AAA, Cinematics and Cutscenes - Game Developers Network

On the topic of cutscenes, do you think we will get to the point where fully pre-rendered cutscenes will be phased out entirely? Are there any other advantages to having a cutscene be pre-rendered rather than in engine besides the cutscene being “prettier” than the base graphics?

Ask a Game Dev

NOVEMBER 1, 2023

I don't think that we'll ever see pre-rendered cutscenes go away permanently. As in-engine rendering improves, AAA games will likely move away from pre-rendered cutscenes but AAA games are far from the only games that use cutscenes and have engines that can render high quality cinematic visuals (e.g.

Cutscenes

Cutscenes Render Cinematics Engine

Hideo Kojima: Influential and Innovative Video Game Director and Writer

Game Designing

DECEMBER 1, 2022

Combined with his love for film, this leads to deep story-driven games with lengthy and cinematic cutscenes (Metal Gear Solid 4 once held the world record for the longest cutscene in any game). His games’ cinematic qualities and high technical standards also laid the early groundwork for our modern big-budget AAA games.

Cutscenes

Cutscenes Film Cinematics Games

On the topic of cutscenes, do you think we will get to the point where fully pre-rendered cutscenes will be phased out entirely? Are there any other advantages to having a cutscene be pre-rendered rather than in engine besides the cutscene being “prettier” than the base graphics?

Hideo Kojima: Influential and Innovative Video Game Director and Writer

Stay Connected