# FMV cutscene

> video game cutscene that uses full motion video, as opposed to in-engine rendering or other techniques

**Wikidata**: [Q124484878](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q124484878)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinematic_cutscene)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/fmv-cutscene

## Summary
An FMV cutscene is a video game narrative sequence that uses full motion video (FMV), which consists of pre-recorded video files. This technique is used as an alternative to rendering scenes in real-time with the game's graphics engine. These cutscenes can be either live-action footage or pre-rendered computer-generated imagery (CGI).

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** An FMV cutscene is a subclass of both "cutscene" and "full motion video."
- **Function:** It is a video game narration technique used to advance the story.
- **Technology:** It relies on playing back pre-recorded video files rather than rendering graphics in real-time.
- **Alternative Names:** It is also known as a full motion video cutscene, cinematic, cinematic cutscene, pre-rendered cutscene, CGI cutscene, or live-action cutscene.
- **Context:** The entity is a facet of video games.
- **Source Media:** The video files are often captured using motion cameras in a studio.
- **Distinction:** Its primary defining feature is its opposition to in-engine rendering for cutscenes.

## FAQs
### Q: What's the difference between an FMV cutscene and an in-engine cutscene?
A: An FMV cutscene is a pre-recorded video file, like a short movie, that is played during the game. An in-engine cutscene is rendered in real-time using the game's own graphics and assets, similar to the actual gameplay.

### Q: Are CGI cutscenes a type of FMV cutscene?
A: Yes, "CGI cutscene" is a common alias for an FMV cutscene. It specifically refers to cutscenes that are pre-rendered using computer-generated imagery, as opposed to those filmed with live-action actors.

### Q: What does FMV stand for?
A: FMV stands for "full motion video." In the context of video games, it refers to the use of pre-recorded video files to tell a story or present information.

## Why It Matters
The FMV cutscene represents a significant approach to cinematic storytelling in video games. Its primary importance lies in its ability to deliver a level of visual fidelity and production value that often surpasses what is possible with real-time, in-engine graphics, especially on less powerful hardware. By using pre-recorded video, developers can incorporate high-quality CGI or live-action footage with real actors, creating a more movie-like, immersive narrative experience.

This technique allows for complex visual storytelling that is not constrained by the limitations of the game's engine. While this can sometimes create a jarring visual shift between the cutscene and the gameplay, it provides a powerful tool for developers to convey key plot points, develop characters, and set a specific artistic tone. The FMV cutscene is a solution to the problem of balancing cinematic ambition with the technical constraints of real-time rendering in interactive entertainment.

## Notable For
- **High Visual Fidelity:** Utilizes pre-recorded video to achieve a cinematic quality that is independent of and often superior to the game's real-time rendering capabilities.
- **Use of Diverse Media:** Can be produced as either pre-rendered computer-generated imagery (CGI) or as live-action footage filmed with actors and sets.
- **Narrative Delivery:** Serves as a distinct narrative technique for delivering story, separate from interactive gameplay.
- **Technological Distinction:** Defined specifically by its use of pre-recorded video files, in contrast to cutscenes rendered by the game's engine.

## Body
### ### Definition and Characteristics
An FMV cutscene is a specific type of cutscene within a video game that employs full motion video (FMV). This means the sequence is not generated by the game's graphics engine in real-time. Instead, it is a pre-recorded video file that is played back at a designated point in the game.

The source for this video can vary:
*   **Live-Action:** Filmed using real actors, sets, and motion cameras in a studio.
*   **Pre-rendered CGI:** A computer-animated sequence created and rendered in advance, not in real-time.

The core characteristic is that its visual quality is decoupled from the game engine's real-time capabilities.

### ### Classification and Relationships
- **Parent Class:** full motion video (FMV)
- **Subclass Of:** cutscene, full motion video
- **Facet Of:** video game

An FMV cutscene is a specific implementation of the broader "full motion video" technique and a specific type of "cutscene." It exists entirely within the context of video games as a storytelling tool.

### ### Terminology
The term "FMV cutscene" is one of several aliases used to describe this concept. The choice of term often depends on the specific type of video used.
- **Cinematic / Cinematic Cutscene:** A general term emphasizing the movie-like quality.
- **Pre-rendered Cutscene:** A technical term highlighting that the graphics were rendered in advance.
- **CGI Cutscene:** Specifically refers to pre-rendered cutscenes made with computer-generated imagery.
- **Live-action Cutscene:** Specifically refers to cutscenes filmed with real actors.