cut scene

Meaning

Noun

• A typically non-interactive portion of cinematic narrative shown during a video game to advance the story. Cut scenes may be presented with full motion video or may be done with the game engine, in which case they may allow some interactivity.

Origin

• Coined by game designer Ron Gilbert to describe non-interactive sequences in the 1987 adventure game Maniac Mansion, in reference to the cuts between scenes in films.