What is a Cinematic Game? Are these art forms compatible? vs. Cinematic Game Does it mean: Lots of cut-scenes? Heavily scripted? Limited interaction? Linear narrative? Cinematic Game Does it mean: Glitzier award ceremonies? Hang out with celebrities? How about a better meaning for cinematic? Cinematic Game Design (Rouse & Stoltz at GDC 06) Slides available at: Another meaning: Story driven (pre-written) Player is part of something important Highly immersive Minimum of gamey elements High production values Story driven (pre-written) Metal Gear Solid 3 Player is part of something important Call of Duty 2 Highly immersive Half-Life 2 Minimum of gamey elements The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay High production values Resident Evil 4 I want to play a movie! A Jerry Bruckheimer Movie Does every game have to be the equivalent of a Bruckheimer production? - Warren Spector You guys do power fantasies so much better than we ever did! (paraphrased) - Scott McCloud A power fantasy where youre in control is fundamentally a much stronger power fantasy. Almost all games are power fantasies, of one type or another. Call of Duty 2 Grand Theft Auto III Civilization III Guitar Hero The Sims Tetris All storytelling games are power fantasies, of one type or another. Yet only a portion would work as movies. The Overlap Game Stories Movie Stories Game or Movie Stories Many movies wouldnt work as games. (Particularly ones that arent power fantasies.) Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind Titanic Three Colors: Red Citizen Kane The Overlap is Small Game Stories Movie Stories A supposition: All art is about eliciting emotional response from the audience. Games can evoke some emotions that no other art form can. (At least, not as well.) Tension Transgression Pride Nurturing Tension Doom Transgression Grand Theft Auto III Pride Civilization III Heavy Metal Transcendence Guitar Hero Nurturing The Sims The best games evoke emotions exclusive to games. One day soon, calling a game cinematic will be a backhanded compliment, like calling a movie stagy. - Jordan Mechner Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind Gilmore Girls The Bell Jar Jimmy Corrigan: The Smartest Kid on Earth The Sims The best storytelling fully embraces the nature of its medium. Slides available at: