Discussion: In-game Photo Modes

[BossFloof]

What do you think of in-game photography?

I, personally, like if a game offers me the option to shoot photos in-game as an actual feature, to save some memories or actually just play around getting a cool shot in a particular scene.

That's one of the many reasons we implemented a Photo Mode in Nitro Girlz: Paradise, too. But we not only want to give our players the ability to shoot photos, but also make it a fun part of the game. So during dates, you can do photo shoots with your date and the pics are not only saved in the game, but are HQ shots saved to your drive.

So far we didn't really get a lot of feedback if that's something also other players enjoy as a feature. So let's discuss this here. I'd love to hear your opinions, maybe get some inspiration from games you liked that did it before and also what you expect from a good implementation.

Also, if you use external tools to record gameplay and shots, let me know what you use.

 

[Kinderalpha]

Damn, I can't think of any good reason not to have this. This sounds awesome!

EDIT: Maybe add an option to disable saving to hard-drive, but ensure accessibility at any point in the game. Players may not want to clutter hard-drive space with them. Or put an "export to PC" option.

 

[BossFloof]

We're implementing that as a setting, yeah.

 

[baloneysammich]

In the mainstream, Beyond Good and Evil and Bioshock had a camera the PC could use for rewards and such. BGE is one of my favorite games of all time, and despite being linear is one the only games I've played through more than once. In these games, it's a fairly simple, non-grindy way of implementing a sense of learning and discovery. At least, that's the appeal to me.

In porn games, a well executed photoshoot feature can provide some really arousing build up IMO. But because photography is an art rather than a science, it's hard to imagine ways to implement it as a unique and enjoyable gameplay feature.

Milfy City had a few photoshoot scenes where you suggested one of several poses and points were rewarded. It's been a while since I played it so I don't exactly remember the details. The reward was kind of arbitrary, and I'm generally not fond of arbitrariness. Nevertheless, I still remember it with more fondness than frustration.

One abandoned game (I don't recall the name) had a mini-game where you had to manipulate zoom and focus while the camera was "moving" over a scene as the girl was switching between different poses. Even with as much as I enjoy the concept, this was too frustrating for me.

A Family Venture implemented it in another way, but IIRC it was largely camouflaging grind.

 

[BossFloof]

Sonicomi is also doing a photo mode with scoring, you basically need to find the right spot in time to shoot the pic. But it's more a mini-game rather than taking actual photos.

I'll have to take a look at Milfy City, didn't play it yet as I was more looking into real-time 3D games.

Our idea is exactly that, using the photo shooting as a feature to build arousal and already get some teases and erotic moments before getting to the actual hardcore action. It's not that there's a goal attached to it, we're not forcing you. It's more an interaction to build the relationship with the girl, something to toy around to trigger a reaction and save some moments how you want them to be memorized as the player.