Randy Pitchford has explained why they delayed Photo Mode for Borderlands 4.
Why Do Fans Expect Photo Mode In Modern Games?
Today, gamers expect most modern games to have a Photo Mode. It’s certainly expected for games that are sold on their graphics and performance.
This is about more than just taking screenshots of the game. Photo Mode creates an opportunity for fans to get creative in the game.
Photo Mode Debuted On Borderlands 3
Borderlands, Borderlands 2, and Borderlands The Pre-Sequel all did not come with Photo Mode. At the time Gearbox made these games, it was not as expected to have these features. At the same time, this feature was not quite expected yet.
Borderlands 3 was a definite spotlight for the performance of the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, as well as Gearbox’s ability to deliver a beautiful game. Gearbox added photo mode to PC, and then on consoles a few months after that.
This was not a simple snapshot mode, as you could pause the game and take the time to use filters, toggle visual effects, etc. Whether you just wanted to meme, or you were going for something artistic, Gearbox gave you what you needed.
Before Borderlands 4 launched, Gearbox said they were also planning to bring photo mode to the new game. But now we have a better understanding for why.
Randy Pitchford Lays It All Out (For Some Reason)
Pitchford talked up the prospect of photo mode in Gearbox’s Borderlands 4 presentation in last weekend’s PAX AU. He said this:
We love adding stuff and we’ve got other things that we’re working on. Like for example, photo mode.
We’ve done photo modes in the past and it takes energy and takes time. We made the decision to prioritize that energy and time on game design.
And we heard from some of you saying bring back photo mode. We really love it.
And you know what? It’s pretty cool because I love it. All of us love it when we see people who love our games being creative with it and using photo mode to create beautiful art and sharing that.
And I think that helps too. I think that helps spread the word and it. When we love something, it’s awesome to spread the word and invite other people to join into it. So, we’re adding photo mode.
Will Photo Mode Also Come To Borderlands 4 In The Switch 2?
We do wonder if Gearbox will also be able to deliver this feature on the Switch 2. The studio recently delayed Borderlands 4 for Nintendo’s platform indefinitely.
Nintendo fans probably welcomed the delay. Since the game debuted poorly on other platforms, they expect the Switch 2 version to have these issues taken care of. It’s just a shame we don’t have a timeframe to get it.
Gearbox was not able to bring photo mode for Borderlands 3 on the original Switch. But that seemed understandable, since the Nvidia SOC in that console wasn’t quite as powerful as other platforms.
Gearbox made their own ‘impossible’ port to that platform, but those ports usually come with necessary compromises. We’re now waiting to see if Gearbox can deliver for Nintendo fans when they finally get that port released.
