[quadinhonic_II]

Can a cutscene be too long? How long should a cutscene should last at the most? I'm writting a cutscene and I have a load of info to put in the cutscene, but I dont want to make it too long.

[RandomTiger]

Technically a cutscene can be as long as you want. Havent tried but my code should be able to play a full length movie.

Creatively I woould make a cutscene as long as it needs to be to get everything across, depends on what you are trying to achieve with your clip.

But I imagine the real world factor is what you have to worry about, it needs to be small enough for you to host it somewhere and for people to download it.

Keep an eye on this thread for peoples download speeds:

http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php/topic,9751.0.html

[vyper]

I wouldn't have a cutscene over 3 minutes - otherwise you're risking hefty downloads.

[Stunaep]

well, all that matters is the size. You may want to create a low-quality version (interlacing, lower bps, smalller size etc.) for those with bad connections, but for those with cable/DSL, well, over 100 megs packed makes me think twice before downloading.

[Thor]

I highly recommend cutscenes, or intro/outro or teaser movies be under 10min.  Thats the insanely long maximum.  I finished Metal Gear Solid 2 (SWEET!!!!  I can't wait for the port:D )  and the final movie was 50 minutes total running length (the last two movies actually, there was about 5 minutes of game between.).  That was just way to long.  But somehow it was still a good movie, but I don't want to ever see one that size on here.

[penguin]

Originally posted by Thor
... the final movie was 50 minutes total running length (the last two movies actually, there was about 5 minutes of game between.)...

50 minutes?  Good God, where did you get it? Blockbuster?

[Cannikin]

The FS2 cutscenes were about 100-200MB each just for a reference.

[vyper]

Originally posted by Cannikin
The FS2 cutscenes were about 100-200MB each just for a reference.

Yeh, but we got DivX :wink:

I... think....

[RandomTiger]

Any movie that you have the codec for will work with my movie code. Anythign that plays in media player will work.

Just remember when you release your stuff to provide a link to the codec you used just incase the home user doesnt have it.

In short Divx will work if the user has it installed.
Also the movie playing code isnt officially out yet but I imagine it will be soon. Contact me if you need an exe now.

[Petrarch of the VBB]

Some of us still use 56k modems, you know! Why can no-one realise this! I am poor, impoverished even, I cannot afford Broadband!

[aldo_14]

Unless your cutscene is absolutely-frigging-unbelievably good, odds are it'll be skipped after less than a minute. ... to be honest, I think cutscenes need to be done to nigh professional quiality to be worthwhile - not just the in game models flying around with an overlaid track, but stuff like interior work, or animated faces, or FS1-into stylee cockpit / pilot work.

[quadinhonic_II]

This cutscene will be the core part of the my camp. It will explain the Shivans and anceints as I see it. It will hopefully explain all the Questions we have about the Fs universe. (again as I see it)

[RandomTiger]

Originally posted by Petrarch of th VBB
Some of us still use 56k modems, you know! Why can no-one realise this! I am poor, impoverished even, I cannot afford Broadband!

I imagine they will be a seperate download making them optional.
Or perhaps if we managed to get the attention of a games magazine with everything at once (new code features, campaigns etc) we could get it on a cover disc. Unlikely but stranger things have happened.

[Thor]

Yup, 50 minutes.  And it still left enough loose ends for a sequel.  Heck, you'd have a full length movie, if not two, if you strung all of the cutscenes in that game together.  That was the biggest flaw in mmy opion, they should of had more playin.