Cut scenes used to be separate videos, but these days they are mostly just rendered in realtime with the game engine. There isn't any particular reason to not put a high quality movie on the disk (apart possibly from the size), but the modern theory is that having a consistent look is important for immersion, so the game engine graphics are preferred.

As to whether cut scenes as a thing are dying: we are in the age of "not restricted by technology", so it's kind of up to the game designers if they want to include them.

I don't mind games having CGI/pre-rendered cut-scenes, but I always prefer when they're well done using the engine, and even moreso when they're running in real-time. Shows the strength of the engine and artistic prowess of the team making them.

Not CGI but I remember being in absolute awe when games like Ninja Gaiden and Golgo 13 would give you a lengthy cutscene. My friends would be like "Skip it" but for me, it was just amazing to see a video game presented in such a way. Like BraLoD said, it was a reward.

Since then, I've always leaned towards more cinematic games. I do prefer "in engine" stuff these days so I don't mind if CGI goes extinct. It used to be amazing but now it just looks out of place.

[runs to backlog to check for a copy of Injustice 2...]

[smiles, yes Legendary Edition from holiday 2018 sale!!]

You made my day!!

This is actually a good thing!

i hate them... because it filled my memory cards for having multiple saves... close to my fave cutscenes LOL

Very goood stuff, I do remember being excited that I reached a cutscene and could save the game and give myself a pat on the back for reaching that checkpoint. And delighting myself with the CGI, that was when I started loving narrative heavy games.

CGI-Quality said: In all seriousness, CGI isn't going anywhere. If it were, you'd be getting NO video games.

Well I put cutscenes =´p

I don't want CGI to die.

When you say it is better to not have pre-rendered are you talking on technical side, quality side or on what I expect to be the answer it is less costly in both money and people to do it in engine so you don't create different assets (besides memory consumption).

I guess we can make an exception if it's of a certain "Quality"! 

i hope so. i much prefer storytelling done from within the game through the gameplay itself. and i don’t mean those moments when they slow down your character and make you walk during dialogue.

at the same time though, i loved mgs4. so what do i know...