Frequently Asked Questions

WTF is Cinema Gamer?
What isn't Cinema Gamer? Well actually, Cinema Gamer is just an ambitious project to document as many video game cinematics as possible. Our dream is to create an archive of every video game cinematic and in-game movie.

WTF is a Cinematic?
There's many names for this - including cut-scene, movie, CG or CGI video, intro, outro, and of course cinematic. In short, a cinematic is a pre-rendered or in-game generated movie that is generally used in video games to tell a story, further a plot, guide a user to do or view something, or just as a way of showing off in-game features. Cinematics are most often used within video games to help tell the story or plot of the game, and they have become a staple and expected norm of gaming. As graphics improved over time, video games relied less on pre-rendered videos and focused more heavily on using the video game's in-built engine to portray these cinematic movies. Almost every video game to date has had some form of cinematic scene, including Pac-man - which had a few small cutscenes between selective levels showing Pac-man chasing or being chased by the ghosts.

What's the difference between cinematics?
It's hard to say, but generally most video games have a standard formula for cinematics:

1. Opening - This generally occurs right when the video game is launched, and appears after the publisher and developer logos. It usually is found in video game sequels, and serves as a way to inform new gamers to the franchise on the history or background story behind the game. Sometimes the opening is completely pointless and is just a means of introducing the character, or features a trailer for the video game.
    
2. Introduction - This is almost a standard clause in the gaming industry. The introduction, just like any good movie or book, sets up character development, and the rest of the plot. Video games that are heavily plot oriented usually make gratuitous usage of the introduction to set up all the plot and setting elements to propel the later portions of the game. The introduction cut scene is also important because it tells the gamer who they are playing, why they should care, and what it is they're trying to achieve. The introduction is not always cinematic, or animated - sometimes it can be just scrolling text - or in some very rare cases - static text.
    
3. Conclusion - Just like the introduction, only this is where everything gets wrapped up. All the juicy elements of the plot are supposed to be wrapped up, although in recent times it's become a big trend to leave the game on a cliff-hanger so as to leave room for a sequel/prequel - or just as a cheap ploy to sell books, merchandising - or maybe just because the writers have no idea how to logically end the game. The conclusion is the reward - it's what a gamer earns for trekking through the endless corridors of a space installation, fighting through a dystopian nightmare, or even just for stacking coloured bricks.

That is just the most usual setup of video game cinematics, but it also differs based upon the developer and the genre of the game. Some video game titles have been known to make generous usage of video game cutscenes, such as the Command & Conquer Series. Sometimes a video game may be split into chapters or according to playable factions - and each faction or chapter may include a separate introduction and conclusion.

Why does anyone need to see Video Game Cinematics?
There are many reasons why you may want to see any of these video game cinematic, but here's the most likely:

• You want to relive a game you played, but perhaps no longer have it or you rented it.
• You didn't quite understand the plot behind a game while playing it, and want to view the cutscenes again.
• Your game is scratched/tarnished/broken but you still want to experience the game.
• You vaguely remember the plot behind a game, and want to remember the finer details.
• You want to play the newest game in a series, but you don't know the background plot behind the series.
• You could never beat that final boss or level, but you'd still like to see how it ends.
• You finished the game but didn't feel like collecting all the hidden items to unlock the alternate ending.
• You loaned the game out to someone, but never got it back - and maybe never finished the game.
• You really don't have the patience or time to play the game everyone's raving about.
• You're going to see that new movie based on a video game, but have no idea what the game is about.
• You've just seen that new movie based on a video game, and want to see whether it lives up to the game's plot.
• You're Jack Thompson or [insert politician] hell-bent on using video games as a scapegoat for greater social issues..
• Or Maybe you just like video games as much as us!

  Take your pick..

Is this an alternative to playing the video game?
No Way! Cutscenes are for the most part - non-interactive. Playing the game is where the fun is! The cinematics pail in comparison to the actual enjoyment of playing the game. These cinematics and cutscene videos are not an alternative to playing the game, you're sorely missing out if all you do is just watch the cinematics and avoid the games.

Are Video Games art?
I don't see any reason why they can't be. Why is it that we can accept certain doodles and scribblings on canvas as works of art, we can tolerate certain movies as artistic, we can even classify certain music as art - BUT apparently video games just don't cut it as artistic works in some groups. Apparently these groups find fault with video games, which they label as entirely useless or violent, ignoring of course the variety of art works that condone or portray uber-violence or sexuality. While not all video games can be deemed as artistic, there are many instances where a game can express emotions that no other medium can capture - mostly as a result of the interactivity it can provide. In these cases, where the player actually begins to feel for the characters, or maybe even becomes absorbed in the plot or setting, it can definitely be stated that at some level or form - this is artistic expression. Then again Art is in the eye of the beholder.

How come you're missing X video game?
As mentioned earlier, this is an ambitious project - and there's absolutely no way we can cover every game ever created. We're finding it difficult to just cover the big mainstream games - which is why we need YOU! If there's a video game that's missing, it most likely means that we've never played it, heard of it or we just don't have the skills to pay the bills..(we can't beat the game). So if you notice we're missing a game, and you rented/own/have access to that game - we would love for you to play the game, and capture any cinematics within the game (whether it's the opening introduction, in-game cinematics, or the conclusion) and to upload it to a video host like YouTube. Then submit it to us (register for an account on Cinema Gamer, and click submit). Once it's reviewed, your addition will be added - and everyone will love you for it.

You're missing X cinematic for that video game!
Sometimes we're missing a cinematic because we couldn't find that cinematic, or someone forgot to capture it, or something happened and we no longer have that cinematic anymore. If you notice that a cinematic is missing and you have that cinematic or can acquire it and upload it for us, then simply upload it to a video host like YouTube and then submit it to us (register for an account with Cinema Gamer, and then click the submit button once logged in). We'll review it, and add it with the other cinematics for the game.

If we mislabelled a cinematic, please contact us using the submit form (requires registration).

How can I contribute?
If you notice that we're missing a video game or some of its cinematics, you can submit it to us and help us build up our archive of games. We rely on generous gamers like yourself to help play the games and collect the videos so they can be posted and shared with everyone. You can also just comment and rate video game cinematics, this helps us identify the best and worst video game cinematics.

How can I contact you?

cinemagamr@gmail.com