Prompto's photography skill is one way for players to look back on their adventures while taking some cool-looking shots in combat and showing it off to friends. However, there is actually another reason why Square Enix decided to implement the said feature in Final Fantasy XV.
The Main Reason For Photography In Final Fantasy XV
Dual Shockers reports that lead game designer, Prasert Prasertvithyakarn (aka Sun), discussed the game's photography feature during a panel at the Game Developers Conference (GDC) in 2017. He specializes in emotional AI wherein he tries to instill artificial intelligence with an illusion of emotions. During the event, he revealed that Prompto does not take random shots but actually generates "stylish smart-photos" from his perspective.
Furthermore, Sun was inspired by the road trip he had with his friends with some of them being camera fanatics. They took many pictures during their trip which gave him the idea to include a similar feature in the game. Eventually, he gave that role to Prompto who snaps plenty of in-game shots during some of the best moments in the game.
The Main Goals For Prompto's Photography
His photos have a few goals with one of them acting as some sort of achievement for the player as the character snaps pictures when reaching a new location or characters, as per Gamasutra. On the other hand, the photos also act as some kind of narrative feature wherein Prompto takes shots of off-screen events and moments which stirs the player's imagination. When fans see two or three characters in a photo together, there is a sense of hidden interaction as if they have some sort of private life outside the main game.
Finally, pictures must be fun and unique while giving players a way to share it on social media without much-needed effort. Since the images are automatic and random, rare shots like Ignis without his glasses give fans a reason to share it on the internet. There are also various trigger methods that take place before Prompto decides to take a picture.
Sun insisted that his personal goal for Final Fantasy XV was to create a narrative that was not solely dependent on cinematics and a linear script. He wants players to create their own stories and Prompto's photography is one tool they can use to do this. Those who want to experience the mechanic can buy the latest installment in the Final Fantasy franchise for the PS4 and Xbox One.
