How Film Techniques Can Transform Game Interaction Design

When you encounter an outstanding game, you may think, "This game is as amazing as a movie!" Directors like Mamoru Oshii have praised games such as "Death Stranding" for their cinematic qualities, and historically, film has both influenced and been influenced by games.

Film is a passive visual and auditory art that can accurately recreate reality and present virtual worlds, enriching viewers' perspectives. Games, while also visual and auditory, are interactive experiences within a structured framework, allowing players to actively shape their own dreams.

As game interaction designers, we can enhance virtual experiences by borrowing film techniques. This article examines three film aspects—trailers, storytelling, and emotional elevation—and how they can inform game design.

Part 1: Trailer

1. Movie Trailer

Movie trailers introduce the world view and highlight exciting moments to attract audiences. Games can similarly showcase core concepts early, informing players of who they are, where they come from, and what they aim to achieve.

2. Trailer‑Driven Guidance "I"

Introducing the world view and the player's current situation helps focus attention on essential actions, reducing distractions and improving onboarding, as seen in titles like Tomb Raider and other modern games.

Part 2: Storytelling

1. How Movies Tell Good Stories

Stories are the most persuasive way to convey knowledge. A great film captivates the audience, making the medium invisible. Effective storytelling involves clear plot, vivid characters, visual language, and appropriate music.

2. Applying Storytelling to Experience Design

Designers should consider the game's world view, its distinction from other titles, alignment of each experience segment with the overall narrative, layout, emotional feedback, and consistency with the world’s logic.

3. Practical Example

A daily reminder feature can be inspired by a short film, turning a simple alarm into an emotionally resonant interaction that guides the player through a narrative.

Part 3: Emotional Elevation

1. Designing Emotional Fluctuations

Films enrich viewers' thoughts and emotions. In games, emotional design adds layers beyond functionality, encouraging user attention, emotional response, and desired behaviors.

Donald Norman’s "Emotional Design" explains three levels—visceral, behavioral, reflective—highlighting the importance of integrating emotion into product design.

2. Notable Emotional Design Examples

Donation interactions that provide emotional feedback and offline engagement.

Dynamic 3D message notifications that follow the player’s perspective.

"Florence"’s expressive UI that mirrors the protagonist’s emotional state.

Conclusion: Future Interaction Thoughts

While movies follow a linear narrative, games offer experiential freedom. Open‑world titles like "Zelda" and "Animal Crossing" let players craft personal stories within designer‑set rules. As 3D, motion capture, facial modeling, and ray tracing improve, the line between film and game blurs, pointing toward interactive movies where players become creators.