Cutscenes and Games - Game Developers Network

Narrative in trailers, cutscenes and cinematics (for the game music composer)

Game Developer

DECEMBER 16, 2022

Emphasizing narrative using game music - 4th in an article series on music for trailers, cutscenes, & cinematics, by composer Winifred Phillips.

Cutscenes

Cutscenes Cinematics Games

On the topic of cutscenes, do you think we will get to the point where fully pre-rendered cutscenes will be phased out entirely? Are there any other advantages to having a cutscene be pre-rendered rather than in engine besides the cutscene being “prettier” than the base graphics?

Ask a Game Dev

NOVEMBER 1, 2023

I don't think that we'll ever see pre-rendered cutscenes go away permanently. As in-engine rendering improves, AAA games will likely move away from pre-rendered cutscenes but AAA games are far from the only games that use cutscenes and have engines that can render high quality cinematic visuals (e.g.

Cutscenes

Cutscenes Render Cinematics AAA

Does it take much work/money to edit cutscenes once finished? Like, you develop a cutscene but then you decide to change details like background, music, clothes, facial expressions of the characters or even add to the scene a character who originally wasn’t supposed to be there. How often does this happen?

Ask a Game Dev

APRIL 12, 2024

Once upon a time, back when all cutscenes were pre-rendered FMV, it was tremendously expensive to make changes because making any small change required re-rendering the entire video which was enormously expensive. Today, for an in-game cinematic, a lot of the things are done in real time so we can swap things out as needed.

Cutscenes

Cutscenes Cinematics Asset Render

So how much $ (in general) does it cost to produce a fully animated/rigged, fully voiced 1-3 minute cutscene in a game that’s in ongoing development (something like SWTOR, where they have a lot of prebuilt assets)? Like just a general low range and high range? I’m seeing a lot of people complaining about prioritizing content they want, and don’t know enough about the behind the scenes costs to properly communicate they’re being unrealistic with their complaints.

Ask a Game Dev

FEBRUARY 19, 2024

The cost of any content in game dev is directly proportional to how much new stuff needs to be created for that content. that might need to be created for certain specific cutscenes. that might need to be created for certain specific cutscenes. that might need to be created for certain specific cutscenes.

Cutscenes

Cutscenes Rigging Cinematics Animation

Sent this ask a while ago but I think Tumblr ate it so here it is: In which stage of game development are relationships between characters decided? Asking this because I recently found an old Final Fantasy VII relationship chart and originally some characters were supposed to have completely different bonds compared to the ones they ended up having in the actual game. These seem to be quite important plot points, so I assume that final decisions should be made before creating cutscenes? Or you can change stuff later if devs come up with better ideas?

Ask a Game Dev

APRIL 8, 2024

The importance of the narrative depends primarily on how important the narrative is to the game. For a game like Overwatch, where the core gameplay is team pvp, the narrative is a lot less important and things like relationships are generally prioritized. If we can always make changes forever, we'll never ship the game.

Cutscenes

Cutscenes Dev Rigging Cinematics

Hello! I have a question about cutscenes. How does a decision get made about whether a cutscene can be skipped or not? I know some games have certain skipable cutscenes and others unskippable, and that in HD remakes of old games developers will sometimes add the ability to skip them. Do these decisions tend to be story-motivated or is there commonly a background mechanical reason to force a cutscene to play fully through?

Ask a Game Dev

APRIL 19, 2024

Cinematics are mostly for storytelling purposes, but they also hid a very real secondary purpose - we would do a lot of game setup during cinematics, like streaming data off of a physical disc while the cinematic is playing so that we can load what comes next.

Cinematics

Cinematics Cutscenes Dev Data

Hero's Story - Fallen Knight Update

Indie DB

DECEMBER 31, 2023

It includes new boss, in-game cutscenes and localization system. New update for Hero's Story has been released!

Cutscenes

Cutscenes Localization Games

Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons | Why I Love

GamesIndustry.biz

APRIL 2, 2024

Why I Love is a series of guest editorials on GamesIndustry.biz intended to showcase the ways in which game developers appreciate each other's work. This entry was contributed by Ember Trail's Cruz Segovia Ardiz, game director of the alien planet management game Distant Bloom , which launched on Steam last week. Read more

Cutscenes

Cutscenes Fighting Mechanics Console

Game storytelling and narrative design

Jaunty Bear Games

JANUARY 31, 2023

Game storytelling and narrative design involves creating a compelling and immersive narrative that enhances the player’s experience and engagement with the game. World-building: Creating a consistent and immersive game world that players can explore and interact with.

