2025

Game Frame Magazine

Virtual Photography

GAME FRAME

November - November Rain

Capture by: Edward (edwardframes)

Editor's Note

Before diving into any kind of introduction, I want to begin by expressing my gratitude to my friend Nimmu (@niinakaniin.vp), who stepped in so quickly the moment I asked for help. The two captures you see in this segment of the magazine are just two of the seven she contributed for this month’s theme: November Rain. So — thank you, Nimmu, from the bottom of my heart. I appreciate all the support I’ve received so far, and I’m immensely grateful to have people I can lean on in times like these.

Now, let’s take a closer look at this third issue of Game Frame Magazine!

As some of you might have already guessed, this month’s theme is a tribute to one of my all-time favourite songs, November Rain by Guns N’ Roses. While it doesn’t directly tie into virtual photography, I think many of us can agree that music is a powerful source of inspiration — whether through its melody, its lyrics, or the emotions it stirs within us. The power of music truly is limitless.

I hope you enjoy reading this issue and that November is treating you kindly. And if not—remember: nothing lasts forever, even cold November rain.

Ella (StrawbElla)
Managing Editor

Featured Artist: Edward (edwardframes)

Social Media:

Through the Lens: The Cinematic Works of Edward

Introduction: “Hello, my name is Edward, and I am a video editor from Los Angeles. I am 26 years old, and I do virtual photography on PC. My interests include movies/TV shows, Settlers of Catan, and content creation.”

Feeling Blue (Cyberpunk 2077)

Meet the Photographer

Who or what inspired you to start posting virtual photography? When did you realise you were interested in it?

“It might sound silly, but I think good graphics are what inspired me to post. I already had experience with irl photography, but it never clicked for me to try out photography in-game. It was 2 years ago when I finally used photo mode for the first time. I started posting my shots online because I wanted others to experience the sense of awe I had when I was playing video games.”

Which was the first game you ever captured in?

“The first game I captured was God of War (2018). I was just amazed by the graphics at the time. But I didn't start posting my shots until I played Horizon Forbidden West. As you can imagine, I was even more amazed by its visuals. I became obsessed with capturing the beautiful environments of Horizon. I knew my captures had to be posted somewhere; there was no going back.”

How it All Begins

How do you usually begin a capturing session? Do you have a set routine, or do you create whenever you feel a spark of inspiration?

“I’m definitely a degenerate, so I take most of my captures late at night. Nighttime is when I feel the most creative.”

Finding Your Style

You’ve already mentioned a couple of video games you first started capturing in, and since then, the broad diversity of your photography has grown even more. Which games do you capture now? Do you have a favourite you’d like to point out?

“The main game I capture is Cyberpunk. I dabble with Horizon and God of War as well. I’d say my favorite is Cyberpunk because it really changed how I do VP. With other games, I am more reactive. Wherever the game would take me, I’d go and shoot it. With Cyberpunk, it's truly a game where any idea I have in my mind, I can go and execute it.”

Your virtual photography portfolio includes a variety of styles – from portraits to scenery, from action-packed scenes to those that bring a sense of calm to the observer. Which one would you say is your favourite to capture?

“I would say that portraits are my favorite type of shot. I am more drawn to captures that have emotion. It is harder for me to connect to an image if there is no human to look at. In my portraits, I try to be intentional in the emotion I’m conveying. I spend a good amount of time dialing in the right combo of facial expression and body pose for my characters.”

Which character or characters do you enjoy capturing the most, and why? Are they also your overall favourite video game character? Is there a quote of theirs that resonates with you?

“Panam, Judy, and Songbird from Cyberpunk are my top 3 favs to capture. I enjoy capturing them because the game gives me so much control of the outfits, expressions, and poses I can use. For my favorite character in general, it’s a toss-up between Nathan Drake and anyone from Mass Effect. My favorite quote is from Javik: -Stand amongst the ashes of a trillion dead souls, and ask the ghosts if honor matters. The silence is your answer.-”

Your work features a wide range of colours. Which colour-scheme do you most enjoy working with?

