Is the "cinematic" approach Sony is taking good for the industry?

I've been noticing for quite some time now that Sony's eager to make blockbuster-like games that not only resemble movies in appearance but also gameplay.

For example Heavy Rain is basically an interactive movie.

That may not be bad in itself but it does raise questions if that's really the direction games should be taking.

And Beyond Two Souls is another Sony game in that vein.

Even games like MGS 4, Uncharted and God of War had a big emphasis on cinematic presentation with a lot of QTEs, cut-scenes and the like.

Is this really the direction we want games to go?

Discuss. :P

Nope!I like non-cinematic games mostly.

Yes , it is good for the industry.

But they make and support all types of games. I noticed you convientently left out games likeLittleBigPlanet 2 , Demons Souls , Motorstorm Pacific Rift , Super StarDust , MAG , inFAMOUS 2 , Warhawk ,ModNation Racers , Patapon , Twisted Metal , Sound Shapes ,StarHawk , Sly Cooper , All-Stars , LBP Karting , and the list goes ON and ON and ON and ON. Games like God of War and Uncharted just happen to be the total packages beyond just great gameplay. Those particular studios have the money , talent , and resources to do more than just the status quo and they deliver. I'm sorry that the 360 and Wii don't have as many megatons like that , but that's just the way it is. This is what helps seperates Sony from the pack.

MGS4 is a megaton game and arguably still one of the best of the generation , and it would be regardless of exclusivity to PS3. And Quantic Dream's games are something different form the norm and very welcome. I liked both Indigo Prophecy (until the end , lol) and Heavy Rain , and I'm interested in Beyond Two Souls.

Let me correct your title... "Is the "cinematic" approach, EVERY DARN MEGA-PUBLISHER is taking good for the industry? :)ShadowDeathX

I was thinking the same. I've never seen this many 'cinematic' games as we saw at E3 this year

MGS4 is a megaton game and arguably still one of the best of the generation

Nike_Air

It may be but you have to admit that the long cut-scenes are quite boring (unless you are really that into Kojima's visions) ;)

Depends on what you like obv, personally I think it's awesome :D. You call Heavy Rain "basically an interactive movie". Note that the word "interactive" makes all the difference in the world. It's a very different experience from an actual movie and imo in a meaningful way. I'd love to experience more 'games' made in this in othe, less action oriented, movie genres. The term "video game" is dumb as it excludes experiences like these. I prefer interactive entertainment (or something similar).

I love movies and I love "pure games". I don't see why any experience in between should be ignored.

you know Quantic Dreami (developer of beyond souls)s a third party developer right? and you know they like making games that have this cinematic style to it right? Go play indigio prophecy a game on the ps2, xbox, pc. The way they make games has nothing to do with Sony but then again your ignorant on the matter. Also the only game with the cinematic approach from sony is uncharted, 1 game franchise. WOWZER. Also if you think god of war is nothing but quick time events you haven't played it, people like b*tching about quick time events but guess what its a game mechanic.

It is fine for the industry. More ways to play, the better. Too bad the industry is a copy cat industry.

It has nothing to do with the type of game. If another type of game was the type that seemed most promising, it would be being copied as we speak.

Its better thent the cheap and easy approach MS and Nintendo are mostly taking.

sony? are you a fanboy? every single developer/publisher is doing it, and no, is not good.

[QUOTE="Nike_Air"]

MGS4 is a megaton game and arguably still one of the best of the generation

nameless12345

It may be but you have to admit that the long cut-scenes are quite boring (unless you are really that into Kojima's visions) ;)

the cutscenes may be long but not boring, they are what any fan of mgs experienced in the other games, and the game is as fantastic as the other mgs games, he didn't dumb down the game just to cather to the "wide" audience every developer is after now.

You got anymore questions you want to pull out of your ass?Jebus213

I dont mind but my only complaint is those types of games have zero replay value. Once you've beaten them, there's no incentive to even play it again or even own it. People bash crap like COD but COD offers hundreds upon hundreds of hours of gameplay. todd2r

Of course it isn't. Making games more linear, focusing on presentation over gameplay, ain't cool.

Sony are not taking that approach.

Yes but only because it creates more variety in today's games. Sony doesn't seem to be creating powerful enough experiences though to compel other studios to try and copy them which makes Sony's titles a bit unique in a way. So even if people aren't liking experiences like Heavy Rain or Uncharted then fine and dandy for them, because you don't really see any other studios trying to make Uncharted or Heavy Rain (yes I know of Unearthed).

