Game cinematics, sometimes called cutscenes, are visual spectacles that showcase a game’s narrative elements, distinctive aesthetic, characters, and world. They’re most commonly crafted using CGI and VFX techniques rather than in-engine game footage to generate excitement and engage players in the characters and story.
Depending on the game in question, game cinematics can look very different. AAA games tend to have higher budgets than competitors, meaning these projects have the finances to produce visually impressive, often photorealistic, cinematics. Indie games, conversely, tend to have lower budgets but make the most of cinematics by elevating other aspects of them. Regardless of our client’s budgetary limitations, Magic Media crafts high-quality game cinematics no matter what.
Comparing Cinematics in Indie and AAA Games
AAA games characteristically have larger budgets, which enables these productions to employ the services of large teams of best-in-field, experienced talent. Less budgetary constraints also mean the studio can leverage state-of-the-art tools and software to bring impressive game cinematics to life. Large budgets afford practically limitless scope for studios crafting AAA game cinematics. The potential trade-off is that publishers often provide financial contributions to AAA game productions, presenting the possibility that creative compromises might be necessary if the publisher and development studios have different visions. These compromises can affect the game’s overall direction including its cinematics.
Indie games usually have smaller budgets, and thus less scope for having large teams of experienced cinematic crafters and high-end software. Though this might initially seem like a disadvantage, skilled independent game cinematics creators have been working around this roadblock for years. Operating independently allows studios to target more niche audiences with unique visual styles and game cinematics, which can potentially attract audiences that are seeking something other than what AAA games offer.
Aesthetic Hallmarks of Game Cinematics
AAA games usually aim for a literal cinematic feel with their game cinematics akin to film, featuring bombastic action sequences, set pieces, and spectacles of different kinds infused with showcasing characters, its world, and narrative pieces. AAA game cinematics feature highly detailed character models, animations, visual effects, and lighting that come together to form a high-fidelity sequence that has mainstream appeal in the gaming industry.
Indie games, on the other hand, usually focus on distinct or otherwise stylized visuals. With lower budgets, independent game cinematics and indie games usually aim for interesting aesthetics that are unique or not commonly seen among AAA games. From minimalist to cel shading and everything in between, indie game cinematics are rife with distinctive visuals that attract crowds for their distinct qualities. By focusing on the visual design itself rather than raw fidelity, indie game cinematics stand out in the crowded gaming market.
Which is Better for Game Cinematics?
Neither approach for game cinematics is better in the truest sense of the word, but each has distinct advantages that can work effectively depending on the game, the target audience, and overall market appeal. Game cinematics should naturally be molded by the game’s overall visual style. If a game uses a hyperrealism visual style, the cinematics should also, for the sake of maintaining cohesive visuals.
AAA games tend to have more of an immediate ‘wow’ factor due to the high fidelity of game cinematics seen for these games, whereas, indie games regularly impress with their distinctive styles. Ultimately, regardless of the game, target audience, chosen visual styles, or budget, game cinematics can be crafted to impressively high quality with the right creative talent.
Take a look at our extensive body of game cinematics work, in addition to VFX for television and film projects, to learn more about Magic Media’s high-quality work. Reach out to us today, we would be more than happy to collaborate and figure out how we can deliver our second-to-none cinematics, VFX, animations, models, and much more!
