Let's talk about game intros.

[c0n]

What if the long intro was a little bit into the game or they intersperse game play into it yet didn't make it feel like a tutorial?

What if it was a long intro... yet the player controlled how the intro went? like what characters said and what happened next, as well as it immediately introducing a hook?

Well... You're setting up game rules and expectations with how the intro plays. If you're giving the player a high level of control at the beginning, then I agree with philteredkhaos: you'll have to give the player that ability throughout the game.... OR have those early choices affect the game through to the end so it doesn't seem pointless.  

 

[Oddball]

@Oddball I would certainly say that is more fun than watching an episode of Game X instead of playing it. As for controlling the intro... With a lot of work, that would be a fun game. If you could keep on shaping the story as you play, depending on what you do or don't do, what you say, where you go... End up with a different character at the end because of it...

hmm...

You working on any projects right now, Oddball?

yes, but I'm not exactly doing this for the intro. although, choices you make in the game do shape which direction the story goes. However, you won't see those choices start to shape out (or get many of them) untill after the second boss. Basicly, I'm flattering chaos theory with the way i'm doing my game. it starts off nice and linear, and then everything just goes to heck with what the player can do by the end of the game

 

[MisterTorgue]

My intro to the game is more of a Star Wars intro

You get a scroll text with images in the back ground telling you a bit about the events that have occurred in the land. 

And it gives you vague hints of what's going to unravel. (its about 1 minute of text  if you read slow I assume!)

Then it throws you in an interactive intro part, introducing you into the protagonists, again doesnt give too much away.

As then when the game starts, by following the main set of quests, you find out who these people are and what they are trying to do e.c.t.

Also adding a few playable cut back scenes where you play people in the previous war that occurred, letting you get the feel of what really went on before you started playing, giving that extra depth in the game