“I don’t have a specific color scheme that’s my favorite, but I lean towards a vibrant palette. What’s most important to me is that I don’t saturate every color. I aim for a limited number of colors, and I aim for certain colors to pop more than others.”

Cyberpunk 2077 (Cyberpunk 2077)

“Being creative does not mean you pull ideas out of thin air. It sounds counterintuitive, but when you’re narrowing down your ideas, that’s when your creativity starts flowing. ”
— Edward (edwardframes)

Cities and Pyramids (Cyberpunk 2077)

Horizon Forbidden West (Horizon Forbidden West)

From Capture to Masterpiece

I'd say you are very well known in the virtual photography community for your incredible editing skills. Which is your preferred app or software for editing your captures?

“I appreciate the kind words I’ve gotten for my editing, but to be honest, I think it's a bit of a misconception. Obviously, double exposures require a lot of editing. But for my regular captures, there is not a lot of post-processing going on. This year, I officially switched away from Adobe apps as the prices were getting ridiculous. I now use Affinity Photo for double exposures and poster-style images. For regular captures, I do all of my editing in Reshade. Reshade is basically a free software for PC games that lets you tweak the visuals of your game. I’d say it’s the equivalent of Lightroom and Photoshop put into one. In Reshade, I have my go-to effects, and I only tweak a couple as needed.”

You’ve already said a little bit about this, but how much would you say you work on your captures when you do decide to edit them? Is it small tweaks or full reworks?

“Most of the time, I’m only making small tweaks when editing. 95% of my shots stay close to the game’s original colors. Specifically for Cyberpunk, I use LUTs that modders have created. For those who are interested: I cycle between Nova lut, Hard lut, and GITS Legacy. (With the exception of CanvasFog in Reshade) I don't spend much time on editing at all. I spend much more time setting up my shots.”

How do you usually begin editing? Do you have a certain go-to routine, or do you figure it out along the way?

“As mentioned before, I have my go-to effects in Reshade. For those who are interested, I use a mix of effects from Marty’s Mods (Patreon subscription required) and effects like Levels and CanvasFog. I also use my own custom LUT that I imported into Reshade. The effects I use ensure my photos are always bright enough and have a consistent look.”

Do you have any editing tips or tricks to share for anyone who has just begun editing or who wishes to improve their skills/techniques?

“I think the emphasis should NOT be on editing. Anyone who wants to get better at VP should spend more time on composition and lighting. Experiment with different angles, field of view, time of day, outfits, etc. Creating the look you want starts before you hit the screenshot button, not after.”

Seeking Inspiration

What inspires you most when taking captures?

“I get inspired by movies, TV shows, album covers and paintings. But what inspires me even more than all of these is the work of other virtual photographers. Some posts just have me like, “Damn, that's good, let me try that.” I try to decipher what makes an image look good, and that'll make its way into my captures.”

Do you have any advice for VP artists who are struggling to feel inspired?

“If you are struggling to feel inspired, the solution that has helped me is: give yourself an objective. One of the easiest ways to set an objective is right in front of us all. There are countless VP pages (including this one!) that host themes/challenges for you to take part in. By intentionally setting a goal, your brain now has a clearer path in generating new ideas. Being creative does not mean you pull ideas out of thin air. It sounds counterintuitive, but when you're narrowing down your ideas, that's when your creativity starts flowing. So give yourself an objective. Is there a photography technique that you feel you are lacking in? Okay, maybe you can take a capture that focuses on that. Maybe you’ve been taking way too many portraits (talking to myself), now you can start taking more landscape or action shots. Give yourself an objective. The inspiration will follow.”

Allies in Art

What does virtual photography mean to you?

