Comments on: Comparing forms of entertainment http://www.gamecrafters.net/archives/164 Brian Engard, freelance game writer and enthusiast. Thu, 21 Aug 2008 22:43:40 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: Brian http://www.gamecrafters.net/archives/164#comment-6401 Brian Tue, 17 Oct 2006 00:45:03 +0000 http://www.gamecrafters.net/archives/164#comment-6401 Yeah, and I agree with that. But that's not what I got out of your post. Your post seemed to say, "All cutscenes are bad, and video games should be more like role-playing games," which is kind of a nonsensical statement. I do share your dislike (to a point) of cutscenes that force your hand, or that drive the story forward despite player input (as opposed to having the illusion of being because of player input, or being entirely detached from player input like those in KotOR). And for the record, I haven't played <i>Dead Rising</i>, and I probably won't (though not because of the cutscene issue, because it really doesn't bug me as much as it seems to bug you). And an unrelated aside: <i>Irone Heroes</i> is awesome. I'm going to use it in an upcoming <i>Eberron</i> campaign. Ok, fanboy moment over. Yeah, and I agree with that. But that’s not what I got out of your post. Your post seemed to say, “All cutscenes are bad, and video games should be more like role-playing games,” which is kind of a nonsensical statement. I do share your dislike (to a point) of cutscenes that force your hand, or that drive the story forward despite player input (as opposed to having the illusion of being because of player input, or being entirely detached from player input like those in KotOR). And for the record, I haven’t played Dead Rising, and I probably won’t (though not because of the cutscene issue, because it really doesn’t bug me as much as it seems to bug you).

And an unrelated aside: Irone Heroes is awesome. I’m going to use it in an upcoming Eberron campaign. Ok, fanboy moment over.

]]> By: Mike Mearls http://www.gamecrafters.net/archives/164#comment-6400 Mike Mearls Mon, 16 Oct 2006 23:49:44 +0000 http://www.gamecrafters.net/archives/164#comment-6400 Ah, but there have been videogames that have done a good job with cutscenes. For instance, the cutscenes in Knights of the Old Republic added to the story. They helped things make sense. Same for Halo I and II. In contrast, Dead Rising uses cutscenes to arbitrarily force you down specific paths. Good cutscenes explain "This is why this level is important." Bad ones say, "This is why you have to play this level." It's all about buy in. Ah, but there have been videogames that have done a good job with cutscenes. For instance, the cutscenes in Knights of the Old Republic added to the story. They helped things make sense. Same for Halo I and II.

In contrast, Dead Rising uses cutscenes to arbitrarily force you down specific paths. Good cutscenes explain “This is why this level is important.”

Bad ones say, “This is why you have to play this level.”

It’s all about buy in.

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