Draft #1

The Impact Of Video Games On Movies: A New Era Of Entertainment

Introduction:

In recent years, the effect of video games on film has grown increasingly apparent. Filmmakers have begun to incorporate elements from the game world into their narratives as technology and storytelling approaches progress. This essay examines the enormous influence of video games on movies, emphasising how this combination of mediums has revolutionised the entertainment business.

Main Body: 

Inspired by the visually spectacular worlds generated in video games, filmmakers have pushed the frontiers of visual effects in films. Video games have set a new standard for visual aesthetics, from the fine intricacies of character designs to the magnificent sceneries. Movies like "Avatar" and "Ready Player One" have successfully combined these visually arresting features, providing viewers with a visually immersive experience.

...

Conclusion:

The impact of video games on film has ushered in a new era of entertainment, with immersive storytelling, aesthetically beautiful aesthetics, dynamic action scenes, and sophisticated character development becoming the standard. We may expect even more integration between these two genres as technology advances, blurring the barriers between gaming and movie experiences. The marriage of video games and movies has undeniably benefited the entertainment business by presenting fans with a varied choice of compelling and interactive storytelling.

Draft #2

The Impact of Technology in Video Games on the Movie Industry 

Introduction 

Technology has been a driving force in both the video game and film industries' evolution. While these two forms of entertainment have been distinct, they have become entwined over time. Once fixed to pixelated characters and simple plots, video games have evolved into powerful experiences that rival the immersion of movies. This essay investigates the impact of video game technology on the film industry, focusing on how video games have advanced in graphics and interactive experiences, which have influenced and transformed filmmaking. 

Main Body 

Inspired by the visually spectacular worlds generated in video games, filmmakers have pushed the frontiers of visual effects in films. Video games have set a new standard for visual aesthetics, from the fine detail of character designs (models) to the magnificent sceneries. Movies like "Avatar" and "Ready Player One" have successfully combined these visually interesting features, providing viewers with a visually immersive experience. However, this is often not the case as some movies choose not to use the same methods and go for much cheaper routes. Movies like "The Flash" have scenes which are oddly rendered and in this case the lead actor looks like his face was imposed over an entirely CGI body without motion capture (and this continues throughout the film), which an average third-party PS3 game over 10 years ago would outcompete them. As video games advanced in terms of graphical realism, filmmakers could not ignore them. The demand for more realistic computer-generated imagery (CGI) in films grew, trying to compete; fuelled in part by video game expectations. CGI advancements influenced by video game technology aided many films, but it meant the video games industry had competition. 

Modern video games make use of cutting-edge graphics engines, which enable developers to create lifelike environments, characters, and special effects. Games like "Cyberpunk 2077" and "Red Dead Redemption 2" display a level of realism previously reserved for movies. Graphics advancements are just one example of how video game technology has influenced the film industry. Video games have pushed the boundaries of visual storytelling, producing breathtakingly realistic and cinematic visuals on a regular basis. These advancements not only influenced video game graphics, but also filmmaking standards.     ... 

I also did a survey ... 

The distinguishing feature of video games is interactivity, which has transformed the entertainment landscape. Traditionally passive experiences, films have begun to incorporate interactive elements inspired by video game technology. Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) technologies have enabled viewers to interact with films in previously unimaginable ways. VR experiences such as "Wolves in the Walls" have allowed users to immerse themselves in the story, bridging the gap between gaming and cinema.  

Some films, such as "Choose Your Own Adventure" films, are inspired by video game decision-making and allow audiences to actively take part in the narrative. Viewers can influence the plot's progression by making decisions. There are also games that fall under the category of Role-playing game (RPG) that widens the gap between the two industries further. Allowing players to choose the character's dialogue and their actions have consequences on the story. 

I contacted someone in the industry to gather their opinion on the topic ...

