Should studios clearly distinguish gameplay from cutscenes?
Or is the mystery part of the show?
"Grand Theft Auto VI Trailer 2 was captured entirely in-game from a PlayStation 5, comprised of equal parts gameplay and cutscenes."
That’s the official word from Rockstar, and while the trailer looks absolutely stunning, I couldn't help but wonder... which bits are cutscenes and which bits are gameplay?
It got me thinking, should studios be more transparent with which parts are gameplay and which parts are cutscenes?
The reason I ask this question is because I've seen games that claim to show "game engine footage" or "captured in real-time" but turn out to show mostly cinematic, pre-rendered cutscenes that don't look anything like the actual gameplay. Anthem certainly comes to mind.
Now obviously, this is Rockstar we’re talking about and I’ve got no doubt GTA VI is going to be visually stunning and technically impressive. But in an industry where trailers often blur the line between cinematic and playable, I do think there’s room for more transparency.
If a trailer mixes gameplay and cutscenes, why not just make it clear which is which? It’s not about spoiling the magic, it’s about setting the right expectations and being honest with your audience.
What are your thoughts?
Should studios clearly distinguish gameplay from cutscenes, or is the mystery part of the show?
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