Yes, it is feasible to convert a video game into a video file by forward-rendering its content.
Yes, it is feasible to convert a video game into a video file by forward-rendering its content.
For instance, a PC equipped with a GTX 1050 Ti might find it difficult to play many current games at 4K60. However, could it be feasible to 'forward-render' an in-game scene into a 4K60 video file, even if it doesn’t run instantly? I doubt it would work smoothly because it could disrupt the game’s logic, though I found it intriguing to explore.
You'd prefer larger file sizes for your game assets, mainly because early engines struggled to handle movie-quality animations. Back then, cutscenes were typically pre-rendered videos due to limited processing power. Nowadays, high-resolution files are common, but they increase the game's size. This makes them more suitable for lower-end systems while still allowing real-time rendering on modern hardware. The choice remains valid, and you could even opt for a 50GB game with normal graphics or a 120GB version with pre-rendered content.
I understand, my current GPU struggles with full ray tracing at 4K60p for Cyberpunk. I'm curious to see the visuals, so I thought about pre-rendering a cutscene into a video file. Don't worry about the confusion in my earlier message.