In-game cinematics

Video game concept

Uses the game engine (the same thing used to display normal gameplay) itself to run cinematic sequences rather than playing some pre-rendered FMVs or such.

games

platforms

Alternate names: in-engine cinematics
Name variations: In-game cutscenes, in-game cinematics

Turok

X360 2008-01

Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater

PS2 2005-03-04

Arx Fatalis

WIN 2002-06-28

Half-Life 2

OSX 2010-05-26

Front Mission Evolved

WIN 2010-09-16

Dead or Alive Dimensions

3DS 2011-05-20

PS3 2008-01

WIN 2014-10-06

WIN 2006-10-27

WIN 1999-10

PS3 2012-03-14

WIN 2004-08-03

This has become increasingly popular as home systems can render at about same quality real-time as you would get from pre-rendered scenes most companies would bother paying for. Has the added benefit of making the game experience more consistent.

Not to be confused with cinematics pre-rendered (partially) using the game engine.

Parent group

Cinematics

Games by year

The first In-game cinematics video game was released on December 1982.

Capcom, Ubisoft and Touchstone Studios published most of these games.

Platforms

Windows		23
Linux		8
Mac OS X		5
X360		4
PS3		4
PS2		2
Xbox One		2
PS4		2
MS-DOS		1
Atari 2600		1
Atari 400/800		1
3DS		1

Most common companies