Interactive Storytelling

The short article referred to is titled ‘Turning a Linear Story into a Game: The Missing Link between Fiction and Interactive Entertainment’. The reading currently has no author and can be found @ http://www.gamedev.net/reference/list.asp?categoryid=123
The article discusses the growing trend of cinematic aspects found in video games. The main premise is that the characteristics of fiction, with the given examples of theme, characters, scripts and production can be applied across a broad range of mediums. This includes video games and with the right production, for instance the appropriate camera angles that can assist in creating a more movie-like experience, a game can become a great piece of fiction.

The one game franchise in particular that has embraced the form of contemporary cinematic movies is ‘Metal Gear Solid’. The most recent of these is the ‘Guns of the Patriots (MGS 4)’.
While this game is entertaining at times, there is in my opinion excess movies and not enough game play. The camera angles, cuts, lighting and sound are all very reliable versions of a possible preview to a feature length film, however they at times detract from the flow of game play. This is in comparison to the franchises previous versions. In MGS 1, the game play was engaging with a pattern of completing several levels before fighting a boss at the end of certain chapters. In number 4, there are less of these in between levels which have been replaced by videos. In this sense, the game is furthered through the use of visual aids rather than game play.
This fourth encounter while being a solid tribute to the franchise, romanticised a little too much with the cinema. There existed already countless fans that knew the back story and wanted to play towards a final conclusion. If the videos were for the causal gamer, in all fairness if they have only now started to play MGS that it is already too late to also play catch up.

Aspects of the movie world can enhance a video game's interactive story telling capabilities in addition to making the game more entertaining, however they are essentially only an add on. If the game lacks the necessary elements that it has to rely on this given feature that it really does not have chance in the open market.
Grand cinematic videos should only be shown at the conclusion, as a bonus reward, for hours and hours of work put into developing a character and defeating the nemesis.