Who is the Person in the Cutscene in Dead Island?

The person featured in the iconic and chilling cutscene for Dead Island is never explicitly named or shown in the game itself. However, based on the setting, visuals, and the context of the trailer, it is heavily implied to be a member of the family staying at the Royal Palms Resort on the fictional island of Banoi. While her identity is not 100% confirmed, the prevailing theory and near-universal assumption is that she is the young daughter of one of the vacationing families, a child likely named Emily. The cutscene depicts her tragic fate during the initial zombie outbreak, culminating in her becoming infected.

Unpacking the Dead Island Cutscene

The original Dead Island trailer, released in 2011, was a masterpiece of cinematic storytelling. It showed a pre-infection family enjoying a vacation on the beautiful, yet soon-to-be-hellish, island of Banoi. The cutscene reverses time, starting with the tragic climax and moving backwards to show the events leading up to the girl’s zombification. This reverse chronology heightened the emotional impact and made the game instantly memorable.

The trailer depicts chaos erupting at the resort. We see glimpses of panicked vacationers, struggling against the horde. The little girl, Emily, is shown playing, seemingly oblivious to the danger until it’s too late. A zombie attacks her family, and she is either bitten or scratched, setting in motion her own transformation. The trailer ends with her now-zombified form falling from a balcony.

This shocking and emotionally charged depiction of violence, particularly against a child, caused significant controversy upon its release. However, it also garnered widespread attention and contributed heavily to the initial hype surrounding Dead Island. The trailer was a masterclass in marketing, showcasing the game’s themes of survival, loss, and the fragility of life in the face of overwhelming odds.

Why “Emily” Remains a Mystery

Despite the trailer’s impact, the character remains a mysterious figure within the actual game. She never appears in the core storyline. The player characters never encounter her or explicitly mention her. This absence has fueled speculation and discussion within the Dead Island community for years.

Several factors contribute to this ambiguity:

• Focus on the Four Playable Characters: The game primarily focuses on the stories of the four playable characters – Xian Mei, Purna Jackson, Sam B, and Logan Carter – and their individual struggles to survive the outbreak and escape Banoi. Their storylines take precedence.

• Genre Emphasis: Dead Island is, at its heart, an action role-playing game (RPG) with a heavy emphasis on combat and exploration. The narrative takes a backseat to the core gameplay loop.

• Potential Controversy Avoidance: Following the initial controversy surrounding the trailer’s violence against a child, the developers might have consciously avoided including a similar character in the game itself to mitigate further backlash.

The Impact of the Cutscene on the Game’s Perception

Even though Emily doesn’t appear in the game, her image and tragic story are intrinsically linked to the Dead Island brand. The trailer set a certain tone and expectation for the game. While the final product didn’t fully deliver on the emotional depth and narrative complexity suggested by the trailer, it nonetheless left a lasting impression on many players.

The cutscene became a cultural phenomenon, widely shared and discussed online. It established Dead Island as more than just a typical zombie game, hinting at a deeper, more emotionally resonant experience. This perception, in turn, contributed to the game’s commercial success, despite its mixed critical reception.

FAQs About the Dead Island Cutscene and “Emily”

Here are 15 frequently asked questions concerning the Dead Island cutscene and the little girl featured in it:

1. Is the girl in the Dead Island trailer actually named Emily?

While there’s no official confirmation, the general consensus is that she’s referred to as Emily due to fan theories and discussions. The game never explicitly names her.

2. Does the girl from the trailer appear in the Dead Island game?

No, the little girl from the trailer does not appear in the Dead Island game. She’s only present in the cinematic trailer.

3. Why isn’t she in the game if she’s so central to the trailer?

The reasons are speculative, but it’s likely due to a combination of factors including a shift in narrative focus, the game’s genre emphasis, and potential sensitivity around depicting violence against children.

4. Did the Dead Island trailer cause controversy?

Yes, the trailer sparked significant controversy due to its depiction of violence against a child. Some found it exploitative, while others praised its artistic merit.

5. Who created the Dead Island trailer?

The trailer was created by Axis Animation, a visual effects and animation studio based in Glasgow, Scotland.

6. What is the music used in the Dead Island trailer?

The haunting piano music is titled “Promises” and was composed specifically for the trailer.

7. Does the Dead Island trailer accurately represent the gameplay?

Not entirely. The trailer is more cinematic and emotionally driven than the actual gameplay, which is focused on action RPG elements and zombie combat.

8. Is Dead Island a horror game?

While Dead Island has horror elements, it’s more accurately described as an action RPG with survival horror themes.

9. Are there other characters in the Dead Island universe similar to the girl in the trailer?

No, there are no other characters with a similar tragic backstory involving children in prominent roles.

10. Did the Dead Island trailer influence other zombie game trailers?

Yes, arguably. The emotional and cinematic approach of the Dead Island trailer influenced the marketing strategies of other zombie games, emphasizing character development and narrative storytelling.

11. Is the Dead Island trailer considered one of the best video game trailers ever made?

Many consider it to be one of the best, due to its emotional impact, artistic presentation, and effectiveness in generating hype for the game.

12. Was the Dead Island trailer rendered in-engine?

No, the trailer was pre-rendered using high-end animation and visual effects software. It was not representative of the game’s actual graphics.

13. Is the Dead Island trailer available to watch online?

Yes, the trailer is widely available on platforms like YouTube.

14. Did the success of the trailer affect the development of Dead Island 2?

Potentially, the trailer’s success and the audience’s expectations for a deeper narrative may have influenced the development of Dead Island 2, although that game went through numerous development challenges and changes in direction.

15. What’s the main message the Dead Island trailer intended to convey?

The trailer aimed to convey the tragic consequences of the zombie outbreak, highlighting the loss of innocence and the vulnerability of humanity in the face of overwhelming horror. It emphasized the human element and the emotional toll of survival.