Cutscenes

Cutscenes Cinematics Writing Games

I feel like I or someone else asked you this, but do you think that gameplay will ever get to the point where it looks like the fancy prerendered cutscenes? Even the outstanding visuals we have now, don’t really look like say, Sonic Unleashed’s opening cinematic from….Christ, 2008 was really 15 years ago. Anyway, Is there a way to match that that look in style and fidelity or is it just kind of a “physics” thing where that’s basically not possible? What stops that if that’s the case.

Ask a Game Dev

OCTOBER 31, 2023

I don't believe that gameplay will ever look like fancy prerendered cutscenes because gameplay has certain needs that cutscenes do not, and cutscenes have certain needs that gameplay does not. When you're watching a cinematic in a game like Spider-Man, what are you seeing on screen? Here's what I mean.

Cinematics

Cinematics Cutscenes Dev Technology

Months Late Game Review, Part 2. Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Some Bad Things.

The Bottom Feeder

SEPTEMBER 7, 2023

In my last post about Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (Z:TotK for short), a very popular game, I suggested that people would be interested in thoughtful criticism of slightly older games, once the dust has settled and people had the chance to calmly reflect about them. Most people don't actually care about deep dives into game design.

Cutscenes

Cutscenes Terrain Games Puzzle

Want to make a great game trailer? Stop pretending it’s a movie trailer

PreMortem.Games

JUNE 29, 2023

Great game and great trailer ! Most games do not call for the flashy or stylistic trailer editing you see in a typical Hollywood movie trailer. This is because a game trailer often has to communicate more, or at the very least, different information than a movie trailer. Game trailer editor Derek Lieu made this.

Editing

Editing Communications Entertainment Games

Game-Changing Storytelling: How To Integrate Narrative Elements in Mobile Games

Game Refinery

NOVEMBER 30, 2023

Narrative design has always been an important part of video game development, but its significance in modern-day games continues to grow as narrative elements play an important role in player engagement and retention. Several exploration games also incorporate similar story designs. The core gameplay in Gossip Harbor.

Mobile Gaming

Mobile Gaming Mobile Mobile Games

How to Zoom Camera in Unity

Game Development for Beginners

JULY 3, 2023

Some games take the player experience to a different level using zoom effects. In first person shooter games, camera zoom is implemented for aiming and in some games, it’s used for cutscenes. If you are looking for a tutorial to create a similar effect, then you are in the right place. In this tutorial, we.

Cutscenes

Cutscenes First person Games

Understanding the Great Video Game Recession. Or Not.

The Bottom Feeder

MARCH 5, 2024

The video game industry is seeing a big wave of layoffs and game company closures, and it may be that we have begun the long, slow, agonizing bleed of a recession. But I have a whole lot of my own personal skin in this game, and I've been writing and speaking on this exact topic for a long time. Our next game!

Indy

Indy Writing Games Fighting

Designer Notes #69: Chris DeLay – Part 2

Designer Notes

AUGUST 15, 2022

In this episode, Soren and Leyla interview independent game developer Chris DeLay, co-founder of Introversion Software and best known for his work on Uplink , Darwinia , Defcon , and Prison Architect. This episode was recorded on March 24, 2022.

Cutscenes

Cutscenes Simulation Software Game Developer

Maximizing Acquisition and Retention Through Mobile Game Analytics

iXie gaming

MARCH 22, 2024

Mobile game developers face the daunting task of acquiring and retaining players in today’s fast-paced mobile gaming world. Well, there has been a significant increase in competition, providing players with more mobile gaming options than ever. Mobile game analytics solution has emerged as an indispensable ally in this pursuit.

Mobile Gaming

Mobile Gaming Mobile Mobile Mechanics

Maximizing Acquisition and Retention Through Mobile Game Analytics

iXie gaming

MARCH 22, 2024

Mobile game developers face the daunting task of acquiring and retaining players in today’s fast-paced mobile gaming world. Well, there has been a significant increase in competition, providing players with more mobile gaming options than ever. Mobile game analytics solution has emerged as an indispensable ally in this pursuit.