“To me, VP is an outlet to scratch that artistic itch we all have. I think we all have something we want to put out into the world. Virtual photography is the easiest way for any gamer to exercise their creativity.”

You said that the creative aspect of being part of this community brings you a lot of inspiration. Is there anything else about the virtual photography community that you’d want to highlight?

“My favorite thing about the VP community is how unique we all are. Not just in terms of photography style, but as individuals, too. I think it's pretty cool to have people from different parts of the globe sharing the same hobby. I would not be here today if it weren't for those kind souls who welcomed me with open arms. I hope I can do the same for the next person.”

God of War (God of War)

Save & Exit

Virtual photography might look simple from the outside, but there’s a world of nuance behind each shot — and I know many of us deeply admire the artistry Edward brings to it. His reminder not to focus too much on post-editing, but instead on the strength of the raw capture, is such powerful and grounded advice. Thank you, Edward, for taking the time to take part in this interview and for being such a bright spark of inspiration within the virtual photography community. The way you see and frame the world is incredible, and the work you create is consistently breathtaking. I cannot wait to see what you create next!

Article by: Ella (StrawbElla)

Photography by: Edward (edwardframes)

Featured games: Horizon Forbidden West © Guerrilla / Sony Interactive Entertainment; God of War © Santa Monica Studio  / Sony Interactive Entertainment; Cyberpunk 2077 © CD Projekt Red / CD Projekt.

It’s time to celebrate the winners of the November theme — November Rain.

While this month’s theme leaned towards a calm, melancholic atmosphere, the artists exploring these different video game worlds still managed to capture a certain spark that’s almost indescribable. It’s a feeling of nostalgia — perhaps a quiet reminder of those rainy days we’ve all undeniably spent curled up under a blanket, playing our favourite games.

In the Spotlight: November Rain Winners

"Even in the darkness of winter, rain brings life, and makes the moments of sunshine all the more wonderful." – Beck (they/them) (@beck.infocus)

"Even in the darkness of winter, rain brings life, and makes the moments of sunshine all the more wonderful." – Beck (they/them) (@beck.infocus)

"This piece focuses on the moody atmosphere of Night City, usually surrounded by constant chaos. As chaotic as it is, there’s so much beauty in Night City that we tend to forget. V is a special character, but what is Night City to the average person

"This piece focuses on the moody atmosphere of Night City, usually surrounded by constant chaos. As chaotic as it is, there’s so much beauty in Night City that we tend to forget. V is a special character, but what is Night City to the average person living here?" A quote this capture reminds me of: "Every storm here washes the neon clean, but never the memories." – Brielle (@sleepsector_77)

"I knew right away that I wanted to capture the rain in a reflective rice paddy. I was able to change the cloud position and time of day to further silhouette Atsu and her shadow, creating a simple yet emotive composition." – David (@spideroftsushim

"I knew right away that I wanted to capture the rain in a reflective rice paddy. I was able to change the cloud position and time of day to further silhouette Atsu and her shadow, creating a simple yet emotive composition." – David (@spideroftsushima)

"Rain is melancholy. Sometimes, when the sky turns cloudy, I feel different, and my emotions shift. Rain refreshes and soothes, but thoughts begin to surface in the quiet of the rain." — Eduarda (@aloyhrz)

"Rain is melancholy. Sometimes, when the sky turns cloudy, I feel different, and my emotions shift. Rain refreshes and soothes, but thoughts begin to surface in the quiet of the rain." — Eduarda (@aloyhrz)

It feels like every month is packed with gaming news, and November has been no exception. With plenty of releases behind us and an exciting lineup of updates and new titles coming this festive December, there’s a lot to look forward to. This month has been a bit hectic on my end, and I haven’t been able to cover as much gaming news as I usually would — but I hope you’ll still find something here that sparks your interest!

Patch Dispatch: Upcoming Updates & Reviews

  • Futuristic battlefield with soldiers in combat gear overlooking a city under attack, with explosions, smoke, and fighter jets in the sky, promoting the Battlefield 6 video game.

