Full-motion video (FMV), once a novelty in the gaming world, has evolved into a powerful tool for game designers to tell captivating stories. In the 1980s and '90s, FMV was a groundbreaking technique, offering a unique way to immerse players in pre-recorded video narratives. Today, it's making a comeback, and in a big way!
FMV allows developers to bring live-action, CGI, hand-drawn animation, and even green screen techniques into the gaming realm. It's an ambitious approach, especially when compared to the typical use of sprites or 3D models. The result? A meta-experience that blurs the lines between the digital and tangible worlds.
But here's where it gets controversial... In most visual art forms, live-action is the obvious choice. After all, it portrays our physical world. However, in video games, achieving verisimilitude is a daunting task. Creating lifelike graphics and performances is an expensive endeavor, as seen in recent games like Death Stranding 2. So, why are developers turning to FMV again?
With improved technological capabilities, the inclusion of the material realm in games feels like a bold statement. It's a reminder that, despite the digital nature of gaming, we still crave a connection to our tangible reality. Every day, we witness our physical world, and when it's incorporated into games, it creates a unique, meta-narrative experience.
When done right, photorealism in interactive art forms can deeply engage players, drawing them into the narrative. However, the uncanny valley effect is a real concern. As the visual gap between the real and virtual worlds narrows, the artificiality of the latter becomes more apparent. It's a delicate balance, but when achieved, it adds an extra layer of immersion.
Some recent games have mastered this technique, creating aesthetically distinct and thematically resonant experiences. Take the controversial horror game, Horses, for example. In a world of pixels, seeing flesh and blood on-screen can be unnerving, especially after suspending disbelief in the digital realm. Immortality, a full-fledged FMV game, takes this a step further by bringing the player into the story as a character named Marissa Marcel. The live-action FMV footage adds an intimate and alarming effect, making the player feel directly involved.
Inscryption also utilizes brief FMV sequences to tell a metafictional story. The game starts as a deck-builder but quickly transforms into a narrative where sentient beings within the game try to upload Inscryption to the web. The developers even took it a step further by turning it into an ARG, leaving fans with a chilling epilogue suggesting that the game we play is the cursed copy meant to be eradicated.
But it's not all about horror and suspense. FMV can also evoke cherished, sentimental feelings. In 1000xRESIST, chapter 7 features a communion where Iris, the ALLMOTHER, shares memories with her sisters, clones assigned to specific tasks. These memories are presented as video recordings of Hong Kong, a place that was once a home. The game's backstory is intertwined with the real-world Hong Kong protests of 2019-2020, adding a layer of historical significance.
As players, we become watchers, inheriting the personal histories of Iris and her family. The use of real-life footage, shot in 2017 by the game's developers, makes this theme of remembrance tangible. It's a powerful way to connect multiple generations of experience, from the computer-generated characters to the real people observing them.
So, is FMV just an aesthetic antique from gaming's past, or is it a technique with untapped potential? These independent developers are proving that FMV can be a powerful tool to engage players with their actual existence in a way no other art form can. It's a bold and ambitious approach, and we can't wait to see what else they have in store!
What do you think? Do you find FMV an intriguing addition to games, or do you prefer the traditional approaches? Let's discuss in the comments!