Mobile Gaming

Mobile Gaming Mobile Mobile Mechanics

F1 2017 Crashes On PC: Quick Fixes

Game Errors

APRIL 22, 2023

However, some worldwide players claimed to experience crashes on their PC while trying to run the game. Before checking and applying the leading solutions, it is better to ensure that your system meets at least the minimum requirements for running the game. Most of the time, gaming crashes are caused by outdated GPU drivers.

PC

PC Racing Cutscenes Point and Click

Hideo Kojima: Influential and Innovative Video Game Director and Writer

Game Designing

DECEMBER 1, 2022

In the world of video games, few people have played as large of a role in progressing video games as an art form as Hideo Kojima. For over three decades the Japanese game director has continued to release classic and critically acclaimed video games, most famously the Metal Gear series. Early Career. Independent Work.

Cutscenes

Cutscenes Film Cinematics Games

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth Review

Keith Burgun

APRIL 28, 2024

The charm of this game is off the charts and is the main thing that makes me love it. There’s just so many creative, brilliant, fun to look at, surprising situations – the dev team had a ton of fun making a lot of the game. The “story” in this game is really just… very awful, I’m sad to report.

Fantasy

Fantasy Cutscenes Writing Racing

FFX Remaster Green Screen: How to Fix It Quickly

Game Errors

FEBRUARY 2, 2023

FINAL FANTASY X/X-2 HD Remaster is released on Steam, and the game celebrates two of the most cherished and beloved entries to the world-renowned franchise, completely remastered in gorgeous High Definition. The game may have some bugs so the most common issue that players confirmed on forums is the Final Fantasy X green screen on Steam.

Fantasy

Fantasy Cutscenes Graphics PC

Deus Ex Mankind Divided Crashing: Fix It Quickly

Game Errors

FEBRUARY 13, 2023

Like most of the new big game releases these days, the PC port comes with a fair share of errors and bugs. People reported having a crash: on startup after first mission after shooting range not enough resources crash cutscene when customizing to desktop display driver crash Why does Deus Ex: Mankind keeps crashing? Restart the game.

Cutscenes

Cutscenes Graphics Bug FPS

Does cut content exist for video games? Not material devs save for later use in dlcs or expansions, but content that was created and for some reason didn’t make it to the final product. Idk like, a boss battle was way too long so a portion of gameplay was cut off or some footage devs felt like removing from certain cutscenes.

Ask a Game Dev

APRIL 4, 2024

On the latest shipped game that I worked on, I was hired for and spent months working on a significant game mode that was eventually cut. Our game mode was playable with a full game loop but the higher-ups decided it wasn't shaping up to be what they wanted for the overall game.

Content

Content Dev Asset Cutscenes

Movie Maker mode arrives in Godot 4.0

Mircosoft Game Dev

NOVEMBER 14, 2022

The idea of using a game engine for projects other than creating video games is not new. For decades, game engines have been used to create applications, simulations and more. These use cases include architecture visualization, cinema, animation and cutscene rendering. What is Movie Maker mode for? Example output.

Cutscenes

Cutscenes Render Animation Animation

Movie Maker mode arrives in Godot 4.0

Mircosoft Game Dev

NOVEMBER 14, 2022

The idea of using a game engine for projects other than creating video games is not new. For decades, game engines have been used to create applications, simulations and more. These use cases include architecture visualization, cinema, animation and cutscene rendering. What is Movie Maker mode for? Example output.

Cutscenes

Cutscenes Render Animation Animation

FIFA 23 Low FPS: Rapidly Fix Performance Issues

Game Errors

MARCH 27, 2023

FIFA 23 is a one-of-a-kind football video game developed by EA Sports, but it can generate several annoying issues, such as low FPS while playing. Moreover, online multiplayer co-op simulator games can also experience problems related to network or server connectivity, leading to various troubles. How do I fix my FPS on FIFA 23?

FPS

FPS Cutscenes Co-op PC

Would “Sword Art Online” Be a Bad VR Game?

Rampant Games

NOVEMBER 7, 2022

In the fiction, November 6, 2022 was the launch day for the game “ Sword Art Online ,” chronicled in the books, manga, and anime series of that name. Thanks to a crazy head engineer with a god complex, ten thousand players are now playing an ultra-realistic fantasy game in a virtual world with real-world stakes.

Art

Art Games Fighting Technology

A day in the life of a narrative designer

Game Global

JULY 12, 2021

When you imagine doing this job, is it mostly about crafting amazing cutscenes? Do you want to make people laugh at the silly things the game’s troops say if you click on them enough times? If so, you probably want to be a game writer. And that’s valid! We need to understand, at least at a high level, all of its features.

