Cinematic Game Design Presentatin

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(No Transcript)
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Introduction

• Richard Rouse III
• Director of Game Design, Midway
• Games
• The Suffering
• The Suffering Ties That Bind
• Drakan The Ancients Gates
• Centipede 3D
• Damage Incorporated
• Odyssey
• Book
• Game Design Theory Practice

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Introduction - What are Cinematic Games?

• Two different mediums
• Cinema A linear medium, often dedicated to
  storytelling, author driven
• Digital Games An interactive/participatory
  medium, often focusing on a series of player
  challenges, author and player driven

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Introduction - What are Cinematic Games?

• Games have been copying other art forms all along

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Introduction - Sources of Inspiration

• Inspiration from Sports Pong (1972)

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Introduction - Sources of Inspiration

• Inspiration from Literature Colossal Cave
  Adventure (1976)

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Introduction - Sources of Inspiration

• Inspiration from Cinema Pac Man (1982)

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Introduction - Sources of Inspiration

• Games arent the first new medium to steal from
  more established forms

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Introduction - Sources of Inspiration

• Inspiration from the theater The Kiss (1896)

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Introduction - Evolution of a Medium

• Too much copying is a bad thing
• Cinema moved away from filmed plays
• Interactive Movies failed miserably
• Didnt understand fundamental nature of games -
  interactivity

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Introduction - Evolution of a Medium

• An Interactive Movie - Dragons Lair (1983)

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Introduction - Evolution of a Medium

• "One day soon, calling a game cinematic will be
  a backhanded compliment, like calling a movie
  stagy."
• Prince of Persia creator Jordan Mechner

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Introduction Cinematic Games

• For an art-form to thrive, it must change and
  evolve
• To support the large teams associated with modern
  games, games must appeal to a wider audience
• Pulling inspiration from other mediums is not
  inherently a bad idea

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Introduction Cinematic Games

• What do people mean by Cinematic Games?
• It varies widely
• Better/more cut-scenes
• Better story/dialog
• High-drama moments
• More custom-scripted
• High production values
• A highly immersive experience
• Fewer Gamey elements

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Introduction Cinematic Games

• Heavily loaded term
• Avoid Hollywood Envy
• Dont want
• Interactive movies
• Uninteractive games

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Introduction Cinematic Games

• A new definition of Cinematic Game Design
• Draw from cinemas 100-year-old library of
  techniques
• Integrate these devices into actual gameplay
• Not just copying, expands our medium

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Cinematic Technique 1 Rim Lighting

• Used to pop a character from the background
  environment
• Can also be used for specific emotional effect
• Example from
• Bride of Frankenstein

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Rim Lighting Gameplay Application

• Useful in third-person games where the avatar
  should not disappear in a dark environment
• Slightly unrealistic, but thats OK
• Sometimes referred to as Edge Lighting
• Example from
• The Suffering

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Cinematic Technique 2 Camera Following a
Character

• When tracking a character, principles of
  photography apply to the cinema
• Obey the rule of thirds
• Avoid computer camera moves
• Example from
• Goodfellas

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Camera Following Gameplay Application

• With a third-person game, always keep the
  character framed appropriately
• Avoiding fading out/making the avatar disappear
• Balance player control with good shot composition
• Example from
• Max Payne 2

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Cinematic Technique 3 Slow Motion

• Many films have used slow motion to emphasize the
  beauty/brutality of a scene
• Can also be used to slow/quicken an event where
  the audience wont notice
• Simulates real-life dramatic events seeming slow
• Example from
• Aliens

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Slow Motion Gameplay Application

• Lots of games have stylishly used slow motion as
  a game mechanic or an FX component
• Slow motion can also be a tool for storytelling
• Could also be used more subtly
• Example from
• FEAR

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Cinematic Technique 4 Subjective P.O.V.

• Often multiple non-realistic effects can be
  combined to make the audience see a scene from a
  particular characters POV
• Effects include FOV adjustment, slow motion,
  exaggerated lighting, screen filters, audio mix
• Example from
• Raging Bull

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Subjective P.O.V. Gameplay Application

• Used for literal sensory changes
• Drunk (GTA)
• Drugged/Stoned (Rise of the Triad/Narc)
• Dream Sequences (Max Payne)
• Shell Shocked (Call of Duty)
• Could be used more subtly to indicate emotional
  state of the main character

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Cinematic Technique 5 Parallel Editing

• Inter-cuts two scenes that are happening at the
  same time
• Great way to build suspense
• Example from
• The Silence of the Lambs

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Parallel Editing Gameplay Application

• Underused technique in games
• Not the same as plot-driven cut-aways
• Perfect for breaking up long navigational
  sections, if kept short quick
• Has to be done carefully to not frustrate or
  confuse the player
• Example from
• Karateka

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Cinematic Technique 6 Split Screen

• Similar to parallel editing, but different pacing
• Can be used for suspense or emotional
  juxtaposition
• Example from
• Kill Bill

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Split Screen Gameplay Application

• Also underused in games
• Excellent for in-game storytelling
• Do not force the player to intently watch
  multiple views simultaneously
• Example from
• Indigo Prophecy

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Cinematic Technique 7 Building Tension

• Keep the pace changing but maintain a general
  direction
• Dont be afraid to slow things down in an action
  sequence
• Use audio to keep the audience on edge
• Example from
• Alien

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Building Tension Gameplay Application

• Design game mechanics in ways that will give the
  player some information, but not all of it
• Motion sensor in Marathon and AvP
• Radio static in Silent Hill 2
• Audio design in System Shock games
• Interactive music perfect for building tension in
  gameplay

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Cinematic Technique 8 (Mis)Leading the
Audience

• If audience figures out the story bored
• If audience cant figure anything out confused
• (Both are bad.)
• Hitchcock said audience likes to be one step
  ahead of the story
• Mislead audience away from what will actually
  happen
• Example from
• A Clockwork Orange

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(Mis)Leading the Audience Gameplay Application

• Games have repetitive mechanics
• Players expect them to work consistently
• Thus players are susceptible to being misled
• Be clever/devious in how you mislead, but dont
  go for cheap shots
• Example from
• The Suffering

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Cinematic Game Design Eight Techniques

• Rim Lighting
• Camera Following Character
• Slow Motion
• Subjective P.O.V.
• Parallel Editing
• Split Screen
• Building Tension
• (Mis)Leading the Audience

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Questions?

• Special Thanks to Marty Stoltz, Studio Cinematics
  Director, Midway Chicago
• Contact
• Richard rr3_at_paranoidproductions.com
• Final slides available at
• http//www.paranoidproductions.com/writings.html