Photo Mode is my new gaming obsession

The Verge - Mar 22nd, 2025

The story explores a newfound fascination with photo modes in video games, highlighting two particular games noted for their stunning visual details and environments. Initially indifferent to the feature, the author experiences a change of heart after engaging with the detailed textures of clothing and the captivating landscapes of the Japanese countryside, which are so vividly rendered that they draw the player into a new creative endeavor—video game photography. The author describes how experimenting with camera settings within the games has led to impressive results, sparking a desire to continue developing this newfound skill.

This development underscores a broader trend in gaming where photo modes have evolved from a novelty to a meaningful form of artistic expression. The ability to pause a game and capture high-quality images blurs the line between reality and virtual worlds, offering players a new way to appreciate and engage with game design. This newfound interest in virtual photography highlights the potential for gamers to explore creative pursuits within digital landscapes and even transfer these skills to real-world photography.

Video Games Photo Mode Virtual Photography Gaming Trends Creative Expression

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

5.4

Moderately Fair

Read with skepticism

The article offers an engaging personal narrative about the author's newfound appreciation for photo modes in video games, particularly in 'Assassin's Creed Shadows' and 'Infinity Nikki'. While the story is clear and accessible, it lacks balance and source quality, as it relies solely on the author's experiences without external validation or diverse perspectives. The topic is timely and relevant to gamers, but its impact is limited to individual engagement rather than broader societal influence. The article's strengths lie in its clarity and relatable tone, while its weaknesses include a lack of factual support and limited exploration of different viewpoints. Overall, it provides an interesting insight into a niche aspect of gaming but could benefit from a more comprehensive approach to enhance its credibility and appeal.

Accuracy

The story makes several claims about the visual detail and photo mode features of the games 'Assassin's Creed Shadows' and 'Infinity Nikki'. These claims are subjective, focusing on the author's personal experience with the games' environments and the appeal of photo mode. While the level of detail in the games is praised, these are subjective observations and not backed by specific data or external sources, making them difficult to verify independently. The assertion that photo mode is a standard feature across modern games is broadly accurate but lacks specific examples or data to support its ubiquity. The article's accuracy is limited by its reliance on personal anecdotes rather than verifiable facts.

Balance

The article primarily reflects the personal perspective of the author, focusing heavily on their newfound appreciation for photo modes in video games. This singular viewpoint limits the balance, as the article does not explore alternative opinions or criticisms of photo modes. It could benefit from including perspectives from other gamers or developers on the utility and impact of photo modes. The lack of opposing viewpoints or broader industry context results in a somewhat one-sided narrative.

Clarity

The article is generally clear and easy to follow, with a conversational tone that makes the content accessible. The language is straightforward, and the structure logically progresses from the author's initial indifference to photo modes to their eventual appreciation. However, some sections could benefit from clearer delineation between different points or experiences, as the narrative occasionally jumps between topics without smooth transitions.

Source quality

The article does not reference any external sources or expert opinions, relying solely on the author's personal experiences and observations. This lack of source diversity and authority undermines the credibility of the claims made, as there is no external validation or evidence provided to support the author's assertions about the games or the photo mode feature. The absence of citations or references to developers or gaming experts limits the article's reliability.

Transparency

The article is transparent in that it clearly presents itself as an opinion piece, focusing on the author's personal experiences and thoughts. However, it lacks transparency in terms of disclosing any potential biases or conflicts of interest the author might have, such as affiliations with the gaming industry or specific game developers. While the subjective nature of the content is evident, more context about the author's background and potential influences could enhance transparency.