The Cinematic Trailer versus Gameplay Debate
A debate surrounding cinematic trailers versus gameplay has erupted on the PC Gaming subreddit. One user shares their preference for both, while other users argue that gamers will always find something to complain about. The discussion delves into the perspective of an AAA artistic developer, the significance of timing, and more.“I believe it ultimately comes down to personal preference and what you seek in a game,” begins ‘Artistic_Developer,’ a user who claims to work for a renowned AAA artistic developer and has previously shared their concept art for games like Cyberpunk 2033. “Personally, I find cinematic trailers to be captivating. They serve as a fantastic platform for developers to showcase their artistic abilities.”
They provide examples of games with exceptional cutscenes, such as the original Max Payne, System Shock 2, and Half-Life 2, emphasizing the importance of timing. “If a game is nearing its release date, I expect to see gameplay footage,” they explain. “However, if a game is still in the distant future and you want to build hype, even if it's solely CGI, I understand that as well.”
“I do believe it is deceptive marketing to release trailers without any in-game cinematics or gameplay,” they continue, “but it's crucial to acknowledge the significance of marketing in the overall game industry.” They also point out that “producing movies and cutscenes is an expensive endeavor” and that “advertising and promoting games through trailers incurs costs.” However, they suggest that “if you are going to invest in trailers, why not allocate that money towards game development?”
The prevalence of marketing in the gaming industry is a sentiment shared by many, but one user argues, “we should be mindful of [marketing], as it influences what we consume.” They then express a long-standing opinion that traces back to the introduction of cutscenes.
“Back in the day, when cutscenes first emerged, I thought, ‘This is fantastic! Now I can experience the game from the comfort of my chair without having to play it all!’” They proceed to criticize the trend of games resembling cinematic experiences rather than focusing on gameplay, a sentiment echoed by many users.
However, another user humorously responds to the remark about “deceptive marketing,” while numerous users highlight the effectiveness of cinematic trailers without gameplay by referencing specific trailers.
“Even if the game itself is disappointing, a cinematic trailer can be somewhat redeeming,” one user shares. “It reminds me of the recent Shadow of the Tomb Raider controversy – while you may harbor negative feelings towards the developers, you still maintain positive sentiments towards the franchise.” Another user confesses that they “used to be an advocate for cinematic trailers,” but admits that “over time, I've come to realize that most of my favorite games are actually quite solid.”
Many users express nostalgia for old-school cinematic trailers or the perception that numerous games released by major studios nowadays are disappointing. One user confesses that they “dislike cinematic trailers unless they are for a game that I am genuinely excited about,” which resonates with my own feelings towards trailers.
Another user eagerly anticipates high-quality cinematic trailers for specific game franchises, such as The Witcher and Metro, while another criticizes how “the value of a game is not solely determined by its gameplay.” This comment alludes to the ongoing 'cinematic trailers versus gameplay' debate and proceeds to condemn the practice of “some games releasing gameplay footage, followed by a trailer showcasing different gameplay, only to release a third trailer featuring yet another new gameplay.”
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