Conclusion 

Video game technology has had a significant impact on the film industry, influencing: graphics, storytelling, interactivity, and marketing. Both industries' boundaries are likely to continue to blur as they evolve. While this merger opens up exciting possibilities for new forms of entertainment, it also questions traditional forms of what values a movie, or what a video game should have. As technology evolves, the relationship between these two industries will only strengthen, resulting in an evolving climate of creativity that benefits audiences worldwide. 

Bibliography

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Feedback for Draft #2

Knowledge

Work presented demonstrates some technical knowledge of the emerging technology

- Clear understanding of your chosen technology discussing a range of examples and key developments in your essay so far. It would be good to see some of your research sources used to base your discussions off, make sure these sources are at least recorded in your workbook for now, or don’t be afraid to putting them in to a bibliography. 

Knowledge

 Work presented demonstrates detailed analysis of the emerging technologies impact. 

Consider the future of Film production and Games Tech more (maybe more in the conclusion),  is there any current developments/ competition/ technological factors in Games that may influence the future of Films or vise versa with where Film graphics and immersion is heading will this impact any other areas of the Industy or how we play games? You need to explore a range of perspectives for at least one of your techs, I would recommend from the film side such as viewers/audience perspectives, then designers/developers/producers perspectives and then finally, your own/peers perspectives which you can also build on from primary research. Think about positive and negative impact on these 3 perspectives/areas.

Academic skills 

• Shows awareness of different perspectives and approaches within the area of study or work, for example;

- By using a wide range of appropriate research sources.

- Evaluates the evidence and draws conclusions.

• Selects relevant evidence for the research report.

• Presents writing of a good standard.

A great start overall, hitting key points in each section of the essay, it now just need fleshing out more with perspectives, references and more research. You could separate your Main body paragraphs up a bit into topics, and different areas of impact/perspectives. Think about where are you going to discuss your Primary Research? 

Be mindful of your wordcount, as you start to build these areas out. Good introduction, giving and overview of the essay, could add a bit more research or key points in here, such as summarising where it started and then where the industries are now. You could use some of the content from your initial paragraph in the introduction, and then focus more on the impact and different perspectives in the main body. Make sure you have a section in your conclusion for summarising your research findings/opinions/perspectives which you can then use to draw to your own conclusion and close the essay. Great Job so far Leo this will be strong piece. 

Draft #3

The Impact of Technology in Video Games on the Movie Industry 

Introduction 

Technology has been a driving force in both the video game and film industries' evolution. While these two forms of entertainment have been distinct, they have become entwined over time. Once fixed to pixelated characters and simple plots, video games have evolved into powerful experiences that rival the immersion of movies. This essay investigates the impact of video game technology on the film industry, focusing on how video games have advanced in graphics and interactive experiences, which have influenced and transformed filmmakers to do the same.

Main Body 

Inspired by the visually spectacular worlds generated in video games, filmmakers have pushed the frontiers of visual effects in films. Video games have set a new standard for visual aesthetics, from the fine detail of character designs (models) to the magnificent sceneries. Movies like "Avatar" and "Ready Player One" have successfully combined these visually interesting features, providing viewers with a visually immersive experience. However, this is often not the case as some movies choose not to use the same methods and go for much cheaper routes. Movies like "The Flash" have scenes which are oddly rendered and in this case the lead actor looks like his face was imposed over an entirely CGI body without motion capture (and this continues throughout the film), which an average third-party PS3 game over 10 years ago would outcompete them. As video games advanced in terms of graphical realism, filmmakers could not ignore them. The demand for more realistic computer-generated imagery (CGI) in films grew, trying to compete; fuelled in part by video game expectations. CGI advancements influenced by video game technology aided many films, but it meant the video games industry had competition. 

Modern video games make use of cutting-edge graphics engines, which enable developers to create lifelike environments, characters, and special effects. Games like "Cyberpunk 2077" and "Red Dead Redemption 2" display a level of realism previously reserved for movies. Graphics advancements are just one example of how video game technology has influenced the film industry. Video games have pushed the boundaries of visual storytelling, producing breathtakingly realistic and cinematic visuals on a regular basis. These advancements not only influenced video game graphics, but also filmmaking standards. Video games such as "MMOs, RPGs, FPS," or even playing "Casino Online" have come a long way since their 2D beginnings. They've grown to have more realistic graphics and have got players sucked into the games by simulating a more immersive and realistic experience. To create this effect, film directors take cues from video game developers and create films incorporating 3D features to create a more realistic cinematic experience. 

