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Phase I of Alpha Two testing will occur on weekends. Each weekend is scheduled to start on Fridays at 10 AM PT and end on Sundays at 10 PM PT. Find out more here.
Check out Alpha Two Announcements here to see the latest Alpha Two news and update notes.
Our quickest Alpha Two updates are in Discord. Testers with Alpha Two access can chat in Alpha Two channels by connecting your Discord and Intrepid accounts here.
How do you feel about cutscenes/cinematics?
Lately I've been wondering whether AoC will have cutscenes, and is this something the community wants? Furthermore do you think it is possible, given that the game is kinda "randomized"?
Just to make the thread more interesting I also wanna ask, what is your favorite game cutscene, and would what would you like to see in AoC? (just assume cutscenes is a thing;) ).
<strong>So let me start out</strong>: I think/hope that minor cutscenes will be a thing. The natural cutscenes, where you look at a new landscape/dungeon would make sense regardless of how the server has progressed. And since there will be some global narratives, it might also be possible to have longer cinematics :)
I've always felt that the small cutscenes where you see your own hands/body and look around yourself/the sweeping landscape view is really beneficial or the user experience.
<strong>If I could put one cutscene in it would be this</strong>: You just cleared a Wizard tower in a dense forest (you can only see the crown of the trees from the bottom), after the dungeon or before the last boss, you step out on a balcony. You open the door with one hand in frame and look out on the bright sun over the tree tops, mountains in the background and a bit of lense flare :)
This idea is basicly taken from Dying Light when you look at "Sector 0" for the first time, I just adapted the idea to a fantasy game. That cinematic isnt that significant, but it really has an impact at that part of the game (I think at least ;) ), since you move from low 'slummy' buildings to large tall ones. (Couldn't find the scene on youtube, sorry :( )
Just to make the thread more interesting I also wanna ask, what is your favorite game cutscene, and would what would you like to see in AoC? (just assume cutscenes is a thing;) ).
<strong>So let me start out</strong>: I think/hope that minor cutscenes will be a thing. The natural cutscenes, where you look at a new landscape/dungeon would make sense regardless of how the server has progressed. And since there will be some global narratives, it might also be possible to have longer cinematics :)
I've always felt that the small cutscenes where you see your own hands/body and look around yourself/the sweeping landscape view is really beneficial or the user experience.
<strong>If I could put one cutscene in it would be this</strong>: You just cleared a Wizard tower in a dense forest (you can only see the crown of the trees from the bottom), after the dungeon or before the last boss, you step out on a balcony. You open the door with one hand in frame and look out on the bright sun over the tree tops, mountains in the background and a bit of lense flare :)
This idea is basicly taken from Dying Light when you look at "Sector 0" for the first time, I just adapted the idea to a fantasy game. That cinematic isnt that significant, but it really has an impact at that part of the game (I think at least ;) ), since you move from low 'slummy' buildings to large tall ones. (Couldn't find the scene on youtube, sorry :( )
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I personally like them. For example when I enter a dungeon for the first time, a quick cutscene showing me an overview of the dungeon would be appreciated. During the storyline questing (or at any part during the main story) cinematics are actually a good way of storytelling and I like them too, as long as they're not unbearably boring.
I never played WoW but I have all their cinematics downloaded on my PC :D I think Blizzard is one of the best when it comes to making cinematics. Just go to WoW's YouTube and check some cinematics, see if you will dislike any!
Skippable cutscenes also seem nice. Just let them not be boring!
Cheers!
At times I have enjoyed them in games,although most of them have been for a very linear storyline where each character goes through the same story over and over.
What about some cutscenes to announce the start of big event ,or appearance of worldbosses,....?
Its not at the top of my list of most wanted things..when looking at the water temple vid the scenery /environment is very pretty
Such beauty ,worthy of a spectator mode..anything less, like a mere cutscene, would be an insult :D
Imagine a spectator mode for worldbosses and then a players being doomed in the scenery or photobombing it lol
Now being able to skip cutscenes/cinematics is also nice as there are people who really don't like watching them.
I think adding a few good cinematics is better than having none, or stuffing a bunch of useless ones down peoples throats
Some of my favorite cutscenes are probably from World of Warcraft. It's been so long since I've seen them that I can't even name them.
I'd love to see Ashes do this as well, yet there are other types I'd like to see them use.
- Node cutscenes: Whenever a node gets upgraded, you'd get a notion on the side of your screen, telling you about the upgrade and offering you a cutscene to watch.
- City/metro cutscenes: Similar, but something that would automaticly pop up on your screen, unless in combat. It woud tell you the name of the node and show you how it looked.
- Entering and finishing a dungeon for the first time: Personally I hope some questing will be added in terms of dungeons, so that you feel connected to them, and feel as though they are important for you and the world around you. What i'd love to see are small cutscenes when you enter, giving you an overlook of the dungeon and perhaps some lore about it as well.
- Event cutscenes: Your server just opened up the newest raid? A seasonal event just started? Watch it. These cutscenes would hang as papers on newsboards and you would have to go check for news every now and again to see if anything major is happening. When you do, you'd be presented with a small cutscene that tells you a bit about the event and where to find it.
If the cutscenes are good (+ skipable) then it would be ok, though most would probably only prefer the occasional occasional cutscene, instead of all the time.
