Photographer creates ultra-realistic photography video game
Matt Newell, a former photographer who transitioned into game development, has recently launched his latest video game, Lushfoil Photography Sim, which is now available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. This visually stunning and innovative game has been deemed the most realistic photography video game to date. In an exclusive interview with PetaPixel, Newell shared insights into his inspiration for Lushfoil, his creative process in developing the game, and the unique experience he aims to offer to photography enthusiasts and gamers alike.
The concept for Lushfoil stemmed from Newell’s early travels, particularly in countries like Italy, France, Japan, and New Zealand, where he was captivated by the landscapes and moments he captured through his camera lens. Recollecting these memories, Newell was inspired by modern video games to recreate these scenic environments using real-time 3D graphics. Drawing upon his travel photographs as references, he painstakingly reconstructed these locations in an effort to authentically portray his photo adventures.
As a self-taught game developer, Newell acquired the necessary skills through trial and error, resulting in the organic evolution of Lushfoil’s design. He adopted an iterative approach by releasing different game environments as standalone experiences and incorporating feedback from users to enhance the overall gameplay. Despite the challenges of working solo in developing a vast, detailed game using Unreal Engine 5, Newell remained focused on optimizing his workflows to deliver an immersive and visually striking experience to players.
In striving for photorealism, Newell sought to recreate his photographic compositions with remarkable accuracy, thereby allowing virtual photographers to explore and photograph these virtual landscapes. Apart from the lifelike environments, Lushfoil’s standout feature is its realistic depth of field, a technical achievement made achievable through Unreal Engine’s capabilities. Newell also delved into the complexities of designing realistic forests filled with lush vegetation, showcasing his technical prowess in balancing visual fidelity with smooth performance.
Given his solitary endeavor in creating Lushfoil, Newell prioritized his strengths in environment creation while ensuring that the game mechanics were engaging enough to captivate players. At its core, Lushfoil offers players a walking photography simulator experience, where they navigate the virtual world from a first-person perspective armed with a camera. By simulating real-world camera settings like shutter speed, aperture, and white balance, players can experiment with photographic techniques while embarking on challenges and missions to unlock new areas and hidden collectibles.
Newell’s deep-rooted passion for photography shines through in Lushfoil, providing players, both amateur and seasoned photographers, a platform to immerse themselves in the art of capturing moments in a virtual realm. With a rich tapestry of secrets and discoveries waiting to be unearthed, the game invites players to traverse its meticulously crafted landscapes and engage with the intricate details that define Newell’s vision for Lushfoil.