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What is a “Cinematic” Game?. Are these art forms compatible?. vs. “Cinematic Game” Does it mean: Lots of cut-scenes? Heavily scripted? Limited interaction? Linear narrative?. “Cinematic Game” Does it mean: Glitzier award ceremonies? Hang out with celebrities?.
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“Cinematic Game” Does it mean: • Lots of cut-scenes? • Heavily scripted? • Limited interaction? • Linear narrative?
“Cinematic Game” Does it mean: • Glitzier award ceremonies? • Hang out with celebrities?
How about a better meaning for “cinematic?” Cinematic Game Design (Rouse & Stoltz at GDC ’06) Slides available at: http://www.paranoidproductions.com
Another meaning: • Story driven (pre-written) • Player is part of something important • Highly immersive • Minimum of gamey elements • High production values
Story driven (pre-written) Metal Gear Solid 3
Player is part of something important Call of Duty 2
Highly immersive Half-Life 2
Minimum of gamey elements The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay
High production values Resident Evil 4
I want to play a movie! A Jerry Bruckheimer Movie
“Does every game have to be the equivalent of a Bruckheimer production?” - Warren Spector
“You guys do power fantasies so much better than we ever did!” (paraphrased) - Scott McCloud
A power fantasy where you’re in control is fundamentally a much stronger power fantasy.
Almost all games are power fantasies, of one type or another.
All storytelling games are power fantasies, of one type or another.
The Overlap Movie Stories Game Stories Game or Movie Stories
Many movies wouldn’t work as games. (Particularly ones that aren’t power fantasies.)
Game Stories Movie Stories The Overlap is Small
A supposition: All art is about eliciting emotional response from the audience.
Games can evoke some emotions that no other art form can. (At least, not as well.) • Tension • Transgression • Pride • Nurturing
Tension Doom
Transgression Grand Theft Auto III
Pride Civilization III
Heavy Metal Transcendence Guitar Hero
Nurturing The Sims
“One day soon, calling a game ‘cinematic’ will be a backhanded compliment, like calling a movie ‘stagy.’” - Jordan Mechner
The best storytelling fully embraces the nature of its medium.
The best storytelling fully embraces the nature of its medium.