History Main / FirstPersonSnapshooter

* ''GravityBone'': "PHOTO-GRAPH THE FIVE BIRDS." Maybe something of a subversion, since each bird [[MadeOfExplodium self-destructs]] when you take its picture, so collecting photos may not be the real goal.

* Another old one, with a decent level of justification, the video game interpretation of ''{{Darkman}}'' had “Camera stages” where you ran through a basic Hogan's Alley taking shots of your next target. The actual ''{{Darkman}}'' required photographs to craft his disguises, so this is somewhat justified, although for some reason, the more pictures you took increased the amount of time he could stay in disguise, instead of just how good the mask looked.

* ''{{Bioshock}}'' has you acquire and use a “Research Camera” as part of the plot. Using the camera to take photos of various enemies can grant you combat bonuses against them, and even power-ups! In the sequel's single-player mode, it's replaced by a video camera, which gives you more points for using a variety of attacks on the subject.

** Comes back in ''Bioshock 2'' multiplayer, although it's [[{{Nerf}} Nerfed]] considerably (it only allows you a small, circumstantial bonus against the person you snapped, no rewards for you)

* In one level of ''[[{{Hitman}} Hitman 2: Silent Assassin]]'', you are given a camera and instructed to photograph two thugs after killing them.

* The ''EndlessOcean'' games cast the main character as, among other things, a freelance photographer for diving magazines. Taking and selling pictures of various aquatic wildlife is an easy way to make money in the game. The second game tells you what (in theory) makes for a good picture by the game's standards.

** ''San Andreas'', ''Vice City'', and ''IV'' also feature a mission or two where you play photographer to get some photos, preferably covertly.

** If you wait until the fourth Act to obtain the Camera in ''MetalGearSolid4'', you'll find Otacon used it to take some photographs of Naomi.
* ''PokemonSnap'' (really a RailShooter in disguise) had this as its central premise.

* ''GrandTheftAutoSanAndreas'', which had you [[CollectionSidequest taking pictures of photograph icons]] spread throughout the environments. The pictures actually end up as screenshots in the game's folder.

* The ''MetalGearSolid'' series. Taking pictures is required at least once in the series, and numerous {{Easter Egg}}s are available by snapping up photos of random innocuous things. Depending on what you snap you can find ghosts, have your CO call you a pervert, and confirm your best friend's doubts about your sexuality.
** If you wait until the fourth Act to obtain the Camera in ''MetalGearSolid 4'', you'll find Otacon used it to take some photographs of Naomi.

* In ''FinalFantasyXI'', an entire side game known as "Pankration" exists that requires "capturing" monsters in a camera like device to be later summoned for a [[MonsterArena Pokemon-like arena battle]]. The photos were later used to fund a new type of BonusBoss fights, likely to drive some traffic towards Pankration as well.

The increasingly common gameplay mechanic that has the player taking pictures of enemies, items, {{NPC}}s, or features in the environment. This comes in two basic forms: as a sidequest, and as the whole point of a Hidden Object game.

** Unfortunately, in GrandTheftAutoIV, the camera on your cell phone [[DummiedOut does not actually save any pictures or do anything useful.]]

* In the first ''BatenKaitos'', this is the only way to make money beyond the rare gimick magnus that can be sold (and you want to keep most of them for them to finish [[EvolvingWeapon changing]] to register them instead of sell). The ammount the photos sell for depends on a number of factors, but the most common are distance (proceeding with a melee attack to get close is often to your benefit), lighting (Light and dark attacks before the camera will make the photo brighter or darker, and getting the balance right is key), and if the enemy blocks the photo (less money resulting). Thankfully, 2-4 "decent" photos (less if you don't keep boss photos as a BraggingRightsReward or get some perfect shots) is all it takes clear out every shop of their (limited but slowly respawning) inventory.

* ''PokemonSnap'' (really a {{Rail Shooter}} in disguise) had this as its central premise.

* ''SuperSmashBros. Melee'' had a Camera Mode that allowed players to take in-game photographs of their battles from various angles. And in case you wondering, yes you can do ''[[PantyShot that]]'', too.

