One Shots: Top 10 best player screenshots of 2014
It's been a pleasure being your tour guide through a sea of player screenshots this year, and I can't wait to see what awesome pics you all will take in 2015. Before we get to the new year, however, I'm going to do something we've never done before here on One Shots: play favorites.
Actually, I went back through all of this year's columns and picked out 10 screenshots that I personally liked the best. I don't often comment on what I think of a picture or what makes one stand out over the others, so the end of the year seemed to be a good time to do this.
And I have one other special treat for you as well! Starting tomorrow, Massively will be putting out a single One Shots entry each day for the next two weeks. So if you've sent in a picture but have yet to see it posted in its full glory, then it may indeed happen over this holiday season!
1. Reader Bill (RIFT): This picture reminded me that devs often put kooky stuff into MMOs here and there, and sooner or later a player will combine all of them together and break immersion so hard that it logs you right out. Also, it's pretty funny.
2. Reader Azzura (Anarchy Online): This picture of the Grid from the game was so striking that I think we borrowed it for a number of AO posts thereafter. It looks sleek and modern, which are descriptions that I wouldn't normally put to this game.
3. Reader Amilton (Landmark): OK, I'll admit that sometimes base humor that makes my inner five-year-old giggle becomes a guilty pleasure of mine. This picture of a player-made statue with a green booger hanging out of the nose hit that spot for me.
4. Reader Dynatos (Final Fantasy XIV): Sometimes you just have to groove on a really good sunset. And this one is spectacular.
5. Reader Chris (Star Trek Online): One of my all-time favorite pictures, especially for its vertical nature. I love how the characters are almost silhouettes and there's so little atmosphere blocking the stars.
6. Reader Ralph the Wonder Llama (Firefall): Not only does this picture show some really incredible female armor that isn't a chainmail bikini, but I love it for the gorgeous dark hues and the touch of neon on her outfit.
7. Reader Chiara (Elder Scrolls Online): Sometimes a really good screenshot tells a story or at least hints at one, and this one does a spectacular job at doing just that. It's sad and weird and begs for an explanation.
8. Reader Balsbigbrother (The Secret World): Speaking of story pictures, this one is far more disturbing. It's filled with details, and it's hard to figure out what to look at first: the victim, the dolls, or the writing on the walls.
9. Reader Vunak (Star Wars: The Old Republic): This picture could be a poster. I could say that of a lot of SWTOR screenshots; it's a good-looking game.
10. Reader Crazyrabbit63 (WildStar): This made me laugh a lot, probably because the Chua looks like Grumpy Cat being given a bath. But I also appreciate it for the blue color scheme, which doth pleaseth my eyeballs.
Want to be featured in a future edition of One Shots? Send your favorite MMO screenshots to oneshots@massively.com, and don't forget to include your name, the name of the game, and a description of the scene. Large, colorful, UI-free shots that tell a story and really show off the game make for the best images. Look ma, we brought back One Shots!
