One of the most common questions developers ask before creating a trailer is:
how long should a game trailer be?

The short answer: as short as possible, but long enough to clearly show what your game is.
The longer answer depends on what type of trailer you’re making and where your game is in development. Below is a practical breakdown of ideal game trailer lengths — and why they work.

If you’re also wondering what makes a good game trailer, this guide breaks down the key elements that actually convert viewers into wishlists.

How Long Should a Game Trailer Be? (Short Answer)

Teaser Trailer (5–15 Seconds)

When to use: Very early development

A teaser trailer exists for one reason: curiosity.

At this stage, you may not have polished gameplay — and that’s okay. A teaser can:

• Show a character silhouette
• Reveal a setting or mood
• Hint at the genre
• End with a logo or title card

Shorter is better here. Anything over 15 seconds risks overstaying its welcome before viewers even know what the game is.

Announcement Trailer (30–45 Seconds)

When to use: Early development, first reveal

An announcement trailer reveals something important:

• The game’s name
• A core mechanic
• The main character
• The genre and tone

This is where clarity matters more than polish. Viewers should walk away knowing:

• What type of game it is
• Why it might be interesting to them

You can convey genre through:

• Music
• Lighting
• Environment
• Early gameplay snippets

If viewers are confused, the trailer is too long — or poorly focused.

Gameplay Trailer (45–90 Seconds)

Best length: 45–90 seconds
When to use: Mid-to-late development

Gameplay trailers are the most important trailers for wishlists and conversions.

This is where you:

• Show real gameplay
• Highlight core mechanics
• Make genre unmistakable
• Let players imagine themselves playing

These trailers can run longer because they earn the viewer’s attention — but only if they’re paced well.

Tips:

• Start with action
• Avoid long uncut clips
• Show UI if it’s essential to understanding gameplay
• Cut anything that doesn’t add value

If your gameplay trailer feels slow, it’s probably too long.

Release Trailer (30–60 Seconds)

Best length: 30–60 seconds
When to use: Near or at launch

Release trailers are your final pitch — and this is where many developers play it too safe.

Avoid the mistake of hiding your best content out of fear of spoilers. Instead:

• Show your strongest moments
• Tease late-game intensity
• End on a high-energy or emotional note

You can even briefly show late-game enemies or bosses without context — excitement matters more than mystery at this stage.

Do Longer Game Trailers Perform Better?

Usually, no.

The longer a trailer runs:

• The more chances viewers have to click away
• The more pacing mistakes become noticeable

Unless you’re deeply explaining systems or narrative (such as narrated overview trailers), staying under a minute is usually the safest choice.

A good example of a longer, system-focused approach is narration-heavy trailers like those associated with developers such as Puppet Combo — where tone and explanation are part of the appeal.

Key Takeaway: Shorter Is Almost Always Better

If you’re unsure which length to choose:

• Cut it down
• Remove repetition
• Trust the viewer’s intelligence

A fast-paced, clear trailer will almost always outperform a longer, unfocused one.

Usually you want to keep a trailer under a minute long unless you’re delving deep into story or game mechanics like this Puppet Combo narration trailer. The longer the trailer, the more time people have to become bored. Make it fast paced to keep audience attention. If you want a slow paced trailer, just make sure you don’t lose the viewer midway through.

---

Final Thoughts

There’s no single “perfect” length for every game trailer — but there are proven ranges that work. Choosing the right length based on your trailer type and development stage will dramatically improve retention, clarity, and wishlists.

And if editing, pacing, or structure feels overwhelming, that’s completely normal. Trailer editing is its own skill, and a strong edit can save you weeks of iteration.

If you’d like help refining or editing a game trailer, feel free to reach out for a free quote — or explore my previous work with indie developers.

---