Photo mode

Ananta has not yet launched globally. This page includes details from official posts, developer interviews, hands-on previews, and the January 2026 Closed Beta Test as of February 22, 2026. Specific photo mode features such as filters, poses, and depth-of-field controls have not been detailed by the developer.

Overview

Ananta features an in-game phone that doubles as the player's central interface device. One of its core features is a selfie and camera system that lets players photograph their surroundings and take pictures with NPCs. The phone serves multiple purposes beyond photography, including character switching, navigation, and social interactions, but its camera function is one of the most visually prominent features in early marketing.

Selfie integration

In several trailers, the game opens with the main character (the Captain) pulling out their phone and snapping a selfie alongside NPCs. This is not just a cinematic flourish. The selfie system appears to be a playable feature woven into everyday life in Nova City. Multiple preview outlets have compared the mechanic to the iFruit camera in GTA, noting how both games blend social-media-style photography with open-world gameplay.

The phone is used as a diegetic UI device, meaning it exists within the game world rather than being an abstract menu. When the player opens it, the character physically holds the phone on screen. From there, they can access the camera alongside other phone functions.

What we know and what we do not

As of the CBT1 build and available trailers, the camera feature has been shown in action but its full feature set remains unclear. There is no confirmed breakdown of:

• Photo filters or post-processing effects

• Pose selection or expression controls

• Depth-of-field or manual focus adjustments

• Photo storage, sharing, or in-game social media posting

It is also unclear whether the selfie camera is a standalone "Photo Mode" (the kind where time freezes and you get a free camera) or strictly a social feature integrated into the phone's normal operation. The phone itself is confirmed to handle multiple functions, so the camera may be one panel among many rather than a dedicated mode.

Connection to other systems

Photography could tie into the game's broader reputation system and social media influence mechanics. Since Ananta includes an in-game social media platform where NPC reactions shape how the city treats you, it would be a natural fit for photos to play a role in building the player's public profile. However, this connection has not been officially confirmed.

For broader details on the phone as a gameplay device, see the overview page. For the character switching function accessible from the same phone, see team switching.

Sources

• Official Ananta news feed (accessed February 22, 2026)

• TechWiser, GTA + Spiderman + Ananta comparison (accessed February 22, 2026)

• Gematsu game page (accessed February 22, 2026)