Cut scene

A cut scene or cutscene is a sequence in a video game over which the player has no control. Cut scenes are used to advance the plot, present character development, and provide background information, atmosphere, dialogue and clues. Cut scenes can either be animated or use live action footage.

Animated cut scenes

There are two primary techniques for animating cut scenes. In-game cut scenes are rendered on-the-fly using the same game engine as the graphics in the game proper. Pre-rendered cut scenes are animated and rendered by the game's developers, able to take advantage of the full array of techniques of CGI, cel animation or graphic novel-style panel art. The Final Fantasy series of video games, developed by Square, are noted for their pre-rendered cut scenes, which were first introduced in Final Fantasy VII.

Related Topics:
Render - Game engine - CGI - Cel animation - Graphic novel - Final Fantasy - Square - Final Fantasy VII

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Blizzard Entertainment is also a notable player in the field. The company has a department created especially for making cinema-quality pre-rendered cut scenes, for games such as Diablo II and Warcraft III.

Related Topics:
Blizzard Entertainment - Diablo II - Warcraft III

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Pre-rendered cut scenes are generally of higher visual quality than in-game cut scenes, but have two disadvantages: the difference in quality can sometimes create difficulties of recognizing the high-quality images from the cut scene when the player has been used to the lower-quality images from the game; also, the pre-rendered cut scene cannot adapt to the state of the game: for example, by showing different items of clothing worn by a character.

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In newer games, which can take advantage of sophisticated programming techniques and more powerful processors (such as the PlayStation 2's), in-game cut scenes are rendered on the fly and can be closely integrated with the gameplay. Scripted scenes are also used that provide the benefits of cut scenes without taking away the interactivity from the gameplay. Some games, for instance, give the player some control over camera movement during cut scenes, for example '.

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