[Rampage]

I know this has probably been expressed by other members, but here it is.

FRED2 should have another mission mode.  This mode when specified will allow a designated mission to become a cutscene.  Using this technique, a cutscene can be integrated into the campaign itself as a mission.  Like missions, the cutscene will be operated by SEXPs.  (So when a mission is completed, a cutscene will be loaded by the campaign as a mission.  With the changes in the cutscene's SEXP, the engine will count it as a mission and will cause it to be completed when a certain SEXP returns true.)  Basically the cutscene will operate as a red-alert mission.

Several mission modes will be disabled when this cutscene mode is activated.  For example, a cutscene mission created in FRED2 will have no briefing and debriefing modes.  Several SEXPs (not listed) will be disabled along with it.  The player's ship will render externally.  Plus, all the contents of these cutscenes will be mostly waypoints and SEXPs.

Several SEXPs should be added to make these cutscene missions become a reality:

1. camera-focus
    Focuses a camera at a designated ship.
    -
    -
    - (Camera Position: Top/Bottom/Chase/Face)
    - (Optional Time Constant: If the camera is focused elsewhere, it will move in respect to the time constant to the target specified by this SEXP.  If not specified, camera will focus instantaneously.)

2. camera-zoom
    Zooms on a ship.
    -
    -
    - (Optional Time Constant: Moves the camera in respect to the time constant to the target specified by this SEXP.  If not specified, camera will zoom to target instantaneously.)

3. camera-span
    Causes a camera to focus on another ship (preferrably at a great distance).  The camera will move through space rapidly to face the other ship.
    -
    - (Top/Bottom/Chase/Face)

Any more SEXPs please post them here.

[Petrarch of the VBB]

I suggested this ages ago, but was largely ignored.

[TrashMan]

*BUMP!* - like I said... I hate to have to save all the goos threads...

[Goober5000]

This has already been partially implemented.  There are now mission flags to ignore briefing and debriefing.  There are sexps to disable the HUD and sexps to make things move around and point at stuff.  Basically all we need is an ai-face sexp that makes things change orientation gradually.

[karajorma]

Disable the HUD, Engines, Weapons and Comm systems of Alpha 1 and then use the new SEXP's to move alpha to where ever the action is taking place. As long as alpha is invulnerable and protected there won't be much of a difference from what has been suggested so far.
 
 Secondly there was a method using FRAPS which showed how to make cutscenes using the game engine. That would have a similar effect to what you propose here too.

[Sesquipedalian]

Originally posted by Goober5000
... Basically all we need is an ai-face sexp that makes things change orientation gradually.

Not for this purpose we don't.    All one would need would be to use a repeated event and a variable that increases with each repetition.  Easy as pie.