Why do developers insist on making cutscenes unskippable?

As soon as I see I can't skip the opening movie I check out what's on TV or go online. Maybe I'll come here to complain, like I'm doing right now instead of watching Mass Effect 2's slew of boring ass movies. This kind of developer mentality reminds me of that episode of South Park where everyone's in love with the smell of their own farts. Devs, your game will NEVER be as a good as a movie, please stop trying to cram your attempt at plot down my throat. Not letting me skip the movies - ESPECIALLY on a second playthrough - means your game is getting traded in. Next time, just let me play the damn game. Okay I think I'll go check if the movie's over now. In the meantime I'd like to hear some opinions.

I agree with you.. they have to make it optional like Castlevania: Lords of shadow cutscenes .

It's rather annoying. Although to be fair, sometimes, Cutscenes occur during points where the game must load. It's better to watch the clip than look at a loading bar, don't you think?

The reason why most cutscenes are unskippable is that either

A. The devs are so proud of the movie they want everyone to see it a million times, or

B. They are too lazy to program a skip button.

I think it's irritating, but many of the games I've played recently have the ability to skip cutscenes, so that'sa step in the right direction. One thing I'd also like to be skippable are the dumb "squad chats" where you have to wait for an NPC to allow you to proceed. Having to wait before an NPC recites his poorly written joke for the upteenth time when all you're trying to do is relive a memorable firefight is annoying.

Because you must marvel at my good/bad writing skillz.

Marvel away.

I understand that they put a lot of effort into their story and cutscenes...but nobody wants to watch a cutscene over and over when they die and have to try again. It can make an already frustrating experience even more frustrating. Amnesiac23

Certain games > a lot of movies. I agree with the rest though. First thing I thought of was Mass Effect 2 when I saw this thread.

Probably some dillusion about the story being important. If RPG's offered more story variety like Planescape: Torment did I could by into it. However, most RPG's boil down to "Save the day". You say can something similar about other genres.

Sadly, most of the time the story is an excuse for the action. Granted, some of those "save the day" games have had good stories (ex. Bioware, Obsidian). I just wishthere wasmore to do than be superman ever single time.With the skill some companies have shown creating the excuse for the action theycandevelopgood games around other kinds of stories.

The reason why most cutscenes are unskippable is that either

A. The devs are so proud of the movie they want everyone to see it a million times, or

B. They are too lazy to program a skip button.

I think it's irritating, but many of the games I've played recently have the ability to skip cutscenes, so that'sa step in the right direction. One thing I'd also like to be skippable are the dumb "squad chats" where you have to wait for an NPC to allow you to proceed. Having to wait before an NPC recites his poorly written joke for the upteenth time when all you're trying to do is relive a memorable firefight is annoying.

CD-i_ownz

Another reason could be that there a hidden loading. Or, it could be one of those cutscene that use in game model. Most of time I find that they are the unskippable one.

patience young jedi.. It's only a cut scene, not the end of the world!

It's very much like a movie - if the cutscenes are good, I'm happy to watch them. The first time. But if they're bad and obviously not doing anything to advance the plot (because there really isn't one) or develop the characters (because they're paper thin cliches), then I get bored pretty quick.

Should I pick up my controller now? Okay, how about now? Sigh...

I enjoy cutscenes. I mean we dont get many great game stories nowadays so anything related to a "story development" in any game is enjoyable to me.

Nowadays, more often than not an unskippable cutscene is used to mask a loading screen.

I can understand it when it's your first playthrough.

The game was supposed to have a story, so they want you to experience it.

If you want a story-less game, there are plenty of options available out there.

It's whe you fail a mission and have to watch the same movie over again that it get annoying.

Don't some games have load times in their cutscenes like GOW III so its impossible to skip because you can't skip load times. Its smart in a way

It's annoying especially after you've played through the game watching the cutscenes already.

The reason why most cutscenes are unskippable is that either

A. The devs are so proud of the movie they want everyone to see it a million times, or

B. They are too lazy to program a skip button.

I think it's irritating, but many of the games I've played recently have the ability to skip cutscenes, so that'sa step in the right direction. One thing I'd also like to be skippable are the dumb "squad chats" where you have to wait for an NPC to allow you to proceed. Having to wait before an NPC recites his poorly written joke for the upteenth time when all you're trying to do is relive a memorable firefight is annoying.

CD-i_ownz

why are cut scenes even in games. they should only be used when really nessescary.

i jut finished playing half life 2 for the first time and instead of cut scenes they just make everything happen on screen, big conversations and events etc. its so much more realistic and immersive, like when i was walking out of a tunnel then saw in the distance a whole army with massive robots walking across a bridge i nearly **** myself. so good

then i put in my red dead disc where cutscenes are everywhere. start a mission? 2 minute cut scene. killed the bad guy on the mission? another cutscreen. very annoying, just made me want to skip them.

cutscenes are meant for serious dramatic effect but theyre so overused in games now that theyve become redundant

The real question is why do developers insist on making cutscenes.

Wow, you are offended easily. It's to let you understand the story, and they really aren't that long...60 seconds at the most?

Have fun watching MTV for 1 minute, you silly impaitient man.