Cutscenes

Cutscenes Writing Scripting Localization

Submissions open for Godot 2020 showreel

Mircosoft Game Dev

FEBRUARY 6, 2020

Does your Godot-made game or tool (published or work in progress) fill you with joy? Can show gameplay, cutscenes, menus, etc., If published, give us a link to where the game can be bought/downloaded, so we can include it in the description. If your game is pixel perfect, then send the video at native resolution.

Cutscenes

Cutscenes Clipping Pixel Console

Friday the 13th Database Login Failure: How To Fix

Game Errors

MAY 9, 2023

Friday the 13th: The Game is one of the most anticipated horror titles of this year, maybe of all time. Some players are receiving the following error “Database Login Failure, Verify Internet Connectivity” Apparently, this is another server issue and because of that, you are unable to log in to the game.

Internet

Internet Console Cutscenes PC

Witcher 3 Stuck On Loading Screen: How To Fix It in No Time

Game Errors

AUGUST 25, 2023

In discussions on platforms such as Reddit, GameFAQs, and Twitter, many players have expressed their frustration at not being able to skip the intro cutscene the first time around. Overlay apps are causing issues with gaming performance or even launching issues. Reboot your PC and try launching the game again.

PC

PC Cutscenes Clipping Platformer

Destiny 2 Preservation Mission Not Showing Up: How to Fix

Game Errors

APRIL 19, 2023

Although you are a fan of the FPS genre and SF themes, the game’s concept may turn you off even though you want to enjoy it. For this to happen, check your game version, task log (make sure you’ve finished all the needed tasks.), Check your game version Time needed: 1 minute.

Cutscenes

Cutscenes PC FPS Concepts

Grim Fandango Remastered on Steam Errors: Fix Them Now

Game Errors

JULY 21, 2023

Even if this is an awesome game, Grim Fandango Remastered isn’t perfect for Steam players. Before getting into the main solutions for today, we suggest checking first if your system meets at least the minimum requirements to run the game: Minimum requirements: OS: Windows Vista or Later Processor: Intel® Core 2 Duo 2.4 Have no fear!

FPS

FPS Cutscenes Graphics Software

Indie game capsule reviews: Immortality, Wayward Strand, Cult of the Lamb, Betrayal at Club Low, Atuel

Radiator Blog

OCTOBER 13, 2022

SPOILER WARNING: I keep specific story spoilers vague, but I do have to talk about what happens in the games somehow. Still, you can argue that it's a stunning achievement just to be able to debate these questions in a video game. Can't wait for the full frontal in the next game!) Well, I don't know anything about that.

Indy

Indy Film Games Puzzle

Diablo 4 High GPU Usage: Most Effective Ways to Fix It

Game Errors

JUNE 10, 2023

It’s even occurring on high-end gaming PCs. Diablo 4 is a new game. If you encounter this problem, it usually occurs due to the following reason: Bugs: For any new game, optimization is a big problem. Problematic game components: Problems with the related game components and files also can increase GPU usage on Diablo 4.

FPS

FPS PC Graphics Cutscenes

Can We Even Put Human Stories in Video Games Anyway?

The Bottom Feeder

DECEMBER 13, 2021

A really good, polished game that tries something different? My family just finished playing the hit co-op game It Takes Two. I played it with my wife, and our teenager who was on hand to help us out when the game got too hard. It's a very fun game with very unusual writing, and it's extremely and deservedly popular.

Art

Art Point and Click Games Writing

Ask a Game Dev - Untitled Article

Ask a Game Dev

MARCH 7, 2023

Games have undergone a similar sense of discovery and pioneering since the days of Pong, with a similarly evolved mantra. Perhaps the most important thing you can learn about designing games is the natural evolution of “show, don’t tell” - “Do, don’t show.” The best games never forget this.

Cutscenes

Cutscenes Fighting Entertainment Writing

Support us on Kickstarter!

Mircosoft Game Dev

OCTOBER 19, 2014

As you know, Okam Studio, the company that develops Godot Engine, also makes games. One of our oldest projects is The Interactive Adventures of Dog Mendonça & Pizza Boy , a 2D point & click graphic adventure that we’ve been developing in-house as a side-project, and we’ve launched a Kickstarter to raise the funds to finish it.

