“I still think Quantum Break deserved way more love” – Niqiu_vp
For August, our Spotlight VP artist of the Month is none other than Niqiu_vp, a virtual photographer whose journey through games and creativity has been nothing short of inspiring. From taking screenshots in The Sims 3 and Dragon Age: Inquisition, to experimenting with mods in Cyberpunk 2077 and Baldur’s Gate 3, Niqiu has grown into a creator whose work consistently showcases life and emotional storytelling. What makes their spotlight especially exciting is how their evolution reflects the heart of virtual photography itself: experimenting, sharing, and connecting with a community that feels more like family.
In our conversation with Niqiu, we talked about everything from their earliest gaming memories (Roller Coaster Tycoon, anyone?) to the kinds of shots that inspire them most. They shared stories of unexpected nominations, why Quantum Break remains a hidden gem for VP, and how collaboration with friends fuels their creativity. You’ll also find plenty of insights about their love for Remedy games, the cyberpunk genre, and how virtual photography has deepened their respect for real-life photographers.
If you’ve ever wondered what drives someone to keep picking up the controller, reloading photo mode, and finding new beauty in familiar games, this is an interview you won’t want to miss. Keep reading to discover Niqiu’s creative process.
Hi! What is your earliest memory of virtual photography and gaming?
Hello! Thank you for having me! My earliest memories in gaming would probably be Roller Coaster Tycoon and NFS: High Stakes. My earliest memory for VP, I think, is The Sims 3 which is kinda weird to think about because back then none of us in the community called it “virtual photography”, but that’s exactly what we were doing. Later on it became pressing the screenshot button on the PS4 controller and posting them to Instagram, in which I still had no idea that virtual photography was a thing. It was here that I spent A LOT of time taking screenshots in Dragon Age: Inquisition, Arkham Knight and then later games on that console.
Apart from PC, which other platform do you game on?
I play some games on PS5, but that’s usually only if the game is exclusive to that console. Aside from that, like everyone else, I have other consoles meant for playing older games!
What do you always look out for when you start a new game?
These days, I think the obvious answer is “it has a photo mode” or “I can run a mod to take photos in this game”. Other reasons would be the game being a continuation or a remaster of a game I’ve already been a fan of, the game having a well-written story and characters, or unique game mechanics.
Have you ever chosen to play (or replay) a game just because you wanted to photograph it?
Yes, I have! Besides the obvious replays of Cyberpunk, I feel the most recent I’ve gone back to are Remedy games. They’re easily my favorite game developer, and all of their games look and feel gorgeous, no matter the era.
Do you have any favourite photos that you've taken? If so, what makes them special to you?
There are too many to choose from! These are the ones that come to mind right now.
I was playing around as usual in Cyberpunk and I just liked how this pose and shot came out.
I wasn’t sure if I’d like this one, but after editing I think the colors came out pretty nice.
And another in which the colors came out nicely
Are your photos inspired by anything/people, i.e game devs or virtual photographers?
I don’t usually draw inspiration from anywhere except movies and music. I wouldn't say they’re a direct translation of a scene, but more of the aesthetic and feeling that movie or song gave me. I can only think of one shot I’ve done that was visually inspired by a well-known scene from Ghost in the Shell, since the area in the game is already a direct inspiration from the film.
If you could collaborate with another VP artist or gamer, who would it be, and what kind of project would you want to create together?
I’ve done and will continue collaborations with my friends. It sounds super cheesy, but I guess for me I just collab with people who I truly love and adore, so everything we’ve done is just for pure fun in this medium and just enjoying each other’s company through our common interest in art.
Has virtual photography changed the way you look at the real world or real-life photography?
I’m not a photographer in real life, so my chosen mediums don’t deal with a camera. VP however, has given me more respect for the real-life photographers I know in my personal life since they are all friends and family.
What’s one creative experiment you tried in photo mode that completely changed how you take photos now?
It’s super basic, but I try to take more landscape shots whenever I can because I used to only take portraits of characters. Branching out from what I’m comfortable with has improved everything I take now, I think.
What’s the most visually underrated game for virtual photography, in your opinion?
QUANTUM BREAK! There is a camera mod for the PC port! I’m a complete fanatic for this game because it unfortunately didn’t get the attention it deserved back in the day. It’s a game that still looks amazing with a unique story and visuals that are specifically tailored to that story. This also may just be my Remedy bias showing, haha. They have such a clear vision of what they want their games to look and feel like that it makes their games super appealing to photograph.
You share a lot of photos from Cyberpunk 2077 and Baldurs Gate 3. What draws you to these two games?
I have always been a HUGE fan of the cyberpunk genre, so CP2077 was like my dream game. The possibilities are truly endless once you start modding and really utilise all of those mods for VP. For Baldur’s Gate 3, I’d say the same with the mods benefiting more flexible VP, but it’s also just become a comfort game for many, including me, since I’ve met a lot of my good friends through it and still do a lot of VP within it with those friends.
If you could design your own photo mode, what 3 features would be a must-have?
The camera has to have a long amount of range. There has to be a lighting system to work with, as well as poses.
Is there a recurring “signature” in your shots that people would instantly recognise as yours?
I don’t think so? If there is, someone else tell me because I have no idea haha.
Can you share a gaming/virtual photography experience that had an emotional impact on you?
I keep shouting out my friends, but it’s true. VP has opened the door to friendships I’ve had for years now and I feel like we’ve been through so much together since then.
Do you have any game quotes that you stand by?
I can’t think of an exact quote, so I guess instead I’ll just say that I can relate to characters in games I’ve played that are very family and friend-oriented. Relying on those you love and the ones who love you back to get you through life. I guess Ichiban Kasuga is a great example from the Yakuza series.
What’s the best piece of feedback or reaction you’ve ever gotten on a shot?
The only time I entered The Photomode Awards was because a friend (lovingly) harassed me to, I got a nomination for a Robocop: Rogue City photo. That was unexpected but appreciated. And I guess my friend was right about it being worth entering. Don’t tell them I said that, though ;)
When did you first learn about Picashot?
I heard about y’all in your early days on Twitter and hopped in!
What’s your favorite Picashot feature?
Just being able to sort by games is nice. It’s a great place to find exactly what you’re looking for without having to dig through unrelated content like on other platforms.
Are there any features you'd like to see on Picashot?
I’ve been here since almost the beginning, so anything I’d suggest is stuff you guys have implemented over time or have fixed when I pointed it out. All I have to say is keep up the great work, and thanks for always listening to your community!
Any advice for aspiring virtual photographers who have no idea where to begin?
Just start sharing whatever you take and don’t worry about what the other person is doing. If you feel like you want to improve on something, we live in an age of endless resources. I literally just Google things I have questions on for basic photography, and that can be a starting point for a lot of people if they wish to take it further. There is ALWAYS something new to learn. At the end of the day, art should make you feel some sort of satisfaction for yourself and reflect a piece of who you are. Everyone has a unique vision; it just takes practice and personal reflection. Have fun and be open to learning something new every day.
Hope you enjoyed this conversation! Before you go…
Please share this with your friends who love virtual photography and gaming.