Narrated sequences instead of cutscenes (let's use our imagination again).

[Ovocean]

Yes please, please! Bring back the magic of BG's, IWD's narrations! My imagination creates so much richer and unique and emotional imagery than any cinematic cutscene can come up with! Let me use it!

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGS2TMZT-Qg

Edited September 20, 2012 by Ovocean

[Jaesun]

Narration of MotB was pure awesome. Though those absolutely beautiful picture intros of say IWD II were just pure awesome. <3

[nikolokolus]

Yup, narration with some really evocative art sounds great to me. There's just something about Ron Perlman and those stills in Fallout in the opening sequence that still haunt me ...

[incubus9]

I love a good narrator. Lets see if we can get a new reward tier. At 2.2 Million Morgan Freeman narrates!

[Gann]

Narration of MotB was pure awesome. Though those absolutely beautiful picture intros of say IWD II were just pure awesome. <3

 

I've the same opinion. The style of narration in Mask of the Betrayer, and in Planescape: Torment also, is extremely involving.

 

I remember when, at the beggining of Mask of the Betrayer, you have three choices: stand up, turn around your head, or try to remember what happened to you. The possibilities to make many different choices, even for the simpliest things, gives a marvellous feeling of the game, especially for an RPG.

[Naril]

I agree absolutely.

 

Cutscenes are fine and great, but Narrated sequences cost significantly less and work just as well.

 

Not to say I'm against the 'idea' of cutscenes for this game, but they should be in strict moderation.

 

maybe just a beginning and ending cutscene? similar to placescape torment and baldur's gate beginning and ending cutscenes. (if budget allows.)

Edited September 20, 2012 by Naril

[pipboy2000]

Narrated sequences with pictures leave enough to the imagination and are much cheaper than cutscenes. I really like the "dark tower comic trailer", molarBear posted. If it would be made that way, I would be fine!

[Veleda]

While interruptions to player action should be rare IMO, I like narrated interludes, as well, especially if accompanied by beautiful art. The Witcher comes to mind here. The art was so beautiful (I'm talking the original Witcher game) that it almost made loading screens and narrative sequences a pleasure rather than something to get through.

[Karranthain]

I was thinking it would be pretty nice if major characters in the game (including the companions) had a small narrated sequence of their own, which would describe them in a few sentences (while their portrait would be displayed in the background).

[Raithe]

The balance of narrations with pictures, and potential cutscenes.. Things get increasingly harder if they're supposed to have the player character or companions involved. At least, if you can change the appearance of them and what they're wearing..

 

So you pretty much have to default to showing backgrounds and everyone else rather then include the party in them..

[Karranthain]

The balance of narrations with pictures, and potential cutscenes.. Things get increasingly harder if they're supposed to have the player character or companions involved. At least, if you can change the appearance of them and what they're wearing..

 

So you pretty much have to default to showing backgrounds and everyone else rather then include the party in them..

 

I think we can expect a few cutscenes, but probably of the in-game engine variety.

Edited September 20, 2012 by Karranthain

[Karranthain]

Expanding on the idea of small narrated sequences for every (major) area, I prepared this small example (excuse my poor writing skills, but it's just for the sake of a presentation) :

 

 

You enter the ruins of Eír Glanfath, once a sprawling capital of an advanced civilization. Sharp wind howls in the remnants of great fortresses litterning the misty landscape - their size a testament of ambition, and perhaps hubris of its past inhabitants. The feeling of dread is almost palpable. You and your companions instincitvely reach for your weapons.

 

Each sequence would feature concept art of the area and just a few sentences describing its general feel, while

plays in the background. It could also be used as a vehicle for sneaking in some lore bits.

 

 

 

What do you think?

Edited September 21, 2012 by Karranthain

[HansKrSG]

I agree with the OP. Having narrated sequences makes us use our own imagination, making the result in our head much better than what a video could do, and it costs less (time and money).

