didn't flop.
Uncharted was such a game and it didn't flop.
Hell, I think Tomb Raider was similar game.
It depends on a game. I pointed out immersive sims are niche.
Doesn't change a fact it's sometimes a chore playing generic formula open world game, bloated to the infinity with XP grinding to unlock skills, clearing "?" on a map, doing basic fetch quests, and doing 180h a game.
And we need more well... Diverse games *laugs* From 15 to 20h games, to huge RPG games 180 to 200h.
That's mainly my point. I don't think industry should abandon open world games, I just feel like it's got stale, and lately there is only push for long games or bloat.
If you think it is sustainable to only go into direction of open world games with long playtime and bigger and bigger budgets. Okay, won't argue. Good for the industry, I guess.