Well, yes. video game cinematic trailers have since come miles away from where it was in the early days of the gaming industry. Long gone are the so-called “trailers” back in the day which were effectively just glorified screenshots or gameplay stills with loud music blaring in the background. Today, with the technology we currently have and the present state of the gaming scene, video game trailers are now viewed as masterpieces as one would for movie trailers.
Today’s trailers are often cinematic experiences in their own right. It features stunning visuals, outrageously-good gameplay beats, and gripping storytelling. These game trailers are showing the game in a way that we, players, cannot help but buy into whatever they are selling. They can be so good, in fact, that they can actually sell a game on their own.
In this article, we intend to look at a few reasons why we genuinely think announcement trailers or game trailers, in general, are better than ever before.
They Almost Always Involve Wonderful Graphics
Video game graphics nowadays are on an entirely new level. The degree of realism we only thought was a pipedream back in the day has now come to fruition. Back then, video game trailers are often limited by the hardware we had back then.
However, as technology has improved over the years, so too have the graphics in said trailers. Today’s trailers can feature stunning visuals that rival even the best movies. This is thanks to the use of high-resolution textures, realistic lighting, and advanced animation techniques.
That said, while most are striving to be the most realistic game to date, others focus more on providing great visuals that players won’t soon forget. Better graphics doesn’t always mean what is the most realistic. Sometimes, the right combination of art styles and unique approaches can be just as impactful.
Their Storytelling Now Rivals That Of The Movies
Old trailers of old video games were often akin to product commercials. They almost always only take about 30 seconds or less. As long as they give players a glimpse of what the game has to offer and brandish the title, it is already good. However, such an approach wouldn’t work in today’s gaming landscape.
Today, players wouldn’t settle for anything else than a high-budget trailer to buy into a specific game. This forced video game trailers to be more like mini-movies, featuring gripping stories and memorable characters. Again, they now resemble movie trailers more than anything else. Take, for example, the trailers for Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain and Dead Island.
This is thanks to the use of professional writers and directors who are skilled at crafting compelling narratives. As a result, today’s trailers can actually make you want to play the game, even if you’re not a gamer.
They Are Now More Impactful Than Ever
Finally, cinematic trailers are getting better because they are more impactful. In the past, video game trailers were often just a way to show off the game’s graphics. But today’s trailers are more than that. They are designed to evoke an emotional response from the viewer. Some trailers are just so good that it resonates with everything a player need. And to some, that is just reason enough to fully buy into the game despite how early in the development it may be.
This is thanks to the use of music, sound effects, and cinematography that are designed to create a sense of awe, excitement, or suspense. As a result, today’s trailers can actually make you feel something, which is more than can be said for most commercials.
Conclusion
Cinematic trailers for video games are now arguably at their peak. As a matter of fact, we believe it will continue to get better along with the introduction of fancier hardware. Add to that the advancement of technology over the next few years and decades. However, it is worth pointing out that the more impressive a trailer is, the more it can fool players into purchasing something that isn’t ultimately worth it.
At the end of the day, cinematic trailers for video games are only meant to showcase what a specific game has to offer. It should only be a guiding factor to help you determine whether or not the game is worth your money or not. As impressive as they may be, it is always of your best concern to be wary of everything you see in said trailers. It’s okay to buy into the hype, but try your hardest to contain it until you have learned enough.