Beyond Two Souls with Ellen Page looks sick!

Demo

Trailer

Yes but only because it creates more variety in today's games. Sony doesn't seem to be creating powerful enough experiences though to compel other studios to try and copy them which makes Sony's titles a bit unique in a way. So even if people aren't liking experiences like Heavy Rain or Uncharted then fine and dandy for them, because you don't really see any other studios trying to make Uncharted or Heavy Rain (yes I know of Unearthed).

whiskeystrike

New Tomb Raider looks like a carbon copy of Uncharted.

Sony certainly is not the only one dabbling in the field of "cinematic experiences". Some FPS games literally play themselves now.

I see no problem with cinematic games. Sure I could watch a movie if I wanted good cinematography, but games are [usually] longer and they're interactive, so that in and of itself warrants their existence. As for the industry as a whole making cine-game, I'm not gonna take sides. Who knows, could be fun.

Yes it is. Don't be narrowminded. They aren't only cinematic, they make plenty of traditional games too, but the cinematic ones are taking videogame storytelling to new heights.

It's a style of game. If you don't like it, don't play it. There are TONS of genres and game types out there, so if cinematic style games aren't to your liking, then please choose another.

But this is obvious, so I'm guessing this is a subtle Sony attack post, so w/e.

I don't mind a few so long as there's no glut of it. Both the Uncharted games and Alan Wake suits me just fine. I like a variety of games both "hardcore" and "casual." Too much of one or the other burns me out.

Right now, I feel there's a glut of RPGs and modern warfare FPSes. So, I'm kind of staying away from both.

i didn't know cut scenes are bad in games now...

other than heavy rain, there are plenty of gameplay in sony exclusive games...but off course fanboys will never accept that....its not like most of them have ever played the game anyway to know any better

I honestly don't think it's good for the industry. Too much blending of mediums. Let games be games, stop trying to make them into movies. I like games with replayability and good gameplay. Not games I sit there and watch 70% of the time and only play 30% of the time. Binding of Isaac is a game I enjoy over any Sony exclusive because it's a game that's very good at being a game. It's not some confused game trying to be a movie that's laced with QTE's and fractions of actual gameplay. And cutscenes in games aren't bad, to a point. We're at the point where developers use cutscenes TOO MUCH to where they dominate over the gameplay itself. That isn't good. I like Sony exclusives, but more the Infamous and Little Big Planet variety, and less Heavy Rain.

Why is the TC throwing this at Sony, when almost everyone is doing it?

Only if the games they create use the cinematic feature as a boost, not a crutch.

Games that rely solely on scripted moments , and use the cinematic label as an excuse is not good. CoD, Uncharted 3 and BF3 are examples of these.

but the cinematic ones are taking videogame storytelling to new heights.Eddie-Vedder

It certainly isn't bad for the industry. There are gamers who enjoy the cinematic approach and with these games releasing they can get what they crave. Why limit the industry by saying we shouldn't make this type of game?

I love it, people love it. What's the problem?

Personally I think script should serve the game, not the other way around. Now there seem to be games that focus on cinematic presentation and would subvert the gameplay mechanics for the storytelling, such as several typical plot devices used by other media. ie. Villain meet protagonist and let him live cliche seem to be used often. There are forced lost battles in the past video games as well, however when you must "win" a fight to keep the story progressing in order to have you "lose" in the next cutscene just feels contrived.

As one who liked the old adventure games on the PC, I tend to like games such as the Uncharted series and Alan Wake. I haven't tried Heavy Rain yet. But, I'll be buying it later. To me these games seem like a logical progression of the older games. That's why I consider the games above as adventure games. There's a heavy dose of adventuring alongside shooting sequences. These games are fine the way they are.

Where the problem lies are FPS and other shooters that try to feel cinematic when they really shouldn't. They should concentrate on the action without interruption.

Some people prefer watching instead of playing.:lol:

If it's done well it's fine. A game like Uncharted 2 is remarkably well paced, if not for all the literal cliff hanger moments (though in play these are more effective) Heavy Rain was a one off. I wouldn't worry too much about Sony's cinematic efforts as they are quite decent. It's mostly FPS games that are suffering.

To me it makes the game more immersive which is a good thing. You still get tons of gameplay with Uncharted, but it won't just be mindless shooting. The cruise ship level for example in Uncharted 3 is amazingly fun.