Working Titles

The Last of Us Part II begins in an arrestingly simple way. In this episode of Working Titles, Barney from Listening In, considers why the game’s opening sequence is so important, how it relates to the first game, and what it means for the punishing and beautiful story of Part II.

The opening moments of 2007’s Bioshock are some of the most iconic in gaming history. But why exactly does it still stick in players brains so many years later. Well, would you kindly join Matt from Extra Credits as he discusses how the perfect synergy between Mechanics Explanation, Art Direction and Narrative Design fosters an experience that keeps players coming back under the sea again and again. Also spliced into the discussion are incites from Bioshock artist David Flamburis who Matt sat down with to chat about his creation of the iconic lighthouse and raptures art deco decay.

Half-Life is a technical and atmospheric wonder of a series that has time and time again set the bar for games higher and ever. From immersive storytelling, engaging characters to innovation in level design, lighting, graphics and most of all physics. The opening of Half-Life 2 is a perfect demonstration of how to improve over an already great predecessor and still stand apart entirely. Many of the revolutionary improvements made by Half-life 2 are now standard in the video game industry, and for good reason. In this video Mia Mulder walks you through the openings of both Half-Life 1 and 2 and tells you as the opening progresses how the world of Half-Life invites you in to explore and discover.

Final Fantasy VII is unarguably one of the most iconic RPGs of all time. Besides being a technical wonder, Final Fantasy VII changed the history of the videogame industry by completely revamping the status quo regarding character development, world building and game design. Its opening sequence, despite its simplicity, is a masterpiece full of foreshadowing and incredible details, having been recreated more than 4 times over the last 25 years. In this episode, Mariana tries to walk you through the cues and details provided by the game’s opening sequence without revealing too many spoilers.

Metal Gear Solid will go down as one of the greatest games of all time and it all starts with the first level introduction and title sequence. Sneak along with Lee from CinemaWins as he actions some tactical espionage in Alaska.

Released in 1996, Quake was a gore-filled first person shooter and successor to Doom, legendary for it’s no-nonsense alien killing spree gameplay. Join Dom Burgess as he looks back at one of his favourite game series and its (slightly crappy) intro sequences.

Night of the Coconut by Patrick H Willems is pure cinema. And as cinema, it contains a title sequence. And because it contains a title sequence, Nando v Movies dug a little bit deeper to see what the opening song choice says about the story and its connection to early 90’s comic book adaptations.

In this exclusive Working Titles episode, F.D Signifier examines the legacy of the black animated sitcom "The Boondocks" and breaks down the numerous layers of meaning that can be found in it's opening sequence.

The smash hit Shark Tank, now entering its 14th season, has hopeful entrepreneurs bow at the feet of our almighty investors to beg for a piece of the American pie. But how did the show establish this power dynamic? And are the Sharks really the business geniuses they're made out to be? Leo Vader walks through each season's title sequence to put the story together.

What makes the Charmed theme song work so well? Is it the cover by Love Spit Love? The lyrics by The Smiths? Or is it the bad ass synergy of both with the deeper themes of the show? Princess Weekes will examine that in this Working Titles episode on Charmed.