The gaming industry has advanced dramatically over the years. We've gone from limited pixel counts in 2D games like the classic Final Fantasy titles to basking in stunning high-tech innovations like Ray-Traced Visuals, Volumetric Shadows, and whatever NVIDIA and AMD have been cooking up year after year.
With this massive leap in technology, it's become increasingly easier for developers to make games more accessible. Gamers have been spoiled ever since, with standard launch options like a 30fps Quality Mode or a 60fps Performance Mode, each catering to different preferences, and both becoming consistent mainstays in modern titles.
Which is why, with this growing emphasis on accessibility and player experience, a Photo Mode should be a standard feature in modern video games.
Games With a Severe Lack of Photo Mode
I've seen countless gorgeous games that would’ve greatly benefited from a Photo Mode, take Sandfall Interactive’s Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, for example. It notoriously lacks one, which feels ironic for a game centered around Pictos and paintings. You can't even pause the game to capture a stunning shot of its beautifully decayed landscapes.
Then there are sprawling open-world titles like FromSoftware’s Elden Ring, which desperately needed a Photo Mode. There were moments where I just wanted to stop and admire the Lands Between, angle my character just right, and capture that breathtaking skybox. But no, I'd be stuck with an overloaded UI cluttering the screen.
Sleeping Dogs, the underrated gem often dubbed a Grand Theft Auto clone, could've massively benefited from a Photo Mode. The neon-soaked streets of Hong Kong, teeming with hidden crime beneath its pulsing lights, are practically begging for noir-inspired photoshoots.
A more recent example is The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, which also launched without a Photo Mode. This left players baffled after booting it up, especially since many were eager to soak in the sights of a newly reimagined Tamriel.
It Should Be a Standard
Let me say this: a Photo Mode significantly boosts a game’s replay value. Even after rolling credits, players often want to revisit moments, to capture scenes like scaling a massive shadowed castle or gazing over a city reduced to rubble.
While mods can sometimes fill this gap, they're not always accessible, especially for console players. And a Photo Mode isn't just for aesthetics. It’s a powerful tool for exploration and creativity, letting players discover hidden corners that developers sneak into the map.
Stellar Blade handled this well, releasing a Photo Mode a few months post-launch. Sure, most players had already completed Eve’s story, but the new mode encouraged them to dive back in for fresh shots, and even enticed new players to join in.
With games now costing $70 to $80, not including a Photo Mode (especially if your game looks visually impressive) is a missed opportunity. Thankfully, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is priced at $50, and we’re hopeful a Photo Mode will arrive in a future update.