They used to be quite a big deal. They're not any more.
Obviously this is a 'post your favourites' thread, but what point did a non-engine, non-anime introduction movie become passe? With few exceptions, anything pre-rendered (game related) starts my eyes rolling these days, and not just in TV ads. Was it simply a case of as in-game graphics improved, the swish front-end movies like the one above lost their allure, or did over-use of CGI in cinema also play a part? It's unlikely many of us would put the same effort into unlocking bonus footage as a reward, for example. Is it fair to say their appeal was on the wane by the time the Dreamcast arrived? Are there any noteworthy modern examples?
There was definitely an art to good intros. I enjoyed leaving games on the title screen just to watch them. Weirdly I started up Crysis tonight to see how it still looks and there's a fucking dreadful unskippable trailer style opening when you start a new game. Looks worse than the actual game itself (which still looks aces considering it's nearly 8 years old).
Probably fell out of favour simply because in-engine graphics started catching up. And game development is expensive enough as is. Off the top of my head it's only Squeenix and Blizzard who bother with lavish ones now.
Skerret's posting is ok to trip balls to and read just to experience the ambience but don't expect any content. "I'm jealous of sucking major dick!"~ Kernowgaz
It's mostly the PS1 era stuff I remember, probably because that was the first time they had all that CD space to fill and the graphics in the intros were significantly better than the in-game stuff.
The FFVII one is still so good. That zoom all the way out to show the whole city, then zoom in again and suddenly you're actually playing the game. Incredible.
Skerret's posting is ok to trip balls to and read just to experience the ambience but don't expect any content. "I'm jealous of sucking major dick!"~ Kernowgaz
Intros and cutscenes can get to fuck. I don't think I've watched one that was skippable since the first Tomb Raider on ps1. Pretty sure I skipped them all in that overrated claptrap The Last of Us too, although I hardly remember playing it now.
Certain intros can set the mood nicely. Others are dreadfuck. Secret of Mana had a good one.
Skerret's posting is ok to trip balls to and read just to experience the ambience but don't expect any content. "I'm jealous of sucking major dick!"~ Kernowgaz