* One quest in ''WorldOfWarcraft'' has the player take a newfangled gnomish image capture device called the "Super Snapper FX" and take a picture of a dangerous turtle. Unfortunately, the flash from the camera makes the turtle more than a little mad. When the picture is taken, an item is left in the player's inventory that shows an image of the turtle.

** Naturally, since ''Bioshock'' is basically "''SystemShock'' 3" and its use is similar to the method for researching monsters and objects in ''SystemShock 2'', though that involved using chemicals found in storerooms.

* ''VideoGame/{{Anachronox}}'', the ''Quake 2''-engine [=RPG=], had this. The main character is a private detective, however, so it makes some sense. He doesn't do much detective work with it during the game, instead spending his time taking pictures of [[CollectionSidequest rare and fantastic things]].

* The "World Adventures" expansion pack for ''TheSims 3'' adds the Photography skill. You can buy a camera, take pictures, and put them up around your house or sell them.

* ''VideoGame/FalloutNewVegas'' has a quest where you have to take pictures of landmarks to give to [[PenName Michael Angelo]], an agoraphobic neon sign designer in need of inspiration.

* ''{{Fallout New Vegas}}'' has a quest where you have to take pictures of landmarks to give to [[PenName Michael Angelo]], an agoraphobic neon sign designer in need of inspiration.

* ''DonkeyKong 64'' had a camera that allowed you to "capture" banana fairies for inventory upgrades.

* ''VideoGame/Rhythm Heaven'''s Freeze Frame.

** ''TheLegendOfZeldaTheWindWaker'' featured an elaborate {{Sidequest}} that involved taking pictures of nearly every character in the game. Which had copious amounts of GuideDangIt and LostForever moments, a camera that could only hold 3 pictures at a time and no way of knowing if the pictures were acceptable until you took them to the sculptor... which meant it was often too late to get more if they were rejected. It ''is'' possible to get the entire gallery filled during the first playthrough, but it requires a lot of planning ahead and ''never'' saving before you get your pictures approved.

* In one level of ''[[{{Hitman}} Hitman 2: Silent Assassin]], you are given a camera and instructed to photograph two thugs after killing them.

* ''DarkCloud 2''. You take pictures of objects in your surroundings, and then using combinations of those photos as inspiration, [[ItemCrafting create new items]]. You can also snap pictures of Palm Brinks' inhabitants, who will mug for the camera in their own special pose. Getting particularly difficult snapshots, such as bosses or unique enemy attacks, would also net you points and rewards.

* [[The iDOLM@STER Gravure for You Videogame/TheIdolmaster]] - That's the whole premise of the game.

* The visual novel {{Morenatsu}} gives us good ol' Kounosuke Kuri. In fact, he almost is never seen without his trusty camera!

** The main character of ''Snap'' made two appearances in the ''[[Anime/{{Pokemon}} Pokémon]]'' anime. The first was obviously to promote the game, and the second was one of a few recurring appearances from Indigo League characters in Johto. There was also a prolonged appearance in the manga, as Emerald's pseudo-sidekick. ''Heart Gold'' and ''Soul Silver'' gained this too.

* ''SuperSmashBros. Melee'' had a Camera Mode that allowed players to take in-game photographs of their battles from various angles. And in case you wondering, yes you can do ''[[PantyShot that]]'', too. [[spoiler:Zelda wears pantyhose, and Peach has pink bloomers.]] (In fact, you can do ''that'' out of camera mode, as well. It's just more difficult and doesn't save to the memory card.)
** ''Brawl'' allows you too as well, except that [[spoiler: Zelda now has a panty line]], and [[spoiler: Peach has changed from granny panties a tight, lacy number.]]

* The ''SlyCooper'' games, especially 2 and 3, have areas where Sly uses his all-purpose gadget to take some reconnaisance pictures. One mission does use the ghost-trapping idea, though. Still, a natural thing for a thief to do before major operations.
** Every respectable thief captures ghosts, that's the original meaning of the word "thief"...

* There's a ''VideoGame/MarioParty'' minigame where you have to take pictures of your opponents while you're in a giant hedge maze.