Understanding the Efficiency and Effectiveness of Environmental Visual Effects in UE5 Video Game Cinematic
Abstract
This study investigated the efficiency and effectiveness of environmental visual effects (VFX) in video game cinematics, examining how they influenced emotional engagement, player perception, and computational performance. It focused on environmental nature such as lighting, weather systems, and particle effects, which enhanced visual realism and strengthened narrative depth. The researcher emphasized the need to maintain visuospatial balance to create immersive cinematic presentations without overloading system resources. The researcher employed a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative surveys with qualitative comparative analyses among video game enthusiasts and aspiring developers in Metro Manila. Using Unreal Engine 5 as the primary platform, the study explored technical and design considerations related to VFX implementation. Findings showed that environmental VFX significantly improved immersion and storytelling, and participants favored designs that balanced visual fidelity with responsiveness, as revealed by the survey results and exploration simulations. The study offered practical insights for developers particularly in indie or resource-limited contexts on optimizing cinematic quality without compromising performance, contributing to performance-conscious and narratively compelling game design. Moreover, understanding its significant role in video game cinematic helped emphasize the importance of environmental VFX beyond just technical optimization. Although the sample size and geographic scope limited generalization, the study advanced the discourse in game design by underscoring the strategic role of environmental VFX in producing performance-conscious yet narratively compelling cinematic experiences.
Keywords
Video Games, Cinematic, Visual Effects, Unreal Engine, Environment
Citations
IRE Journals:
Jaqueline Czerille M. Vicente , Ian Boots Bautista
"Understanding the Efficiency and Effectiveness of Environmental Visual Effects in UE5 Video Game Cinematic" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals Volume 9 Issue 3 2025 Page 473-495
IEEE:
Jaqueline Czerille M. Vicente , Ian Boots Bautista
"Understanding the Efficiency and Effectiveness of Environmental Visual Effects in UE5 Video Game Cinematic" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals, 9(3)
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IRE Journals is an open access online journals established with an aim to publish high quality of research work in various diciplines. We have more than 6 years in publications. Over 2500+ papers already published.
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