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I was just thinking, what would be the ideal play-length of a CYS storygame for you? I've noticed that almost no matter the length of a story, there will always be people saying it is too short or too long. For instance, even on some 8/8 length stories I've seen people say 'it was too short' when it was anything but short, or that there was 'too much reading'. But if the length is less than about 5/8 people seem to say there's not enough content (which in many cases is probably true). 

Is there a way to please everyone, or is that just how it is, no matter what you write, there'll always be someone complaining? My theory is that, in the case of non-linear games, people only judge the game based on the exact course their playthrough of the game took, and they don't play it again afterwards. So if you had choices early on that could lead to an early End Game to get the player right into the action they are after, they'll be disappointed that so little happened. But if you set the game so they actually experience at least some of the story, they'll complain that they had to read so much and didn't get the fast 'wham bam thank you mam' they were after. 

Now I think I have a solution to this...

The Pleaser

This is the story-game that blends into whatever you want it to be. Just how far will you read for that small reward? Will your impulsive actions lead to an early demise? Will your adventure turn graphic or furry? Shall you be distracted by the first good ending you see, or will light have to break at the final stop?

Don't try to resist the Pleaser's imploring for recognition: the Pleaser is watching you, always watching...

Now with customised fight scenes and several random events that will require great wile to avoid.

 

There is never a way to please anyone for sure. Any media is subjective, but some people's opinions weigh heavier than others. As great as it would be to please everyone, you never can. The pursuit is futile and the effort is worthless. There is one ideal story length, and one only. That length is: As long as it takes to tell the fucking story. It will be judged, no matter what, and you will not, and cannot, stop what is coming.

"As long as it takes to tell the fucking story."

^ Couldn't have said it better myself.

Reminds me of the guy that told EndMaster that "Eternal" had too many words. Near instant gratification, mate.

Ideal story length for what purpose? To tell the story? To fill space? To get a high rating on CYS?

Oh, and no matter the answer to those questions, the answer is no, there is no ideal. Every person wants something different.

Just like the Sonic The Hedgehog series.

There are also probably people who simply play until they reach a game over, don't go back and explore all the other paths that are available, and leave with the impression that the game is very short when it's actually not. These are often the same people who complain that there's too much reading.

There's no way to please every possible kind of reader, so if you're worried about ratings, you could always just leave a restart link on the early game over dead ends and only give the option to 'End Game and Leave Comments' to the people who played through more of the game and found the endings further on.

I do like the idea of The Pleaser though, with multiple points you can choose to stop playing or keep going. It sounds like a whole lot of work, but then again, you've proven you can write at superhuman speeds, so go for it!

Better solution: Screw everyone who bitches about stupid things. The pleaser sounds like a cheap version of the french tickler, anyway.