Point and Click

Point and Click Cutscenes Graphics Scripting

Forspoken Crashing on PC & PS5: How to Fix It Quickly

Game Errors

JANUARY 26, 2023

The highly anticipated game, Forspoken has finally been released to the public on the 24th of January 2023 on PC and PlayStation 5. Many are annoyed and disappointed as the game is unplayable in its current state. To fix Forspoken crashing, as a preliminary check, restart your game. Why is Forspoken crashing?

PC

PC Cutscenes Software Graphics

Open world RPG design notes from Enderal, a big long Skyrim mod

Radiator Blog

MAY 5, 2021

and my notes are obviously going to spoil some of the game's structure, but all these spoilers are pretty vague and anyway I don't name any names. This is a business model I've always wondered about -- make a big complicated game, but then earn revenue from selling ads on the wiki for your own game? Anyway, here's my notes.

Open World

Open World NPC Cutscenes Terrain

Squad 51 vs. the Flying Saucers is a tribute to sci-fi movies of the ’50s

PreMortem.Games

APRIL 3, 2023

It was back in 2016 when Márcio Rosa had an idea for a game. It was going to be a SHMUP game in which Earth had to defend itself against an aggressive alien invasion. Rosa needed something to set the game apart from all the others. The sound studio worked in the cutscenes and game as a single unit. “The

Cutscenes

Cutscenes Film Studios Asset

new Quake map: The Close And Holy Darkness

Radiator Blog

APRIL 1, 2022

Within broader game design culture, the theme also invokes an awkward aspect of cultural appropriation and reduction. Instead I'm making a small level for a 25 year old game that no one plays. The textures are fine! If I were making a big project with funding, I'd seek out experts and collaborators to do these cultures justice.

Texture

Texture Fighting Cutscenes Scripting

Darner's Digest, vol. 3: on the Yarn Spinner v2.0 release + a YS primer

Radiator Blog

JANUARY 16, 2022

related: Yarn "language" spec , a programming specification / standard for how Yarn should operate in any game engine Yarn Spinner Unity plugs the core into Unity and adds a convenient wrapper. You will need to mod this and personalize it for your unique game project. None of it is Unity specific. Alice: No comment.

Scripting

Scripting Code Localization Engine

Narrative in trailers, cutscenes and cinematics (for the game music composer)

On the topic of cutscenes, do you think we will get to the point where fully pre-rendered cutscenes will be phased out entirely? Are there any other advantages to having a cutscene be pre-rendered rather than in engine besides the cutscene being “prettier” than the base graphics?

Trending Sources

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Understanding the Great Video Game Recession. Or Not.

Designer Notes #69: Chris DeLay – Part 2

Maximizing Acquisition and Retention Through Mobile Game Analytics

Maximizing Acquisition and Retention Through Mobile Game Analytics

F1 2017 Crashes On PC: Quick Fixes

Hideo Kojima: Influential and Innovative Video Game Director and Writer

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth Review

FFX Remaster Green Screen: How to Fix It Quickly

Deus Ex Mankind Divided Crashing: Fix It Quickly

Movie Maker mode arrives in Godot 4.0

Movie Maker mode arrives in Godot 4.0

FIFA 23 Low FPS: Rapidly Fix Performance Issues

Would “Sword Art Online” Be a Bad VR Game?

A day in the life of a narrative designer

Submissions open for Godot 2020 showreel

Friday the 13th Database Login Failure: How To Fix

Witcher 3 Stuck On Loading Screen: How To Fix It in No Time

Destiny 2 Preservation Mission Not Showing Up: How to Fix

Grim Fandango Remastered on Steam Errors: Fix Them Now

Indie game capsule reviews: Immortality, Wayward Strand, Cult of the Lamb, Betrayal at Club Low, Atuel

Diablo 4 High GPU Usage: Most Effective Ways to Fix It

Can We Even Put Human Stories in Video Games Anyway?

Ask a Game Dev - Untitled Article

Support us on Kickstarter!

Forspoken Crashing on PC & PS5: How to Fix It Quickly

Open world RPG design notes from Enderal, a big long Skyrim mod

Squad 51 vs. the Flying Saucers is a tribute to sci-fi movies of the ’50s

new Quake map: The Close And Holy Darkness

Darner's Digest, vol. 3: on the Yarn Spinner v2.0 release + a YS primer

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