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What I’m talking about here is Metal Gear Solid 2. I’m talking about the idea that this is the clearest example yet of the ‘Game as Movie’. Nothing earth shattering there, obviously, but I’m thinking, as I play through the game – is this a good thing? The game is very much a good thing but is this high production value obsession with aping Hollywood style too much of a weight for games to bear?
Don’t get me wrong MGS2 is a great game. But sometimes it seems like a great game despite the cut scenes, the narrative flourishes and the twisting camera angles. And let’s face it, if it was a movie, it would be a pretty bad one. While it has some decent lines and twists, they are laid on with a trowel in scenes that wouldn’t move a movie forward one inch, never mind a game.
To some extent it doesn’t matter with Mr Snake and co - there is enough inherent class to see them through, but what about lesser games that will follow this lead? This style of game development is expensive and if it sets a trend will it drain resources from others?
To my mind there are other games out there that are warning shots. Soul Reaver 2 would be top of my list. I liked the first one, despite it being a bit platformy. But the second? You couldn’t take two steps without a mile long cut scene taking over. It simply spoiled the game for me.
All I’m saying really is that games are not movies and don’t have to try to be. The industry needs to get over this inferiority complex. Steal from the movie industry, from pop videos, from art from books from (gulp) real life if you have to but do it to make games better. Movie makers don’t go out of their way to convince the audience that “really we’re like books, only better”; game developers shouldn’t work so hard at saying “really we’re like movies, only better”.
Time to grow up, Snake.
Don’t get me wrong MGS2 is a great game. But sometimes it seems like a great game despite the cut scenes, the narrative flourishes and the twisting camera angles. And let’s face it, if it was a movie, it would be a pretty bad one. While it has some decent lines and twists, they are laid on with a trowel in scenes that wouldn’t move a movie forward one inch, never mind a game.
To some extent it doesn’t matter with Mr Snake and co - there is enough inherent class to see them through, but what about lesser games that will follow this lead? This style of game development is expensive and if it sets a trend will it drain resources from others?
To my mind there are other games out there that are warning shots. Soul Reaver 2 would be top of my list. I liked the first one, despite it being a bit platformy. But the second? You couldn’t take two steps without a mile long cut scene taking over. It simply spoiled the game for me.
All I’m saying really is that games are not movies and don’t have to try to be. The industry needs to get over this inferiority complex. Steal from the movie industry, from pop videos, from art from books from (gulp) real life if you have to but do it to make games better. Movie makers don’t go out of their way to convince the audience that “really we’re like books, only better”; game developers shouldn’t work so hard at saying “really we’re like movies, only better”.
Time to grow up, Snake.
Nice post.
I suppose its just about getting the balance right. Some people actually liked all the cut-scenes in MGS2. Some people really hated them...
Personally I quiet enjoyed them but they did get a little boring at times and the 2nd time I played through it I just skipped all the cut-scenes...
I suppose its just about getting the balance right. Some people actually liked all the cut-scenes in MGS2. Some people really hated them...
Personally I quiet enjoyed them but they did get a little boring at times and the 2nd time I played through it I just skipped all the cut-scenes...
What I’m talking about here is Metal Gear Solid 2. I’m talking about the idea that this is the clearest example yet of the ‘Game as Movie’. Nothing earth shattering there, obviously, but I’m thinking, as I play through the game – is this a good thing? The game is very much a good thing but is this high production value obsession with aping Hollywood style too much of a weight for games to bear?
Don’t get me wrong MGS2 is a great game. But sometimes it seems like a great game despite the cut scenes, the narrative flourishes and the twisting camera angles. And let’s face it, if it was a movie, it would be a pretty bad one. While it has some decent lines and twists, they are laid on with a trowel in scenes that wouldn’t move a movie forward one inch, never mind a game.
To some extent it doesn’t matter with Mr Snake and co - there is enough inherent class to see them through, but what about lesser games that will follow this lead? This style of game development is expensive and if it sets a trend will it drain resources from others?
To my mind there are other games out there that are warning shots. Soul Reaver 2 would be top of my list. I liked the first one, despite it being a bit platformy. But the second? You couldn’t take two steps without a mile long cut scene taking over. It simply spoiled the game for me.
All I’m saying really is that games are not movies and don’t have to try to be. The industry needs to get over this inferiority complex. Steal from the movie industry, from pop videos, from art from books from (gulp) real life if you have to but do it to make games better. Movie makers don’t go out of their way to convince the audience that “really we’re like books, only better”; game developers shouldn’t work so hard at saying “really we’re like movies, only better”.
Time to grow up, Snake.
Don’t get me wrong MGS2 is a great game. But sometimes it seems like a great game despite the cut scenes, the narrative flourishes and the twisting camera angles. And let’s face it, if it was a movie, it would be a pretty bad one. While it has some decent lines and twists, they are laid on with a trowel in scenes that wouldn’t move a movie forward one inch, never mind a game.
To some extent it doesn’t matter with Mr Snake and co - there is enough inherent class to see them through, but what about lesser games that will follow this lead? This style of game development is expensive and if it sets a trend will it drain resources from others?
To my mind there are other games out there that are warning shots. Soul Reaver 2 would be top of my list. I liked the first one, despite it being a bit platformy. But the second? You couldn’t take two steps without a mile long cut scene taking over. It simply spoiled the game for me.
All I’m saying really is that games are not movies and don’t have to try to be. The industry needs to get over this inferiority complex. Steal from the movie industry, from pop videos, from art from books from (gulp) real life if you have to but do it to make games better. Movie makers don’t go out of their way to convince the audience that “really we’re like books, only better”; game developers shouldn’t work so hard at saying “really we’re like movies, only better”.
Time to grow up, Snake.