Monday
Mar152010
Photo Shootout, a photography game coming to the iPhone soon
Monday, March 15, 2010 at 7:09PM | Glyn Evans What is Photo Shootout?
- Photo Shootout is a pro photographer sim[ulator] game for the iPhone and iPod Touch.
- Shoot beautiful in-game models, edit, sell and show-off your professional photos. Earn money from your published photos to buy better camera equipment - Shoot, repeat until famous!
Why is it Unique and Interesting?
- What if a pro photographer on a high stakes fashion and beauty shoot handed you a camera, and challenged you to a shootout? Now with Photo Shootout, you can experience the challenge, glamour, fame and fortune of being a pro photographer anywhere, anytime on your iPhone and iPod Touch.
What Segment?
- Photo Shootout spans two categories; Photography and Sim Games.
What do you get?
- 11 Photographic Assignments
- 3 Gorgeous professional female models
- Models in Bathing suits and close-up
- Professionally shot footage
- 3 Training modules
- No previous photo experience required
Price?
- $4.99 with a release special price of $2.99
When will it be Available?
- Estimated release date in App store; 16 March, 2010
tagged Photo Shootout in Game, News
Photo Shootout in Game, News
Reader Comments (13)
Wow that seems like a dumb game
second that. doesn't seem like something that would really appeal to any photographer.
@Jmads, @Mikkers, I agree, but this is the first game to my knowledge that is based around photography, and for some this may be seen as a bit of lighthearted fun.
They have missed out the obvious online dimension. The game would be infinitely more interesting if players can submit their shoots to a website and earn 'money' based on votes gained etc.
It's actually a lot more challenging than you think.
First you've got to set the Aperture, Shutter Speed and ISO as quickly as possible, then you have to shoot exposures at the right "moments" within the video stream to get a good score. On the higher levels the exposure "drifts" once or twice during your Assignment period and so you have to reset it again.
Think of it more as a time based photographer's puzzle.
I wanted to keep the promo video short and sweet so that the message was clear.
Do you think I should produce a second promo that explains the more sophisticated aspects of the game?
Always looking for ways to improve Photo Shootout.
Thanks,
The PSO team.
@psikat - I think a social community aspect would really enhance the game as well. High score lists and voting would really enhance the game and encourage you to replay levels for a maximum score.
@PhotoShootout - Thanks for chiming in! I really appreciate it when developers take an interest in their own games and reach out the community. I didn't mean to be so harsh on Photo Shootout, but it just seemed sort of basic and "look at the scantily glad girls in the bathing shoots" game aimed more towards guys. Perhaps a more even balance of some male models (in swim trunks as well!) would widen your audience base?
With the addition of aperture, shutter speed, and ISO I can see how this would become a more technical and enjoyable game. The featured promo video, however, makes it seem as if we are just clicking the shutter whenever the model poses her face to us.
@Mikkers - I agree with you about more diverse content for shooting within Photo Shootout.
Version 2 will actually have a "Makertplace" concept within the game so you can download many different kids of shooting content (eg; Xtreme sports, wild life, male models, portrait subjects etc...) It's the equivalent of game levels - but of your choosing.
In creating Photo Shootout version 1 we had a very limited budget so hard decisions needed to be made. Thus the assignments are limited to beauty and bathing suits.
@psikat - Also we will definitely explore ways of integrating Photo Shootout with social networking.
I have a section in the game where users to submit their thoughts and ideas for future additions. Also you can join the Playhaven Fan community and start conversations about upgrades and additions you like to see within future versions of Photo Shootout.
So it all starts with PEOPLE LIKE YOU BUYING Photo Shootout when it's available (I am hoping within the next week or so) play it and let our team know what you want to see in future versions - That way we can enjoy making a game you enjoy playing.
Thanks,
Photo Shootout Team
http://photoshootoutapp.com
P.S. We will put together another video preview with more of the hard-core photo/gaming functionality revealed. Check out the website in a couple of days.
@PhotoShootout - thanks for taking into account our opinions and I look forward to seeing this game released. It's just a first version, so I know that there will be kinks to work out. With the special release price of just $3, I'll definitely give it a try!
It's an interesting looking app for sure. When reading the description though I was left with the impression that we would literally be using a live view camera capturing "models" of our choosing.
If it's meant to be a puzzle game for photographers to stay sharp then does that mean the settings you change on the camera accurately represent real world adjustments?
oh yeah, it's the 17th.....was it released under another name because I can't find it, or was it another victim of the app approval process?
@Leon - Photo Shootout DOES NOT USE the iPhone's onboard camera. The assignments are all included with the App. Future versions of the App will support a much wider range of Assignment subjects.
Photo Shootout actually simulates the controls of a real DSLR camera. If your exposure is off by 2 stops then the image will appear too dark or too light. You will then have to use any combination of Aperture, Shutter Speed or ISO (dials in the game) to correct the exposure so that the image looks properly exposed and the Actual Exposure Dial is set to "0" - meaning a correct exposure.
When you press the shutter release the program assesses your exposure; (if it is correct or off and by how much), whether you are breaking any rules like extremely high ISO, slow shutter speed or aperture open all the way. It then checks the frame number of the exposure (it's a video stream that appears in the viewfinder) and checks it's score number (a blinking model would score poorly, a "winner" frame would score well). And it also checks which camera equipment you own from the built-in camera store (better equipment scores you more money and better tear sheets).
So a lot is going on when you play this game and it takes both photography skills, gaming skills and an intuitive sense of you subject (all the models work the camera differently - human nature) to get good at the game.
As for the release date - We are currently looking at submitting the App to the iTunes App store the week of March 22nd (next week) and we are hoping for a quick turn-around.
You can also keep up to date by visiting our Blog
I hope this helps explain more about the game. I will be creating some more videos ASAP to show off more of the sophisticated game play.
Thank you for your interest. I look forward to your thoughts once you've played the game.
Regards
The Photo Shootout Team
Website
Blog
Hello all,
Great news, Apple has approved Photo Shootout for the iTunes App store!!!
We will be releasing the App on May 27, 2010.
Photo Shootout will be on sale for a limited time down from $4.99 to $2.99 so please go to the iTunes App store (after the 27th) and snap it up!
The Photo Shootout Team.
http://photoshootoutapp.com/
http://photoshootoutapp.wordpress.com/
Wow i must buy,it seems to be nice one..