    Dispatch – All Episodes Have Been Released; What's the Verdict?

    Dispatch is a superhero workplace–comedy–style game developed and published by AdHoc Studio. Released episodically between October 22 and November 12, 2025, it quickly built up a wave of enthusiasm — and now that all episodes are out, that excitement hasn’t faded in the slightest. The game has earned overwhelmingly positive reviews across platforms, thanks in part to its unconventional structure. While it doesn’t follow a classic gameplay formula, Dispatch delivers a gripping, choice-driven narrative where the player's decisions help shape the unfolding events.

    Set in a version of Los Angeles where superpowered individuals live alongside ordinary humans, Dispatch explores a world in which, naturally, not everyone uses their abilities responsibly. To keep chaos in check, an organisation known as SDN was established — and it’s here that the game’s protagonist, Robert Robertson, finds himself employed. Once known as Mecha Man, Robert is forced into a call-centre role as a dispatcher after losing his “powers” when his suit is destroyed.

    The game blends two main systems: branching dialogue choices and timed decisions reminiscent of those seen in Until Dawn — though without the same level of intensity. Characters remember some of the choices the player makes, and the game highlights this with on-screen prompts similar to the butterfly-effect cues in the Life Is Strange series. While not every decision alters the larger narrative, each one adds weight to the journey, culminating in an ending that reflects the path the player has taken.

    For those interested in experiencing Dispatch, it’s available on the PlayStation Store (PS5) and Steam (Microsoft Windows). More information can also be found on AdHoc Studio’s official website.

    Image © 2025 AdHoc Studio

  • Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora - From the Ashes Edition -PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Ubisoft Connect (PC), Amazon Luna (Release Date: December 19th, 2025)

    Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, released nearly two years ago in 2023 by Massive Entertainment and Ubisoft, is about to receive a major new addition: the From the Ashes DLC. Inspired by the upcoming Avatar movie, Fire and Ash, the DLC will launch alongside the Floating Mountains bonus content — available through pre-order — which adds new mount colours and other cosmetic customisation options. Players will also be getting a free update, introducing a long-requested third-person mode, giving the game a more personalised, player-centred feel.

    From the Ashes shifts the focus to the Ash Clan, bringing new cultural depth and tension to Pandora’s world. It also introduces a new playable character whose story is shaped by loss and revenge, hinting at a darker and perhaps more emotionally driven narrative direction.

    Pre-orders are already open on Ubisoft’s official site, but beyond that, the announcement itself has stirred up excitement among fans. Whether you’re already immersed in Frontiers of Pandora or simply eager to explore Pandora’s vibrant landscapes as a fan of the films, this upcoming chapter already feels like a promising new step for the game’s universe.

    Image © 2025 Ubisoft / Massive Entertainment

  • Two characters, dressed in adventure gear, standing on a pile of items amidst a chaotic, ruined environment with debris and twisted metal, holding hands in a smoky, fiery setting. They are the main characters from the Little Nightmares 3 co-op game.

    Assassin's Creed Shadows is Coming to Nintendo Switch (Release Date: December 2nd, 2025)

    Back in October, Ubisoft announced some exciting news for Assassin’s Creed fans. In addition to the updates and new content released over the past two months, the developers confirmed that the game, Assassin's Creed Shadows, will officially be arriving on Nintendo Switch this December.

    For anyone who has been waiting to play on this platform, here’s the important part: the Switch version will include all recent updates and bonus content except for the Claws of Awaji expansion, which is expected to arrive around the New Year. Players will also be able to continue their progress through Ubisoft Connect, making the transition to Switch seamless for those who’ve already started their journey elsewhere.

    The game will be available for purchase on the official Nintendo Store, and anyone looking for more details can check out Ubisoft’s official website.

    Image © 2025 Ubisoft / Ubisoft Entertainment