Cut scene

A cut scene is a short video sequence interjected amongst normal video game play. Cut scenes typically provide additional information about the game's plot or characters, and sometimes include critical gameplay information or clues as well.

The earliest video game known to make use of cut scenes as an extensive and integral part of the game was Lucasarts' Maniac Mansion, released in 1987 and renowned for several other innovations as well. Since then, cut scenes have been a critical part of most computer role-playing games. More recently, other genres such as action game began using more and more cut scenes.