Full Motion Video
Ongoing coverage on Full Motion Video.
Latest coverage
Previewing The Final Cut of Lilith Cunningham
The Final Cut of Lilith Cunningham is an ambitious sophomore title from Causeway Studios, blending first-person mystery-adventure gameplay with Full Motion Video elements. Players step into the role of Lilith as she investigates a mysterious hotel and drive-in theater in Colorado to find a distressed character named Sara. The game features unique mechanics like an Astral Place corkboard for clue-gathering and the ability to alter reality by editing film reels, drawing inspiration from Lynchian cinema and a 'Desert Noir' aesthetic.
The Final Cut of Lilith Cunningham is a novel FMV mystery
Causeway Studios' upcoming FMV mystery game, The Final Cut of Lilith Cunningham, utilizes full-motion video in a novel way to weave its central mystery. Players investigate the disappearance of Sara and her partner Todd, collecting clues and accessing an astral plane to piece together events. The game, set to release on PC in 2027, allows players to re-edit film reels to alter outcomes and explore new areas.
The 7th Guest Returns: Vertigo Games Reimagines a ’90s Classic for 2026
Vertigo Games has released a remake of the 1990s FMV horror puzzle game, The 7th Guest, for PC and PlayStation VR2. The remake features rebuilt environments, new puzzles, and reimagined performances, while collaborating with original creators Rob Landeros and composer George Sanger. Game Director Paul van der Meer discussed the challenges of updating the classic for modern audiences and VR, aiming for a spooky yet humorous experience akin to an escape room.
Video codecs are a nightmare for game developers, but there's no solution in sight
Video codecs present a significant and persistent challenge for game developers, with no easy solutions in sight. Developers like Sam Barlow and Remy Siu highlight the complexities of compressing and decompressing video for games, especially for multi-platform releases and full-motion video content. Issues range from cutscenes not appearing on certain platforms to the sheer volume of work required to optimize video for different hardware, leading to painful development cycles and limitations on creative possibilities.
1000xResist developer added a video sequence 'out of desperation' but now they're bringing FMV back for…
The developers of 1000xResist initially incorporated Full Motion Video (FMV) out of desperation but are now embracing it for future projects. The game Prove You're Human, also discussed, utilizes FMV to depict a split between the physical and virtual worlds. Industry figures note a resurgence in FMV, citing titles like Immortality and Road to Empress.
Black Tabby Games slinks into game publishing with 1000xResist creator's next game
Black Tabby Games, known for Slay the Princess and Scarlet Hollow, has launched a new publishing label called Black Tabby Publishing. Its first project is Prove You're Human, developed by Sunset Visitor, the studio behind 1000xResist. Black Tabby Games will fully fund the game and provide publishing support, aiming to help other independent developers navigate the industry.
DreamHack 2026 – Indie Playground Highlights
DreamHack 2026 in the UK featured an "Indie Playground" showcasing numerous independently developed games. Highlights included "The Drifting Crown" by Sponge Hammer Games, a roguelike action-adventure; "Character Limit," a fast-paced word game from Hotel Outlaw; and "Chronicles Reborn," an open-world survival adventure by Brightwyn Games. Other featured titles were D’Avekki Studios' full-motion video murder mystery "The Infectious Madness of Doctor Dekker 2," Galatico Studios' retro shooter "Galatico," and "Everything is Crab," an animal evolution roguelite published by Secret Mode.
Island of Hearts Out Now – A Live-Action Dating Adventure Featuring Top (Human) Asian Influencers
Island of Hearts, a live-action dating adventure game, is now available on PC via Steam, published by 4Divinity and co-developed by Titan Digital Media. The game features a first-person perspective with branching conversations and mini-games, starring popular Asian social media influencers. Physical merchandise bundles are also available.
Indie Selects for March 2025: Fresh Contrasts for a New Season
The Indie Select Hub for March 2025 features a curated collection of indie games on Xbox, highlighting contrasts between genres and themes. This month's spotlights include the violent sci-fi action of Romeo Is a Dead Man, the life sim and action RPG blend of Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma, the literal money-cleaning sim Cash Cleaner Simulator, the FMV psychological horror Heart of the Forest, the survival horror Crisol: Theater of Idols, and the color-mixing puzzle game ChromaGun 2: Dye Hard.
