Pre-rendered vs in-game cut scenes:
I debated whether to make in-game cut scene or have them pre-rendered for this game. The advantage of having pre-rendered cut scenes is that it allows me to assist in the transition between different levels. Instead of a basic loading screen, I could mask the change with a pre-rendered cut scene, making it more immersive for the player and preventing them from feeling disconnected from the game they are playing.
In-game cut scenes will be tailored to the game’s resolution, allowing them to fit more into the game. Pre_rendered cut scenes can only be recorded at a specific resolution. For example, if you record a pre_rendered cut scene at 1920 x 1080, it will only be displayed at that resolution in game.
Opening Cutscene:
I was entrusted with creating the first cutscene, which shows the host of the party being poisoned. I needed to wait for the dining room to be completely blocked out before I could figure out where all of the characters would be for the main sequence. I knew what I had to establish in the cutscene after discussing the story with other team members and knowing what would happen before and after the cutscene. I decided to make this cutscene in game because all of the assets I need are already done, and anything that isn’t modelled can be substituted with block out assets, eliminating the need to re-render the cutscene.
We chose to add more to the opening cutscene after some thought to develop more of a narrative. We discussed adding a scenario in which the main character, CC Tinsley, speaks to the audience and establishes that the game you’re about to play is a flashback to a story that CC Tinsley is telling you.
I wanted to make linkages between the suspects and the character who is being poisened in this moment. Because this is one of the first things the player will see and they won’t know anything about the plot, I wanted to establish the setting for them. This will be accomplished quickly with narration and the characters speaking within the cutscene. More in-game dialogue between characters will create more links and backstory.
After some additional thought, I approached the team with the notion of having the opening cutscene pre-rendered. I wanted to accomplish this because it would be better for playing the game if there was no loading screen between the main menu and the cutscene so that the engine could generate the environment. The cutscene would be the loading screen that connects the menu and gameplay. This allows for more interaction with the player because there is always something happening on that they may focus on. I wanted to render this cutscene at least in 2k resolution so that it would appear well on most monitors. I’ll add dialogue and music to the video once it’s rendered to add additional detail.
Final Cutscene:
I added voice acting, sound effects, and jazz music to the opening cinematic to give it more atmosphere.
Gun Shot Cutscene:
I had to depict the character William Eubanks’ demise in the second cutscene. I wanted to make homage to vintage detective serials when the murderer’s silhouette is seen for this. Assailant would be pointing pistol at defenceless William. I utilised the CC Tinsley hand that another team member had animated in a grab animation as the murderer’s hand and gave it a black texture to maintain the sense of ambiguity regarding the identity of the murderer and prevent you from determining it from the murderer’s hand alone. For a more realistic appearance and to better conceal the hand, I also gave the camera depth of field. This scene is a is used to transition between the first and second locations.
references:
www.youtube.com. (n.d.). 1 Hour of Late Night Driving Doomer Jazz. [online] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4ygVwbOyJU&ab_channel=VlaspattaKaramazov [Accessed 15/2/2023].
sketchfab.com. (n.d.). Drum – Download Free 3D model by Andrei V (@vav206). [online] Available at: https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/drum-3bdb9a685e834932a7f3ce226d7bd247 [Accessed 13/3/2023].
sketchfab.com. (n.d.). Grand Piano | HW – Download Free 3D model by Almaz (@Almazmeteor). [online] Available at: https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/grand-piano-hw-87eddb7ef5334f368be785a40fa8c6e8 [Accessed 13/3/2023].
sketchfab.com. (n.d.). The Last of Us Guitar – Download Free 3D model by Wevensson. [online] Available at: https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/the-last-of-us-guitar-25b7914065d1495f834b2f249a1e9e5c [Accessed 13/3/2023].