FMV (Full Motion Video) games are a genre of video games that use pre-recorded video scenes with real actors or computer graphics. These video scenes are integrated into the gameplay, creating the illusion of active participation in a film or interactive story.
FMV games originated in the 1980s, when the development of technology allowed the use of video recordings in video games. An early example of such games was "Dragon's Lair", which used laser discs to play animation. The player had to press the buttons in time to continue the story, and incorrect actions led to a loss.
The main characteristic of FMV games is the emphasis on video and history, not traditional gameplay. The player often interacts with the game through the choice of actions or lines in the dialogues, which affects the development of the plot and the finale of the game. One of the defining moments for this genre was the release of games on CD-ROM (disc) media in the 1990s, which made it possible to use more voluminous and high-quality video materials.
The popularity of FMV games reached its peak in the mid-1990s, when projects such as "Phantasmagoria" and "Night Trap" appeared. However, due to the limitations of technology at the time, video quality was often poor and gameplay limited, leading to criticism and the gradual decline of the genre.
Despite this, modern games sometimes use FMV elements. Modern technologies allow you to create high-quality videos and integrate them into gameplay more organically. A resurgence of interest in the genre has come from indie games experimenting with new forms of story presentation and interactivity.
FMV games remain an interesting example of the evolution of video games and their desire for interactive cinema. They demonstrate how technological capabilities can influence the way stories are told and the player's experience.
It must be understood that the FMV game will not count as conditional The Witcher 3 where we see inserts of dialogues and other scenes. Full Motion Video is about a completely built game based on video (depending on the selected action option).
Interactive content and Full Motion Video games
Netflix has several interactive series where the viewer can make choices that affect the development of the plot. The most famous example is "Black Mirror: Bandersnatch".
Black Mirror: Bandersnatch
Black Mirror: Bandersnatch is an interactive film released in 2018 as part of the "Black Mirror" series. Viewers can make choices at different stages of the film, leading to different storylines and endings. This allows you to create a personalized browsing experience that resembles gameplay in FMV games.
Other examples of interactive projects on Netflix:
"You vs. Wild" <TAG1> An interactive series featuring Bear Grylls where viewers choose what decisions they should make in different survival situations.
"Minecraft: Story Mode" <TAG1> An interactive video game adaptation by Telltale Games where viewers can make choices that affect the plot.
"Carmen Sandiego: To Steal or Not to Steal" <TAG1> Interactive cartoon where viewers help Carmen Sandiego to perform various missions, making choices on her way.
These Netflix interactive projects resemble FMV games in their format, where videos are integrated with viewers' choices, which affects the development of the plot. But how does interactive content differ from FMV games? There are actually several fundamental differences.
Differences between FVM games and interactive content
FMV games usually run on game consoles or computers as separate games. The player interacts with the game through a controller or keyboard and mouse, performing actions that affect the plot of the game world. FMV games have more advanced gameplay elements such as puzzles, exploration, battle scenes, and other forms of interaction. The player often controls the character's movements and interacts with the game world. FMVs use video with real actors or computer graphics, but also include interactive elements that may require more complex technical implementation and development.
The games are aimed at gamers who are looking for an interactive experience with a greater degree of interaction and immersion in the game world (high level imersia).
Netflix Interactive Series played through a streaming service on any Netflix-enabled device. Viewers make choices using a remote control, touch screen, or other input means. The content focuses mainly on the choice of plot directions. The viewer's choices affect the story's development, but the interaction is limited to choosing from the options provided.
Are produced as regular videos with additional interactive capabilities that allow viewers to make choices. Netflix uses technology that allows seamless switching between different video scenes based on viewer choice.
Series and movies (albeit interactive) are intended for a wide audience of the streaming service, including those who do not usually play games. They offer a more passive experience with the ability to make choices that affect the plot.
Examples of modern FMV games
The Bunker (ґеймплей)
"Her Story" (2015) <TAG1> An interactive detective game where the player watches videos of interrogations of a woman accused of the disappearance of her husband. The game requires keyword searches in a video database to create a complete picture of events.
"Late Shift" (2016) <TAG1> Crime thriller, where the player influences the plot through the choice of dialogue and actions of the main character, who finds himself involved in a robbery. The game has several different endings, depending on the player's decisions.
"The Bunker" (2016) <TAG1> Psychological horror, where the player controls a character living in an underground bunker after a nuclear apocalypse. The game uses real-life shooting with actors and provides the opportunity to interact with the environment.
"Telling Lies" (2019) <TAG1> Spiritual heir to "Her Story", where the player views the conversation recordings of several characters to reveal a secret. The game offers a non-linear plot and requires analysis of video recordings to understand the connections between events.
"Erica" (2019) <TAG1> An interactive thriller that uses real-time technology to integrate video and gameplay. The player influences the plot through the choice of actions and dialogues, revealing the secrets of the main character's past.
Old School Cult FMV Games
Phantasmagoria (ґеймплей)
Dragon's Lair (1983) <TAG1> One of the first FMV games created by Don Bluth. She used animation and laserdiscs, which allowed players to control the actions of a knight named Dirk during his adventures.
Night Trap (1992) <TAG1> A game that has become scandalous due to its theme and visual style. The player had to monitor the video cameras in the house and activate traps to protect the girls from vampires.
Sewer Shark (1992) <TAG1> One of the first FMV titles for the Sega CD console. The player controlled an aircraft that flew through sewer tunnels and had to avoid obstacles and destroy enemies.
The 7th Guest (1993) <TAG1> A psychological thriller game from Trilobyte. She combined video with actors and 3D graphics, offering players to solve puzzles in a mysterious mansion.
Phantasmagoria (1995) <TAG1> Psychological horror by Sierra On-Line, created by Roberta Williams. The game was about a woman who discovers that her house has a dark history and had realistic scenes of violence and horror.
Gabriel Knight 2: The Beast Within (1995) <TAG1> Continuation of the series of games from Sierra On-Line. She used real actors and had a complex plot about werewolves and ancient secrets.
Tex Murphy: Under a Killing Moon (1994) <TAG1> A science fiction and noir game in which the player controlled a private detective in a post-apocalyptic world. She combined video with actors and three-dimensional graphics.
Wing Commander III: Heart of the Tiger (1994) <TAG1> Part of the popular space simulator series from Origin Systems. She used videos with famous actors such as Mark Hamill and had an exciting plot.
Gameplay reviews of any of these games can be easily found on YouTube. So if you want to immerse yourself a little more in studying the topic of FMV - there is plenty of content on the network.
