Borderlands 4 Adds Long-Awaited Photo Mode in Major Update

Gearbox Software released a major update for Borderlands 4 on January 29, 2026, adding Photo Mode to the game. This feature lets players take pictures of their characters and the world of Kairos during gameplay. The update came four months after the game's launch in September 2025 and follows a smaller patch in mid-January. Players can now pause to snap shots in single-player or keep playing in multiplayer while adjusting their photos.

Background

Borderlands 4 came out in September 2025 and drew big crowds at first. Steam saw over 300,000 players online at the same time right after launch. But numbers dropped fast. By late 2025, only about 10,000 players stayed active daily on Steam. In January 2026, peaks hit just over 10,000, with most days around 5,000. Fans kept asking for Photo Mode, a tool seen in many other games to capture moments without leaving the action.

The game takes place on Kairos, where players hunt vaults as Vault Hunters. It mixes fast shooting with loot collection in a world full of mayhem and quiet spots. Gearbox, the developer, and 2K Games, the publisher, promised updates to keep things fresh. This January patch builds on the mid-January one, which boosted drop rates for top loot from bosses and improved skills for characters like Harlowe and Amon.

Photo Mode has been on player wish lists since before launch. Other Borderlands games had basic screenshot tools, but nothing this full. Gearbox worked on it quietly while fixing bugs and balancing gameplay. The feature rolled out to all platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X.

Key Details

The January 29 update packs more than just Photo Mode. It reworks Harlowe's Zero-Point Action Skill, a key ability for that character. Ultimate Vault Hunter Mode now scales loot drops better, so endgame play feels more rewarding. Developers also fixed performance issues, like cutting extra lights and adjusting enemy spawns in busy areas. Cinematics now run smoother at higher frame rates.

How Photo Mode Works

Players open Photo Mode from the pause menu anytime during regular play, but not in cutscenes or split-screen co-op. In single-player, the game pauses so you can set up your shot without rush. In online multiplayer, action keeps going, but you can hide other players to avoid photobombs.

Controls let you move the camera like normal. Tabs cover different settings. Lens options include field of view for wide or tight shots and camera roll for angles. Depth of field blurs parts of the image: turn it on, set focus distance, region, and strength.

Screen tweaks cover brightness, contrast, saturation, and gain for light and color. Gameplay settings change time of day for lighting, and toggle players, NPCs, summons, damage numbers, and enemies on or off. Film filters add styles like Cinematic, Toxin, Moody, or Acid Funk, with grain and intensity sliders. Vignettes darken edges, while bloom, chromatic aberration, and lens flare add flair.

To save, use platform tools: F12 or Print Screen on PC, Share button on PS5, Capture on Xbox. Files go to your usual screenshot folder.

"You've always made hunting Vaults on Kairos look good; now you can prove it to the world with Borderlands 4's new Photo Mode!" – Gearbox Software

Weekly activities refresh too, giving new goals. Gear changes and visual fixes round out the patch.

What This Means

Photo Mode gives players a way to share their adventures easily. Vault Hunters can post mayhem shots or calm landscapes from Kairos, building community buzz. It might pull back some lapsed players who skipped the game without this tool. The feature works across single and multiplayer, so groups can capture team moments, even if the world keeps moving.

Beyond this, Gearbox shared a look ahead. They plan quality-of-life fixes soon, like multiple active Big Encore Machines for easier farming and better difficulty options. Shared character progression across saves is coming, along with cross-save support. Endgame gets more with possible Takedowns, tough raids from past games.

Player counts may not spike huge, given the drop since launch. But steady updates signal the game stays supported through 2026. Loot tweaks and skill changes help solo and group play balance better. Performance boosts make busy fights smoother, fixing spawn overloads.

This patch shows Gearbox listens to feedback. Fans wanted Photo Mode, and it arrived with deep options matching big titles. Future plans hint at longer life for Borderlands 4, keeping vaults open for new hunters. Developers aim to grow the endgame, drawing players back for harder challenges and better loot pools. The roadmap keeps the series alive, blending quick fixes with big additions.