Postproduction in Game Cinematics

Chris North

Abstract

In order to help convey narrative or plot elements within a game, designers will often use the tried and tested methods of cinema, the visual lan- guage of which is familiar to most gamers. The challenge is to ensure that the cinematic feels connected to the game world environment and supports the overall story. This does not necessarily mean it must match aesthetically with the game itself, but simply that it should feel integrated into the overall designBy virtue of their linear nature, cinematics necessarily interrupt game play. This is opposed to narration, verbal character exposition, or other storytelling devices which exist as part of the game world. Nevertheless, cinematics can play an important role in scene setting by explaining key concepts of the game (tutorials, character history, scene setting, clues, etc.) in an easily digestible and engaging manner. Sometimes a “hybrid” of game and cinematic sequence is created where a limited amount of user interaction is still permitted or segues are created to smooth the transition.