I also released a survey asking these three questions: Will movies someday be able to recreate/make more immersive: lifelike environments, characters, and special effects more easily than the Video game Industry? And I received 60% saying yes. 

Is it a good thing that games engines like Unreal Engine are evolving to benefit movie development? And I received 100% saying yes. 

Will these shared development methods be for the better of both industries? Be for the worse? Or benefit just one? And I received 80% saying it'll be better for both and then 20% saying it'll benefit the movie industry. The other two options were 0%. 

This goes to show people are welcoming of this evolutionary change and hope for the better of the movie industry for their entertainment purposes. But more commonly people believe this change to movie development will benefit both industries, this could be down to people not fully understanding the question or they believe the two industries will become symbiotic in a way as they learn from each other. Only time will tell.

On another note, the distinguishing feature of video games is interactivity, which has transformed the entertainment landscape. Traditionally passive experiences, films have begun to incorporate interactive elements inspired by video game technology. Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) technologies have enabled viewers to interact with films in previously unimaginable ways. VR experiences such as "Wolves in the Walls" have allowed users to immerse themselves in the story, bridging the gap between gaming and cinema. Some films, such as "Choose Your Own Adventure" films, are inspired by video game decision-making and allow audiences to actively take part in the narrative. Viewers can influence the plot's progression by making decisions. There are also games that fall under the category of Role-playing game (RPG) that widens the gap between the two industries further. Allowing players to choose the character's dialogue and their actions have consequences on the story. 

VR technology has effortlessly integrated its immersive qualities into both the gaming and film industries, altering the way consumers interact with content. VR has created a new age of interactive experiences in the games industry, allowing players to enter imaginative realms and interact with landscapes on a huge scale. This immersion improves the gaming experience by adding a sense of presence and realism that traditional games don't have. Similarly, VR has been used as a tool for virtual filmmaking, allowing filmmakers to plan sequences, test camera angles and create immersive storytelling experiences. In the movie industry, VR has sped up pre-production giving filmmakers a virtual sandbox to experiment with set designs and camera movements. As a result, filmmaking becomes more efficient and cost-effective. VR also expands the storytelling by providing viewers with immersive 360° experiences. However the developing material in VR that mixes live-action and CGI, requires a well experienced job for VR filmmaking.

Advantages for the games industry include the technology behind the sensation of presence and involvement that VR provides. Players may interact physically with the virtual world, building a stronger connection to the game's narrative. Furthermore, VR technology enables novel gameplay elements such as realistic hand interactions and spatial awareness, resulting in a more interactive and interesting gaming experience. On the other hand, difficulties include the high cost of VR technology and the requirements for developers to adapt to new design paradigms, which may limit the accessibility of VR games.

Despite these obstacles, the benefits of VR in both industries highlight its evolving potential. As technology advances the merge of VR in gaming and filmmaking has the potential to reshape how stories are told and experienced, sharing new paths for creativity and audience involvement in the digital world.

I also contacted someone in the games industry, Sam Webster from NextGen Skills Academy to gather his opinion on this topic.

I asked him: What is your opinion on the similarities of development for video games and movies. And how does it affect either industry? His response was "I think we’ll see more people being able to work in either industry, especially people who can use Unreal. It depends on the game, a big story driven AAA game will have much more in common with a film, especially the cut scenes, using animation and performance capture. Whereas a puzzle game will have very little in common with film making. You get VFX artists specifically in games now but it’s a very different job to being a VFX artist for film as the effects usually need to be visible from any angle whereas in film it’s about getting the perfect shot from a specific angle."

