| Wright said: Random question, guys. Could you define what a "cinematic game" is? Because I'm fairly sure there's no universal agreement on it. I'm saying it because if you say "games that emulate cinematography", the there's a bunch of universally-accepted cinematic games that aren't cinematic games, then. If you say "games with scripted sequences that makes it look like a movie", then a bunch of non-cinematic games would then fit into that category.
The problem here is that I think everyone here has a different opinion on a subject whose definition is user-sensitive. |
I would say a game that attempts to conform to the narrative structure, rules, and presentation of movies. This isn't necessarily a game with many cut-scenes. There's a chapter in Uncharted 4 with few cut-scenes, but the entire thing plays out like a scene from a movie. It is scripted in a way that tricks the player into thinking it's not.
And to be clear: this isn't about linearity. A game like Gradius is pretty darn linear but it's not cinematic in ambition. It's about we as players expected to hit our marks and trigger scripted events.
I've long thought that the beauty of video games is the conversation between the game designer and the player. The designer creates worlds and tools and environments, and gives them to the player. Then the player uses his imagination and reflexes (and those tools) to win the day. With cinematic, scripted games that conversation becomes a little one-sided.
