Intro sequence
Encyclopedia
An intro sequence is a non-interactive introductory sequence for a computer or video game. Previously, intro sequences were very often prerendered, hand drawn, or otherwise outside the main game engine
. In recent years, sophisticated game engines have been able to render graphics of comparable quality to ray-traced sequences, allowing modern intro sequences to take place within the game engine (Unreal Tournament
), or even as a scripted subsection
of the game (Half Life).
The term "intro sequence" is used almost exclusively in the game industry. The non-abbreviated term introductory sequence usually refers to the opening of a film. The game term obtains meaning from the film term, as games use intro sequences to create a cinematic atmosphere.
Before the advent of powerful 3D video cards, the mismatch between what a game developer's workstation could render without time constraints, and what the target home computer could render in real time, was large enough that games would nearly always include some kind of scene or mood setting intro sequence.
The interactive movie
genre, and games like Myst
, whose graphics are almost completely pre-rendered, are a separate phenomenon.
games often included long, cinematic intro sequences; the hardware was no more powerful than an Amiga 1200
, but the 650 Mb of space on each CD could be easily filled with pre-rendered videos. The launch titles Microcosm
and Liberation
featured a long cinematic video, with Super Stardust
and Alien Breed: Tower Assault
following later.
Frontier: Elite 2 was an early game to feature an intro sequence created entirely with the game engine.
s, where normal gameplay is suspended while a short piece of exposition plays out, which may involve a change in the position of the camera (e.g. Dawn of War) or may not (e.g. Half-Life 2
).
Developments in software and hardware have allowed more recent games to render their cutscenes within the game engine itself.
Game engine
A game engine is a system designed for the creation and development of video games. There are many game engines that are designed to work on video game consoles and personal computers...
. In recent years, sophisticated game engines have been able to render graphics of comparable quality to ray-traced sequences, allowing modern intro sequences to take place within the game engine (Unreal Tournament
Unreal Tournament
Unreal Tournament is a futuristic first-person shooter video game co-developed by Epic Games and Digital Extremes. It was published in 1999 by GT Interactive. Retrospectively, the game has also been referred to as UT99 or UT Classic to differentiate it from its numbered sequels...
), or even as a scripted subsection
Scripted sequence
In video games, a scripted sequence is a pre-defined series of events that occurs when triggered by player location or actions.Some scripted sequences are merely used to play short cut scenes that the player has little control of...
of the game (Half Life).
The term "intro sequence" is used almost exclusively in the game industry. The non-abbreviated term introductory sequence usually refers to the opening of a film. The game term obtains meaning from the film term, as games use intro sequences to create a cinematic atmosphere.
Before the advent of powerful 3D video cards, the mismatch between what a game developer's workstation could render without time constraints, and what the target home computer could render in real time, was large enough that games would nearly always include some kind of scene or mood setting intro sequence.
The interactive movie
Interactive movie
An interactive movie is a video game that features highly cinematic presentation and heavy use of scripting, often through the use of full-motion video of either animated or live-action footage.-Philosophy:...
genre, and games like Myst
Myst
Myst is a graphic adventure video game designed and directed by the brothers Robyn and Rand Miller. It was developed by Cyan , a Spokane, Washington––based studio, and published and distributed by Brøderbund. The Millers began working on Myst in and released it for the Mac OS computer on September...
, whose graphics are almost completely pre-rendered, are a separate phenomenon.
Notable games
Amiga CD32Amiga CD32
The Amiga CD32, styled "CD32" , was the first 32-bit CD-ROM based video game console released in western Europe, Australia, Canada and Brazil. It was first announced at the Science Museum in London, United Kingdom on 16 July 1993, and was released in September of the same year...
games often included long, cinematic intro sequences; the hardware was no more powerful than an Amiga 1200
Amiga 1200
The Amiga 1200, or A1200 , was Commodore International's third-generation Amiga computer, aimed at the home market...
, but the 650 Mb of space on each CD could be easily filled with pre-rendered videos. The launch titles Microcosm
Microcosm (video game)
Microcosm is a shoot 'em up computer game developed and published by Psygnosis in . It was released for the Sega Mega-CD and Amiga CD32 game consoles, as well as MS-DOS. Microcosm featured realistic FMV animation, with the graphics being rendered on Silicon Graphics workstations...
and Liberation
Liberation: Captive 2
Liberation: Captive 2 is an Amiga game that was written by Byte Engineers and published by Mindscape in 1994. It is the sequel to Captive....
featured a long cinematic video, with Super Stardust
Stardust (game)
Stardust is a shoot 'em up computer game for the Amiga, released by the Finnish company Bloodhouse in 1993. The game is essentially an Asteroids clone with modern enhancements, such as power-ups, shields, a high-energy techno module soundtrack, vivid use of colors and the occasional tunnel section...
and Alien Breed: Tower Assault
Alien Breed
Alien Breed is the first in a series of science fiction computer games played in the form of a top-down shooter for one or two players. It was released in 1991 by Team17 for the Commodore Amiga and later in 1993 by MicroLeague for MS-DOS.-Gameplay:...
following later.
Frontier: Elite 2 was an early game to feature an intro sequence created entirely with the game engine.
Cutscenes
Closely related to intro sequences are cutsceneCutscene
A cutscene is a sequence in a video game over which the player has no or only limited control, breaking up the gameplay and used to advance the plot, strengthen the main character's development, introduces enemy characters, and provide background information, atmosphere, dialogue, and clues...
s, where normal gameplay is suspended while a short piece of exposition plays out, which may involve a change in the position of the camera (e.g. Dawn of War) or may not (e.g. Half-Life 2
Half-Life 2
Half-Life 2 , the sequel to Half-Life, is a first-person shooter video game and a signature title in the Half-Life series. It is singleplayer, story-driven, science fiction, and linear...
).
Developments in software and hardware have allowed more recent games to render their cutscenes within the game engine itself.