I know that many people like to start playing instanly and may be nervously tipping with their fingers during a long introductionary cutscene. On the other hand, a good cutscene might create the general mood of a scenario much better than a long text in the history section.
I have just finished the cutscene for my scenario/campaign "All Brothers Were Valiant" which plays in a fictitious county in 13th century Central Europe.
The cutscene at the beginning is about 6 minutes long. It is divided into three parts:
1. Sigismund, the Count of Creutzperg's eldest son, returns from a scout mission and tells about rumours about the army of the Count's arch-enemy gathering at the border.
2. Sigismund tries to find out more about it, and while doing this is hit by a poisoned arrow at a small stream in the forest.
3. The Count's advisor meets with the enemy's general on a forest clearing, and we learn about his betrayal.
Then the cutscene ends, and the player starts playing Sigismund's brother returning from a long voyage and finding out that his father's castle is being sieged by his arch-enemy.
Again, this whole cutscene takes about 6 minutes. Do you think it is too long? What's your personal opinion about the length of a cutscene in general?
Greetings to you all,
Patrick