[Zeer]

cinematic cutscenes or narrative, but please no game engine cutscenes/videos

[Karranthain]

Any thoughts on the narrated sequences for regions I've described in my previous post?

[Kabraxis]

For me it's pretty simple: Narrated sequences over cutscenes IF there is a good narrator. Some good music in the background... and it is like I'm in a state of trance. The BG video in the first post of this thread. It's pretty close to perfect. I would love to see more of this.

But if the voice-actor is not as good as the writing is... he/she can really destroy the atmosphere and in that case I'd prefer a cutscene.

 

Anyway, dreams, stuff that happens in your mind should always be narrated.. that's at least how I feel. A cutscene could come in handy if something is about to be narrated that is happening in a completely different location for example.

 

 

Oh and @Karranthain: Yes, please. I'd absolutely love it. I don't need introductory cinematics for each new region... but introductory narrated sequences... I like the idea of having them in Project Eternity.

Edited September 21, 2012 by Kabraxis

[Karranthain]

For me it's pretty simple: Narrated sequences over cutscenes IF there is a good narrator. Some good music in the background... and it is like I'm in a state of trance. The BG video in the first post of this thread. It's pretty close to perfect. I would love to see more of this.

But if the voice-actor is not as good as the writing is... he/she can really destroy the atmosphere and in that case I'd prefer a cutscene.

 

Anyway, dreams, stuff that happens in your mind should always be narrated.. that's at least how I feel. A cutscene could come in handy if something is about to be narrated that is happening in a completely different location for example.

 

 

Oh and @Karranthain: Yes, please. I'd absolutely love it. I don't need introductory cinematics for each new region... but introductory narrated sequences... I like the idea of having them in Project Eternity.

 

I'd love it if they got Rodger Bumpass (Kelemvor and the Narrator in MotB) - he probably isn't that expensive too.

[Karranthain]

Any more feedback on that?

 

http://forums.obsidian.net/topic/60371-narrated-sequences-instead-of-cutscenes-lets-use-our-imagination-again/page__st__60#entry1199801

[PsychoBlonde]

I loved the narration in Mask of the Betrayer, but I'd prefer to see it coupled with stylized art/stills rather than in-game graphics, especially since they're going with an isometric perspective this time around.

 

Yes, I am on board with this idea entirely, although I didn't love the Baldur's Gate narrator. It'd be cool if, at some point, they reveal the identity of the narrator in some manner, too.

[Karranthain]

Is this : http://forums.obsidian.net/topic/60371-narrated-sequences-instead-of-cutscenes-lets-use-our-imagination-again/page__st__60#entry1199801 worth it in your opinion?

[ohmygodsquad]

I love bastion but I think having a narrator like that giving a play by play in a game the length of most RPGs would be a bit far fetched.

 

I'd much rather go the way of The Witcher with the player character narrating events over stylized painted backdrops.

[WorstUsernameEver]

I loved the narration in Mask of the Betrayer, but I'd prefer to see it coupled with stylized art/stills rather than in-game graphics, especially since they're going with an isometric perspective this time around.

 

Yes, I am on board with this idea entirely, although I didn't love the Baldur's Gate narrator. It'd be cool if, at some point, they reveal the identity of the narrator in some manner, too.

 

Without giving away spoilers, that kind of "revealing the identity of the narrator" thing was done in Mask of the Betrayer and, if I recall correctly by what I read (haven't had the chance to play it yet ) in Icewind Dale.

[Karranthain]

Without giving away spoilers, that kind of "revealing the identity of the narrator" thing was done in Mask of the Betrayer and, if I recall correctly by what I read (haven't had the chance to play it yet ) in Icewind Dale.

 

I thought was a nice touch, yeah.

[Karranthain]

And how about a small narrated sequence (accompanied by a concept art) describing major characters you encounter?

[Shardbearer]

I'm honestly of the persuasion that everything should happen in game. Or with small narrations, but they're not necessary.