cutscenes

Cutscenes are scripted, non-playable sequences in video games that advance the story, reveal backstory, or develop characters. They can be used to convey information more efficiently than in-game dialogue and are typically triggered by progress, location, or specific actions. Cutscenes may be created using real-time graphics within the game engine or as pre-rendered video that plays during a transition.

There are several types of cutscenes. In-engine or real-time cutscenes are rendered by the game’s own graphics pipeline and may allow limited interaction or choices from the player. Pre-rendered cutscenes use external animation and rendering, often appearing as cinema-style videos that play without player input. Interactive cutscenes incorporate some player involvement, ranging from dialogue choices to quick-time events, while fully cinematic cutscenes resemble film scenes with minimal interaction.

The primary purpose of cutscenes is storytelling. They help establish setting, motivation, and character relationships, pace the narrative, and cue emotional beats. Production elements include direction, voice acting, music, and often motion capture or detailed animation. As technology progressed, developers moved from sequence-heavy, pre-rendered videos to more seamless, in-engine cinematics with branching paths and dynamic camera work, enabling greater integration with gameplay and player choice.

Historically, cutscenes emerged to convey complex plots in early games and evolved from static interludes to cinematic experiences in titles such as Metal Gear Solid and Final Fantasy. Modern games frequently blend cutscenes with gameplay, balancing narrative delivery with player agency. Critics note that cutscenes can disrupt pacing or interrupt engagement, leading to ongoing exploration of more interactive or player-driven storytelling approaches.