Following on from our discussion of great video game music here on VGTribune.com is another key aspect of current and past generations of games; the intro sequence. Intro sequences are a vital point of first contact between players and the game and can often also be a key part of the media hype before release as well. In the days of 8 and 16-bit consoles, many games simply didn’t have intro sequences and those that did exist often simply consisted of still art and text to flesh out a basic storyline. As technology has moved apace and greater storytelling capabilities have been unlocked, the intro sequence has become a particular focus for games developers in creating the right impression of a game from the off and also in marketing the game, especially if the sequence will play a key part in the media hype preceding release. How many games have teaser trailers based on the intro sequence released at the likes of E3 to whet gamer’s appetites?
A great intro sequence sucks the audience in early into the game experience, while an average or unimaginative effort is often a missed opportunity that puts greater pressure on the first hour or so of gameplay (which we are increasingly led to believe forms the player’s opinion of the game, much like a job interview). This selection of videos will show the evolution of intro sequences over several genrations of hardware, while also highlighting how in the games industry today, the sheer breadth of different devices available to developers to make an explosive first impression on the audience.
The original Shining Force on Mega Drive (1992, Genesis) was a truly outstanding game and if you have never heard of it, it would definitely be worth a look. For our purposes, however, this game was a good yardstick of what 16-bit intro sequences tended to be like. This sequence set the scene and fleshed out a background story that was reasonably rich in it’s day. However, it was also very unimaginative and many players simply skipped intro sequences like this until the next generation of hardware brought more interesting fare.
Super Metroid (1994, SNES) was definitely at the upper end of what could be expected in terms of 16-bit intro sequences. This sequence was actually very sophisticated at the time and featured a strong story element, as well as in-game footage from the original game. SM was a very complete and rounded title all round, so the quality of its intro sequence should come as no surprise. However, this was certainly the upper end of the spectrum in 16-bit console gaming.
The Metal Gear Solid series can be pointed to as a pinnacle of gaming on so many levels, but a particular strength has always been the filmic aspects of the games storyline and cutscenes. MGS III (2004) saw the most ambitious intro sequence to date and one that undoubtedly stirred the imaginations of many players. The Snake Eater theme (ably pperformed by Cythia Harrell) is clearly a throwback to Bond movies in the 1960s, but accomplishes this nod with visual and aural verve. In many ways, MGS represents gaming that is very close in its audio-visual and storytelling devices to the film industry. This is probably a mixed blessing; it gleans the familiarity of of the movies, but this is simlialrly resented by many developers and fans alike in the gaming community.
Shadow of the Colossus (2006) is one of the most atmospheric intro sequences produced in a video game to date. It evokes the game world with haunting beauty through stunning grahics and a powerful soundtrack. The intro sequence contains little dialogue and text, so much of the detail is left for the player to fill in for themselves. This sequence’s strength lies in its creation of a plausible game world and deep atmosphere that shuts out the real world while the player is immersed in the game. Indeed, the intro sequence of SOTC sets the tone for the game as a whole in being a deeply atmospheric, cinematic and involving experience for the player, without a need for scene-setting via voiceovers or text.
Warhammer 40K: Dawn of War (2004) is symptomatic of many intro sequences for war-themed games and first person shooters in particular. Its depiciton of an Ork assault on a Space Marine position is an aural and visual assault and this ensemble is a perfect example of how to construct an explosive intro sequence that will really grab players by the cojones. However, having a huge following completely outside of video games, this intro was also a key piece of marketing Dawn of War. It visualised perfectly the tabletop game upon which it was based and served to firmly centre the attention of wargamers on the video game title long before its release. To those completely uninitiated in the world of Warhammer 40K, it gave an explosive introduction to a very insular hobby-game and made the action of the game accessible and exciting.
The Fallout games produced by Black Isle and Bethesda have always had very strong intro sequences that set the scene and prepare the player for the experience of the gameplay. Fallout I and II (1997 and 1998) were reasonably similar, evoking images of nuclear winter and the apocalyptic war that spawned it. The moody voiceover impresses the player of the seriousness of the game in general and some still photos (many of real 1950s America) illustrate the fictional nuclear conflict that brought the world of Fallout into being. Fallout II added a tongue-in-cheek Vault-Tec film advising Vault dwellers on how to exit the vault, with a little surprise at the end. Fallout III (2008) both relied and paid tribute (as so many aspects of FIII did) to the original Black Isle titles. Painfully aware of the fact that many of their audience would not have played the originals, Fallout III successfully introduced the background and present circumstances of the Fallout world through its intro sequence.
So there you have it, a selection of different intro sequences, showing many different ways to introduce a game to players and create the right impression. So, what are your favourite intro sequences and why? What grabs your attention when you first play a game? We’d love to know what you think.
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I love the intro sequence for Bioshock. Even though you play through it, it creates the perfect atmosphere for the game.
As for Oblivion. You have no idea how many times I've watched that intro movie, lol. Over and over and over and over. Since Oblivion was supposed to be a 360 launch title, I was left with that trailer as the only thing close to Oblivion until it's launch later the following March, lol.