I don't know how the first post came across, but I'm definately in the occasional lane, like when doing something extra ordinary or entering a dungeon for the first time etc. Some cutscenes can be gold though, I thought of this one the otherday, also from dying light (doing a full clear with a friend right now ;) ). Theres a side quest with these two guys called "Tolga and Fatim" they basicly make you sit through (though skipable) cutscene where they rant on how dumb you are, and it's really quite fun :) Having random character react to you that way with some narrative <strong>could</strong> be fun, as long as it doesnt take up too much time, and is skipable if you're in a hurry.
Edit:
[quote quote=1821]These cutscenes would hang as papers on newsboards and you would have to go check for news every now and again to see if anything major is happening. When you do, you’d be presesnted with a small cutscenes that tells you a bit about the event and where to find it.
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So make some Harry Potter style gifs on messages board? I like it sounds fun, and as a good way to make re-watchable cinematics
<blockquote><div class="d4p-bbt-quote-title"><a href="https://www.ashesofcreation.com/forums/topic/how-do-you-feel-about-cutscenescinematics/#post-1821" rel="nofollow">BraneGames wrote:</a></div>
These cutscenes would hang as papers on newsboards and you would have to go check for news every now and again to see if anything major is happening. When you do, you’d be presesnted with a small cutscenes that tells you a bit about the event and where to find it.
</blockquote>
So make some Harry Potter style gifs on messages board? I like it sounds fun, and as a good way to make re-watchable cinematics
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That'd make for an interesting mechanic of the game. Since the world is extremely dynamic, some kind of log or history book that lets people view the history of each region might be fun, with certain worldwide events affecting all regions' histories. The viewing can, of course, be done in cutscene format (just to keep this post relevant to the thread :P).
Info is normally an optional thing, so a skip option is good.
BUT, (always a but)...
When you have new players and vet players doing dungeons.
The new player wants the full flavour experience, the vet does not.
The Vet rushes off to do the dungeon, the new player is left abandoned to the cut scenes and info. or quest giver.
Nothing better to destroy the whole gaming experience for new players.
So, do you make dungeon story/quest/cut scene compulsory for all ?
Just to make sure new players arent left abandoned.
Whose game experience takes priority ?
Those is one of the things that is never really answered and creates an antagonistic mess.
One thing WoW got right early on was in-game scripted events that told story and had characters interact within the context of the game world. So your character was there witnessing it, you weren't "watching" a movie which very much takes you out of it as a player. If there's a story moment to convey visually, and dramatically, I prefer it be this way!
Of course WoW has added tons of cutscenes, but then again they've changed much of their game to appeal to a different audience than they original had.
some key moments that i think cut scenes would be needed are like our arrival to the world i think that would be a hard thing to accomplish through player interaction due to the massiveness of that undertaking.
If we can skip them I'll be happy with that.
Also we had a library idea going on in the forums, maybe we can add a section to watch cut-scenes in the library.
Nodes
I would love seeing Node cutscenes. When it reaches a higher tier or its tier gets decreased. Maybe a little fight could be thrown into the mix, giving the cutscene some meaning and diversity, so it's not the 'usual' boring animation.
E.g. A guild wreaked havoc on a Node. Instead of just showing the Node being destroyed by the usual animation, a little fight displaying the guild and the Node's authorities fighting for victory, could be thrown into the mix.
Dungeons
Yes and no! If there are Story dungeons, important to the lore / world's history, absolutely yes! Random dungeons don't need one for me, if they don't have a bigger impact on the overall progression of the world, why bother?
<strong>BUT</strong> But please give us the possibility to skip them!
World Boss
Yes, I want them! World bosses should have an animation signaling their entrance. Adding some nice music to the spectacle would be pretty darn perfect!
They don't have to be skippable for me but they shouldn't be super long either. Just a little "ah, I see - The Chief of Satan has just risen from his hellish manor. Gird your loins"
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[quote quote=2769]I pretty much agree with <a href="https://www.ashesofcreation.com/forums/users/branegames/" rel="nofollow">@branegames</a>
If we can skip them I’ll be happy with that.
Also we had a library idea going on in the forums, maybe we can add a section to watch cut-scenes in the library.
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That I really like. So we don't have to watch them but we can if need be!
~ Zention
Also we had a library idea going on in the forums, maybe we can add a section to watch cut-scenes in the library.
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Well I made that thread, so I'll add it to the list :)
@Zention Great ideas, I agree it should basicly only be when needed and more of a "information tool", than anything else :)
[quote quote=2819]Not a fan of cut scenes in an MMO ~ I feel it brings me out of the immersion of the game. Would rather see time and resources spent on the game mechanics (fighting/crafting/quests/etc…).
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Not even if its like @Zention describes it? Only when important, skipable and to inform you of a world boss or a node upgrade.
"Dungeons"
i agree yes and no, cut scenes should only so in story specific dungeons. and they should be disabled after completion of the first run.
Reason?
whats more annoying in a dungeon than walking into a boss room, about to attack and the cut scene plays, everyone skips but that 1 person and then you have to wait the entire cut scene to start...
Stick them in the lulls of activity at the beginning or end.
Also like the idea of a memory bank in the node hall.
Flashes of sensory memory that capture select/key historical moments.
Could take up loooooooooooooooooooots of space though, unless you have a way to compress the movement and activity data of every user and access it in a time/location specific and rapid way.
How do you manage the camera ? user controllable rotation/zoom ?
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that would be handy, i would like to see a option like that in every game :P although i like seeing them at least once.