Thread: SE should make a new pre-rendered FMV cinematic for Version 2.0.

Ever since FFVII, gorgeously rendered FMVs have been one of the defining staples of the FINAL FANTASY franchise. Since the days of the PS1, each new game in the series has brought with it a multitude of breathtaking cinematics and beautiful, pre-rendered cutscenes using the latest in CGI technology. These dazzling videos have always helped to draw players into the narrative of the game and its world, not to mention worked wonders as unparallelled promotional material to catch the eye of potential customers...

FFXIV has its share of impressive cutscenes using the in-game engine, but sadly we have been graced with only one pre-rendered FMV. I know FFXIV is an MMORPG, but why should that mean the game be limited to just one of these amazing videos? All of the offline FF games have multiple pre-rendered FMVs, and I see no reason why FFXIV, if it is to be branded with a number and stand as part of the main series, should not as well.

SE's first MMO, FFXI, only ever had a single solitary FMV, and that was always something that made me just a little sad whenever I thought about it. I don't want that same thing to happen to FFXIV. I want FFXIV to rise above FFXI and be a bigger, better, and bolder experience. I want to see FFXIV soar to magnificent heights, the likes of which FFXI could only dream of. And a new pre-rendered FMV is one of the things that will help get us there.

At the very least SE should do what Blizzard does with WoW, and give us one new pre-rendered FMV for each expansion pack that comes out, as well as a special one specifically for Version 2.0.

After all, once FFXIV relaunches with Version 2.0, SE is going to need some powerful imagery to make people forget the original launch and help pull in new sales. A new FMV is just what Version 2.0 is going to need to help cement in the mind's of customers that FFXIV has been reborn, that it has been given new life.

Besides, the old FMV puts the spotlight on Guildleves, which are officially no longer the central focus of the game. Version 2.0 needs a new FMV that really emphasizes what makes FFXIV a unique and exciting experience. Version 2.0 needs to provide a new window into Eorzea for the whole community -- not just the FFXIV community, but the entire gaming community at large.

Version 2.0 needs to have a fresh and exciting new face that can wash away the bad taste that the original launch left in the mouth of the general public. Version 2.0 needs to have something that critics can point to and say, "Look at that! Isn't that amazing? The game really does look different now! It's not the same as it was at launch! Maybe I should give it a second chance after all..."

And a new, pre-rendered FMV that prominently displays all the new features and improved gameplay of Version 2.0 will be able to do just that.

Please do this, SE. The game needs it too much not to.

FFXI didn't have a pre-rendered FMV for the ending (in fact, FFXI didn't even have an ending). The only pre-rendered video that FFXI ever had was this one:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTWiqKHqJ5g

Also, the trailers SE that made for each of FFXI's expansion packs were all rendered using the in-game graphics. They were not pre-rendered like that opening cinematic I just linked.

No offense, but perhaps you should check your facts first next time?

Fact is its already comming. Shouldn't you have checked that fact beforw jumping other for fact checking.

http://wdl.square-enix.com/ffxiv/dow...Roadmap_EN.pdf

The roadmap only says "2012 E3: New Trailer." It does not say that this trailer will be a pre-rendered FMV. That's the whole point of this topic: to say that Version 2.0 needs a new pre-rendered FMV, not something that was rendered using the in-game graphics.

Pretty sure is says on the road map to 2.0 an FMV will be shown at E3 this summer.

Originally Posted by Murugan

I would like a new intro also, but I would rather the trailer they show at E3 to be in-game footage that impresses. That is what this game needs more to get positive publicity. A new pre-rendered scene will not help in that regard one bit.

Well actually, they both have the potential to be impressive and generate publicity, but a pre-rendered cinematic more so than a video that utilizes the in-game engine. There's a reason Blizzard makes a new cinematic for every expansion pack they release for WoW. Pre-rendered footage just flat out looks more impressive than in-game footage, and as such it works better for promotional purposes.

No one's saying that SE shouldn't release any info about new gameplay mechanics, because obviously they should. But they should make a new pre-rendered FMV as well, so that critics and the general public have some kind of amazing visual imagery to associate with all the cool new changes to the gameplay.

After all, people generally don't buy anything based on intellectual facts or statistics, they buy based on emotion, and then justify with logic afterwards. Information about gameplay changes and improvements provides the logic side of things, but not the emotion. To get new customers interested in the product and convince them to buy, the product needs to evoke an emotional response in the consumer. For video games, that means eye candy.

Originally Posted by Murugan

Not really, WoW is generating hype for an already popular game. FFXIV has to convince people that the game has improved.

Some pre-rendered cutscene does not do that.

Yes, SE needs to convince people that the game has improved, but they also need to generate hype as well. A pre-rendered cinematic generates hype better than a trailer with in-game graphics.

Originally Posted by Rau

Should be a mix of both. CGI for lore/story, and then flash to ingame battles, animation, scenery, etc.

For the E3 trailer, sure. But I'm talking about more than just what SE is going to show at E3. I'm talking about creating a new opening cutscene, not just a trailer. Remember, during the original launch SE also showed this trailer using in-game footage:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNFXMbrn1o8

So a promotional trailer that uses in-game graphics is certainly something that is needed, it should not be considered a substitute or replacement for a totally new opening movie with pre-rendered CGI.