IMO cut-scenes are only really necessary when the game needs a quick strong dialogue sessions and the game so far does not include a robust dialogue system.
Poll: Are cutscenes still necessary?
- Thread starter michael87cn
- Start date
It depends on the game, some game it's dull without one (The Conduit) and vice vesa on another game.
Some cut-scenes that give a sort of playing them as they happen feel to it like dead space 2 for example, rather than sat there starring at how awesomely your character did it 
I personally said no, and anyone else who's played Amnesia: The Dark Descent will likely understand. Having a gameplay experience that's entirely in my hands is incredibly appealing to me. I haven't experienced any other games that hybridize cutscenes and player control, but it sounds like it would be great, like watching some jerk yap at you while you wander around waiting to kill him, or just killing him and cutting off his monologue, and having that freedom. I think freedom is always good in a game.
but there are definitely games that should be cinematic, with visuals that couldn't be adequately conveyed from a first person perspective.
That's just my 2 cents.
but there are definitely games that should be cinematic, with visuals that couldn't be adequately conveyed from a first person perspective.
That's just my 2 cents.
this is exactly what i was going to say (except i'm not a 5'8 girl)Whargarble said:
OT: no offense but i full fledge like cutscenes in games, i have yet to find a game outside of MGS that needs less cutscenes, if not more.
of course, it all depends on the game. for half life, a major element is to never break the player-character immersion, so it all takes place in gameplay. in an rpg? that would never work for anything plot-focused.
personally i see potential in the whole 'interactive cutscene' thing as long as it flows with the game and doesnt just pop out of nowhere (like recent CoD games have tacked on...). take the god of war series; before most bossfights involved wittling down their health then watching a cutscene where you defeat them. god of war mashed the whole thing together and had boss fights mostly play out like cutscenes with QTEs. now this of course can hardly replace traditional cutscenes, but its a step in the right direction, and if done well can really reduce the chance of players noticing when their character has picked up the idiot ball for the sake of the plot. or greatly increase it; as always depends on the game and how its done.
personally i see potential in the whole 'interactive cutscene' thing as long as it flows with the game and doesnt just pop out of nowhere (like recent CoD games have tacked on...). take the god of war series; before most bossfights involved wittling down their health then watching a cutscene where you defeat them. god of war mashed the whole thing together and had boss fights mostly play out like cutscenes with QTEs. now this of course can hardly replace traditional cutscenes, but its a step in the right direction, and if done well can really reduce the chance of players noticing when their character has picked up the idiot ball for the sake of the plot. or greatly increase it; as always depends on the game and how its done.
I like cut scenes. They give me a break from all the action and help develop the characters. (Well most of the time they do.)
Of course if done right, it could be possible that a game can do a good job at storytelling without the need for cut scenes.
Of course if done right, it could be possible that a game can do a good job at storytelling without the need for cut scenes.
cutsenes are great but they need to be short to deliver key information in a fassion so as it is difficult to ignore make them short so we can continue playing and dont have long drawn out conversations most of the information should be given to the the player through SPEECH not text as they play in somewhat of a subtle form, if you are unsure of what i mean just look at bioshock 1 as an example it had the best formula yet
I prefer cutscenes over what games like Half Life 2 and Fallout 3 do, IE have something play out that resembles a cutscene, but I'm still in full control of my character.
I always end up getting bored just watching the characters deliver exposition, so I tend to wander around while still listening to them. Then I end up missing all the important action bits because I was so enamored with a nearby potted plant that I missed some character getting zapped or kidnapped or something.
Although that doesn't happen all the time, and when the scene can keep my attention it usually does so quite well.
I always end up getting bored just watching the characters deliver exposition, so I tend to wander around while still listening to them. Then I end up missing all the important action bits because I was so enamored with a nearby potted plant that I missed some character getting zapped or kidnapped or something.
Although that doesn't happen all the time, and when the scene can keep my attention it usually does so quite well.
