Animation and Computer Games

They're both part of digital media, there have been a number of transitions between them ( computer games based on tv shows, movies based of games, etc). Computer games use animation for cut scenes. So they are in some cases linked, but, what are the differences between them?

Computer games and animation are both immersive, but, in different ways. When you play a game you are usually given a wide range of options to choose from that directly effect either the game play or in some cases the game. With animation, on the other hand, one doesn't have the option of changing any part of it, yet this doesn't take away from the enjoyment (as long as we're referring to the viewer - or player in case of a game - and not the creator who experiences both immersion at certain parts of the creative process as well as full control of the mediums). Therefore, both allow the viewer to interact and become part of the world the game or animation are potrating, but in various degrees or ways. Games tend to have a more physical approach to immersion, whereas animation tends to be geared towards the imagination and inner world of the viewer (that is not to say that video games don't use the same psychological immersion techniques).

Another point to consider is the quality of the animation for each of them. Animation for a feature film or a series is usually high quality, animators having the enough time to focus on it and few software limitations to worry about. With video games, on the other hand, although animation is usually one of the focal points of the game, many other things have to be done in parallel. Game mechanics, level designs, programming,environment interactivity time constraints all contribute to the animation quality. But, most importantly, software limitation is the one that brings down the animation in games. Based on the console the games is geared at, the memory one has is limited. The modelling has to be simple (with simple rigs), which usually leads to clunky animations. The quality of the characters (facial animation, clothes, hair) is usually subpar when compared to an animated movie because of the same reason. The more complex the characters and backgrounds, the greater te lag in render playback. Yet, consoles are even evolving and with their evolution comes more memory and more space within which animators can create better and better animations.

I feel that, although they are two different digital medias, and though they will always retain separate undiluted forms, they will at some point in the future mix together to form a completely new digital media. Whether it will be an animation that will allow you to hand pick certain actions the characters take so as to lead them towards different endings, or a game where the animation will reach the same quality as in features films, maybe even one that allows you to "direct" you own animation/game by giving you options for camera positioning, character and selection, ability to alter elements in the game (whether they are character or background objects or even settings), while still retaining the "feel" or basic story of the game. Only time will tell where this two medias will head and how they will merge.