Integrating Cinematics Into Gameplay

Integrating a cinematic into a game requires planning so that a cutscene does not seem out of place. Cinematics should complement the storytelling experience by creating a natural break in the game without feeling jarring to the player.

Poorly placed and shot cutscenes can hurt a game or feel useless to players. Before investing a lot of time creating cutscenes, be sure that a cinematic is the most effective way to communicate with players. Cutscenes should never interrupt a player in the middle of gameplay or break the flow of a game.

Plan cutscenes by considering what the audience needs to know, why they need this information and when. The following elements can help you think about the kinds of cutscenes you want in your game.

Onboarding

If your game mechanics are not easily understood, a cutscene showing players how to navigate and play your game can greatly help. Sometimes a Billboard device can provide instructions, but there are times where showing a player how to do something is more effective than reading about it.

Think about the best way to present onboarding information. Does the player need special equipment, do they need to start in a particular place to find health and weapons before leaving an area? Answer these types of questions alongside showing players how to traverse a level so they know everything they need to start playing.