Photo Mode - Does anyone actually use it?

I’m getting tired of seeing news stories passing this feature out like it’s something to be excited about.

I think taking photos in a game is the most useless way to waste my time rather than actually playing the game.

I’d much rather devs put something else than waste time, money and effort on modes like these.

Does anyone actually use this crap for more than 2 minutes?

Yes, though I don't use it to take photos.

I use it to watch details up close, look at something I missed, or look at how the game looks without HUD.

I never use it. Most of the time I just forget it even exists as a feature.

Yes, but the game needs to have good graphics and art direction.

On consoles, I rarely take pics of anything half the time, the menu is crap what buttons to hit or use. So yeah, I'm also sick and tire of game journalist making photo mode as a news story and just an excuse to published it due to slow news today.

On PC, it's much easier to take a pic while using Nvidia Experience app but even then, I I don't take pics that much unless it's for a pacific thread asking to do so.

once to send to a person. other wise no.

Usually a pointless feature to me, may have drunkenly stumbled into photo mode a few times.

No, can't stand it.

I would have used it on my GoW run. I'm not going back right away to use it though

Yep. Today update came for Ragnarok. Will surely take a bunch of screenshots

I do. I do photography as a hobby so it's a feature I usually like to see but not necessarily need in a game.

Sometimes, toy with it, never devoted any considerable chunk of time into composition. IMO it's a tool to help players share the great things they enjoy in a game with others.

I see nothing wrong with such inclusion as a feature. I have never been like "man, this game was close to being good, if only the devs didn't waste time on that photo mode it would have been perfect".

Only on PC I'll post them on the screenshot forum.

Not that often but occasionally I will use it. Can some pretty scenic vistas and I like checking out details and what not. Don’t mind having these options in my games though even though I don’t use it that often.

Don't mind them at all, wouldn't care if they're gone either. If I want a screen grab, content with hitting F12.

Honestly though, probably one of the easiest features to implement. It's time and money, sure, but such an insignificant amount. It's not something that will take away from the final product. They're certainly not tasking senior level designers/artists/programmers with that stuff lol.

These are features that are already baked in to most game engines. Camera actor, FOV slider, post process effects/volumes, etc. Basically just allowing for limited access to those functions. Most of the work would go into the UI, which isn't all that much.

I never use it unless it’s for getting a trophy lol. PS5 is easy enough to screenshot with or record, I don’t need the mode built in to the game.

@johnd13: "I never use it. Most of the time I just forget it even exists as a feature."

I never used it. I forget it existed until this thread was created

Only in really beautiful games with great vistas, like Star Citizen Alpha.

I only use it for getting a closer look at NPCs or something in the background.

I don't think I've ever taken an actual picture in photo mode....on purpose anyway lol

No, don't think I ever have. I'm usually a bit busy playing when I'm playing. When something looks very cool or something weird happens, I might take a fast screenshot at most.

Plenty of people use it and, it's perfectly acceptable to admire art.

Good for console users who aren't used to basic PC features.

No... It isn't a real feature in a video game. I'd vote for them to never spend a single second on photo mode ever again. Finish your game then talk about unnecessary add-ons like photo mode....

Never use it.

I did in Gravity Rush 2, Spider-Man, and Yakuza Kiwami 2 & 6.

GR2 had an online mode tied to challenges and treasure hunts where you could earn crystals (currency and lvl up material), plus extra ones if other players liked your pictures in particular. In Spider-Man, it was more about getting cool poses, and in Yakuza it was about getting the most hilarious ones possible. Nothing was funnier than having Kiryu making heart gestures in the enemy base or posing in front of defeated bosses with Haruka.

Useless for me almost never use it only if i wanted to mess around, I think people who would appreciate this feature are reviewers and content creators on YT who want to make a good thumbnail, but it's not a useful feature or a fun one, i don't hate it i just think it's pointless.

@Ghost120x:

I personally adore photo mode. It's one of the best things to come out last gen. I always use it to take some really cool pics from time to time and it's a great way to capture the cooler moments of certain games. Mind you, I don't think it's mandatory but it's cool when it's featured.

I gotta admit I use photo mode a lot. I like to experiment with camera angles, add filters, create art works, or just fool around. Here are some examples:

It is great for taking bullshots.

use it to pause demon's souls

It's one of those features that's great to have even if you won't use it regularly. I like it and I think it should be standard in many games.

I use it for more than 2 minutes but I dont think I spend has much time has another people do but its a great thing to have for 2 main reasons.

1. Being able to take a photo of some of your favorite moments in a game is great.

2. We are now at a time where basically everthing graphics wise looks good. Yes some games look better than anothers but we dont really have bad looking games any more.

I dont get how this is something you cant stand. Maybe something you dont care for but dont really see it is something someone could hate.

Very odd take if anything have a photo mode can make it easier to catch flaws by people.

A game new enough to have photo mode probably has HDR. Even if it doesn't, I may use autoHDR. Screenshots taken in HDR never look right, never as good as if I played the game in SDR, and why would I generally do that with newer games that benefit from HDR?

Don't often post screenshots. When I do, it's usually from older games.

I never use it but I like looking at other people's photos.

It's a neat feature and I do like it, I just don't think I'd miss it all that much if it were to not be a thing.

This.

It's like "game tourism". How to view your game without playing it, or take a break from it.

I take a lot of screenshots, but don’t use photo mode because it completely takes me out of play. I like having the shots to share or remember a fun moment from, but only if I can snap them in the moment with a button press and without losing stride