Why Isn't Cinematic Pausing a Game Design Standard?

[Panacea]

Some games have it, most don't. 30 years ago you could argue that the technology wasn't there. 20 years ago however, is a different story.

When they released Diablo II (for the 1st time ever) it came with a Cinematics Disc. We inserted that CD into the CD Rom when prompted and it would play the movie cinematic. It could not be paused, there was no integrated movie player. But integrated movie players did exist. The Sims 2 had one, and you could listen to your own music files coming out of your sims' radios.

Flash forward to now, when the technology is so totally there. Still not an industry standard. Why?

To this day I continue to keep a minimum safe distance from my mouse and keyboard during cinema scenes for fear of accidentally skipping.

To this day I still have to hold my bladder with gritted teeth as I try to enjoy the amazingly rendered scenes full of wonders we once could only pixellate about, because I didn't know I was about to stumble into plot.

It's 2024. f I can't have my flying car, then at least grant me this.

[Azza ☠]

True...

There's always the skip option, but never a pause for the cinematics. Which is fine, unless you have been holding it without noticing until you finally defeated a boss, then have to go bathroom but holding it longer just to watch the end scene.

It would be a nice option for gaming scenes.

[Phénomènes Mystiques]

Originally posted by PanX:

Why Isn't Cinematic Pausing a Game Design Standard?

This cinematic pausing is seemingly the one thing that R* Games does best.

[Heitor Villa-Lobos]

Thanks OP!

Amazing discussion!

I hope Steam Off-Topic becomes more like this and less bots spamming US Pol.

[The Tunnel Ratencio]

Originally posted by The Incredible Magical Cupcake:

Originally posted by PanX:

Why Isn't Cinematic Pausing a Game Design Standard?

This cinematic pausing is seemingly the one thing that R* Games does best. :csd2smile:

One of the many reasons i love red dead redemption 2.

But in general is weird to have the pause option, hell, some games not even let you skip them, which can be tiresome in new playthroughs.

[Fajita Jim]

Originally posted by PanX:

Some games have it, most don't. 30 years ago you could argue that the technology wasn't there. 20 years ago however, is a different story.

When they released Diablo II (for the 1st time ever) it came with a Cinematics Disc. We inserted that CD into the CD Rom when prompted and it would play the movie cinematic. It could not be paused, there was no integrated movie player. But integrated movie players did exist. The Sims 2 had one, and you could listen to your own music files coming out of your sims' radios.

Flash forward to now, when the technology is so totally there. Still not an industry standard. Why?

To this day I continue to keep a minimum safe distance from my mouse and keyboard during cinema scenes for fear of accidentally skipping.

To this day I still have to hold my bladder with gritted teeth as I try to enjoy the amazingly rendered scenes full of wonders we once could only pixellate about, because I didn't know I was about to stumble into plot.

It's 2024. f I can't have my flying car, then at least grant me this.

You can look up any particular cinematic you missed on YouTube. I promise it's there.

[Heitor Villa-Lobos]

Originally posted by Fajita Jim:

You can look up any particular cinematic you missed on YouTube. I promise it's there.

I'm pretty sure he knows that.

[Panacea]

Originally posted by Heitor Villa-Lobos:

Originally posted by Fajita Jim:

You can look up any particular cinematic you missed on YouTube. I promise it's there.

I'm pretty sure he knows that.

I do, and while it's great to be able to do that, there is something to be said for the energy of the moment, as pointed out by this person;

Originally posted by Azza ☠:

True...

There's always the skip option, but never a pause for the cinematics. Which is fine, unless you have been holding it without noticing until you finally defeated a boss, then have to go bathroom but holding it longer just to watch the end scene.

It would be a nice option for gaming scenes.

Obviously there are simple solutions for the average gamer, but that's not the point. My question is, why is such a common convenience so absent in gaming? It seems strange.

[Dracoco OwO]

Pretty sure Final Fantasy X did have it, but i can't confirm.

[Dadpool]

I wonder if Steam could make a feature of pausing, something that stops the process .exe for as long as needed.

[Goldias]

Probably because they don't actually care about your needs.

[swillfly]

Probably for the same reason why there are checkpoints/no manual saves in modern PC games: DURRRR

[Heitor Villa-Lobos]

Originally posted by swillfly:

Probably for the same reason why there are checkpoints/no manual saves in modern PC games: DURRRR

Yes, people have been getting dumber and lazier, and yeah, acommodating for the majority impacts all, making everyone softer and with shorter attentiom spans.

There should, however, still be Advanced Options and even the source code available.

We should give the ability to think and find shortcuts and keychords, not just a braindead experience of everything.

[Panacea]

Originally posted by Dracoco OwO:

Pretty sure Final Fantasy X did have it, but i can't confirm.

Neither can I, haven't played it in 15 years. I guess that's as good a reason as any to go play it again for the umpteenth time. ;)

[talemore]

1902 we had color tv

[Panacea]

Originally posted by talemore:

1902 we had color tv

We did not. What's your point?