What is your opinion on how games engines like Unreal Engine that are evolving to benefit movie development? His response was "It seems to be a great thing for the film industry. Actors say it’s much easier to perform in a volume surrounded by the virtual set than using a blue screen. It’s also more cost effective than building a set, which is good for the production company’s budget but bad for professional set builders."

What are your overall thoughts on how this expansion has impacted the games industry? His response was "Unreal seems to be making it easier for smaller game developers to create more impressive looking games. Maybe in a few years a small team will be able to create an AAA game. We could see the industry shrink in terms of jobs at big studios but grow in terms of seeing more indie developers."

This goes to show from his personal experience working in the games industry, this merge will benefit both industries in terms of job wise and the quality of upcoming smaller budget games, but for the film industry it's mixed depending on the job role as the change will affect many people's jobs.

Following what has been said. Unreal Engine is a well known game engine and has been for many years, for its advantages in game development. Lately it has evolved into a revolutionary tool for filmmakers as well, looking for cutting-edge technologies to use in movie development. Its powerful visuals, real time rendering and dynamic lighting have changed the way filmmakers approach the production process. The ability of Unreal Engine being able to produce life like settings in real time gives filmmakers a lot of creative flexibility, allowing them to: easily visualise sets in a 3D space, test lighting situations and iterate on set designs. This not only speeds up planning but also allows filmmakers to make smart decisions early in the production process. Furthermore, Unreal Engine allows seamless blending of live-action video with computer-generated imagery (CGI), allowing a more natural blend in the physical and virtual world. Its influence on the film industry demonstrates Unreal Engine's adaptability and strength, crossing the borders between gaming and filmmaking to create a shared visual narrative.

Conclusion 

From how things are going so far, both industries are rising in popularity and now that the movie industry has adopted the same technological methods as the games industry for development and inevitably progressing further. I believe it is a bad thing as consumers may lose interest in games and look to films as a replacement. Ultimately meaning less profit for low budget games, more qualified jobs needed and eventually leading to higher standards for quality in AAA games compared to movies. At the end of all this, consumers and developers have different opinions. Some developers are concerned about how their jobs will have to change such drastically, however most consumers are looking to the future where game and film are at equal ground, therefore encouraging the change to happen.

Overall, video game technology has had a significant impact on the film industry, influencing graphics, storytelling, interactivity and marketing. Both industries' boundaries are likely to continue to blur as they evolve. While this merger opens up exciting possibilities for new forms of entertainment, it also questions traditional forms of what values a movie or what a video game should have. As technology evolves, the relationship between these two industries will only strengthen, resulting in an evolving climate of creativity that benefits audiences worldwide. 

Bibliography

AAA Game, [Game Category]

AR, Augmented Reality, 1968, [Technology]

Avatar, 2009, [Movie], Lightstorm Entertainment

Casino Online, 1994, [Gambling Game]

CGI, Computer-generated imagery, 1958, [Technology]

Cyberpunk 2077, 2020, [Game], CD Projekt RED

FPS, First-person shooter, 1973, [Game Category]

MMO, Massive multiplayer online, 1997, [Game Category]

PS3, PlayStation 3, 2006, [Games Console], Sony

Ready Player One, 2018, [Movie], Warner Bros.Pictures

Red Dead Redemption 2, 2018, [Game], Rockstar Games

RPG, Role-playing game, 1974, [Game Category]

The Flash, 2023, [Movie], DC Studios, Warner Bros.Pictures

Unreal, Unreal Engine, 1998, [Game engine], Epic Games

VR, Virtual Reality, 1968, [Technology]

Wolves in the Walls, 2020, [Game], Fable Studio Inc

https://hub-media.com/post-2/

https://nichegamer.com/howvideogamesarechangingthefilmindustry/#:~:text=How%20Video%20Games%20Are%20Changing%20The%20Film%20Industry,Movies%20and%20Video%20Games%20is%20Becoming%20Blurred%20

https://www.houseofsolo.co.uk/the-impact-of-gaming-on-the-entertainment-industry/

https://www.unrealengine.com/