Game Trailers vs. Actual Games: Why the Discrepancy?
The Disconnect Between Game Trailers and Final Products
Have you ever experienced intense excitement while watching a new video game trailer, feeling compelled to jump up and celebrate? The visual fidelity often impresses, and impactful moments, like spectacular explosions, can create a sense of immersion.
However, in recent years, a degree of skepticism has grown regarding game trailers. A common sentiment is that the final game often fails to live up to the promises showcased in promotional materials.
Why the Gap Exists
The question arises: why do developers present a game in such a polished state for a brief period, only for the full release to feel underwhelming? Several factors contribute to this discrepancy.
- Early Footage: Trailers frequently feature gameplay captured very early in development.
- Optimized Scenes: Specific scenes are meticulously crafted and optimized for visual impact.
- Marketing Focus: The primary goal of a trailer is to generate hype and interest, prioritizing spectacle over complete representation.
- Hardware Limitations: Demonstrations may run on high-end PCs that exceed the capabilities of typical gaming hardware.
It's important to understand that trailers are, fundamentally, marketing tools. They aim to present the game in its most favorable light, often highlighting potential rather than current reality.
The Role of Technical Tricks
Developers employ various techniques to enhance the visual appeal of trailers. These can include:
- Post-Processing Effects: Filters and effects are added in post-production to improve colors, lighting, and overall image quality.
- Resolution Scaling: Trailers may be rendered at a higher resolution than the final game.
- Selective Detail: Areas of the screen that are likely to be viewed by players are given higher levels of detail.
These techniques aren't necessarily deceptive, but they can create a misleading impression of the game's overall visual fidelity. Optimization is a key factor; what looks stunning in a controlled trailer environment may not be achievable during regular gameplay.
Ultimately, managing expectations is crucial. While trailers are exciting, it’s wise to approach them as curated showcases of a game’s potential, rather than definitive representations of the final product.
Understanding Game Trailers: In-Game, In-Engine, and CGI
The debut of the Killzone 2 trailer at E3 in 2005 presented visuals previously unseen in the gaming world. The fluidity of the animations and the detail of the character models gave the impression of a scene lifted directly from a computer-generated film.
This trailer served as a promotional tool, showcasing the enhanced graphical capabilities of the PlayStation 3. It quickly gained widespread attention, being shared across gaming news platforms and hailed as a pivotal moment for the industry.
However, scrutiny soon followed. As genuine in-game screenshots surfaced in the subsequent months, questions arose regarding the accuracy of the E3 trailer’s representation of the final product.
It was revealed that Guerrilla, the game’s developer, employed a technique called “in-engine rendering.” This allowed for enhancements like additional lighting and new animations to refine the trailer’s visuals.
Different Approaches to Trailer Creation
Game developers utilize several methods when crafting trailers to promote their titles.
Full CGI Trailers: These, such as the Overwatch trailer, are created entirely outside of the game engine. They often feature cinematic storytelling, with characters engaged in battles or extensive dialogue.
While sometimes debated within the gaming community, CGI trailers are generally accepted as a necessary component of a game’s marketing campaign.
In-Engine Trailers: Trailers like the original Killzone 2 reveal, or the Total War: Warhammer trailer, fall into this category.
These are similar to pre-rendered CGI trailers, but utilize the game’s engine to animate characters and create static cutscenes. They are also frequently referred to as “pre-rendered” trailers.
The Advantages of In-Engine Rendering
Creating trailers using the game engine allows for precise control over resource allocation.
Artists can prioritize graphical fidelity for specific elements, such as a character’s face, while strategically blurring the background.
Processing power can be directed towards animations rather than complex artificial intelligence, resulting in a visually polished presentation.
Furthermore, custom animations and cinematic effects can be added, even if they exceed the capabilities of typical gaming hardware.
This level of control is the reason why in-engine trailers often appear so flawless.
What Defines an "In-Game" Trailer?
“In-game” trailers, conversely, are captured within the actual game environment.
This suggests a “what you see is what you get” demonstration, showcasing genuine gameplay footage.
When a company chooses to release in-game footage, the process begins with identifying the most compelling segment of the game to highlight.
Once a route is planned and choreographed, a developer will navigate the chosen section on a development PC, recording their actions as they progress through the map.
The Nuances of "In-Game" Footage in Video Game Marketing
The term "in-game" is frequently used in video game trailers and promotional materials. However, its meaning isn't always straightforward as it appears.
While seemingly direct, footage labeled as "in-game" can be subject to manipulation. Developers can enhance the visual quality of trailers by adjusting settings like exposure.
How Developers Enhance "In-Game" Footage
These adjustments can result in footage that doesn't accurately reflect the experience available to players. Sometimes, the showcased visuals represent an aspirational vision.
This vision is often what the developers intended the final game to be, given unlimited resources and development time. A prime example is The Division, initially presented in 2013 by Ubisoft.
The original 2013 trailer displayed a graphically detailed and immersive world. However, beta testers in 2016 reported a significant discrepancy between the trailer and the actual gameplay experience.
Related: PS4 vs Xbox One vs Wii U: Which One is Right For You?
The Reality of Game Development
It’s easy to assume developers are intentionally misleading players. However, it could also be a consequence of the constraints inherent in game development.
Developers often have ambitious ideas that must be scaled back due to hardware limitations and budgetary restrictions. This can lead to downgrading graphics or gameplay features to ensure stability.
Currently, legal regulations regarding the use of the "in-game footage" label are ambiguous. Even pre-rendered cutscenes, technically part of the game, can be classified as "gameplay".
The Focus on Trailer Polish
Developers may dedicate significant effort to perfecting a single section of the game for trailer purposes. This focus can detract from optimizing the overall performance and experience of the title.
Without a governing body to enforce clear advertising standards, the issue of misleading "in-game" footage is likely to persist. More definitive limitations are needed to clarify what developers can legitimately label as "in-game" versus "in-engine".
Image Credits: Sony Computer Entertainment America, Ubisoft 1, 2