Have you ever watched an introduction to a video game?
I mean really watched it? What does it tell you – do you really know how much you’re seeing when watching an introduction?
A veteran of writing in games recently held a lecture on the importance of story telling and acting in games. One of his prime examples: Left 4 Dead. After re-watching what’s only a five-minute intro (and the ONLY cut-scene in the game), I couldn’t believe how much was communicated.
In short: this intro communicates everything you need to know about playing Left4Dead (just about).
Short of knowing my controls that I’ll learn in the next 3 minutes after the intro, I’m pretty sure I now know what I need to about this game.
Damn, and I didn’t even realize it when I first saw this. Did you?