50 Real Photos That Look Like They’re Straight Out Of A Video Game Or Movie (New Pics)
Interview With ExpertGaming has come a long way since a physicist invented what's believed to be the world’s first video game in 1958. Tennis For Two was, to say the least, a very basic game. There was a tennis court represented by just two lines: one being the ground, the other being the net. The ball was a mere dot that bounced back and forth. And the game was unable to keep score for players.
Today, there are estimated to be more than 3 billion gamers globally. They’re able to play against each other in real time, communicate via headsets, and get lost in a virtual world that looks very real. The industry has opened the door to a whole new niche known as video game art. And for some, a career path as a video game illustrator. But no matter how real a video game scene looks, it's still carefully created.
On the other end of the spectrum, there are real-life photographs that look like they come straight out of a video game or movie scene. We've scoured the depths of the 'net to find the most gamey-looking pics for your scrolling pleasure. Let us know your favorites by upvoting them. And don't miss the chat Bored Panda had with gamer, illustrator and animator Romy Latter. She’s the co-founder of Unsigned Double Collective, an indie studio that creates games.
This post may include affiliate links.
There Is A House Near Me That Looks Like It’s Out Of A Fairytale
Brier, Thanks. Wiki says it was completed in 1921 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spadena_House
Load More Replies...It was an architectural fad of it's time. Oakland and Berkeley, CA have pockets of these houses too. Totally cute!
This Looks Like A Screenshot From A Video Game But Is Actually A Real Altar From An Entire Church Carved Underground In A Salt Mine In Poland
Wieliczka Salt Mine near Krakow, Poland. Absolutely stunning. There's a carving of the famous Last Supper paining in the largest chapel along with a statue of Pope John Paul II, who was born near Krakow, carved out of the rock salt.
So many people want to get married here. But tourists are ruining it. Influencers 🙄
I Drove Into A Deep Winter Forest At Night, And It Looks Like In Some Stephen King Story
This photo looks like it belongs on a NatGeo magazine cover. I love it.
Romy Latter was on holiday when Bored Panda reached out to her. But the animator, illustrator and game developer happily agreed to take some time out from her R&R to chat to us about one of her biggest passions: gaming and game development. Latter runs an indie gaming studio, alongside her husband Lasse, so she knows a thing or two about the importance of visuals when it comes to gaming.
"I worked in animation for a long time as a 3d artist and my husband worked as a developer and we've always wanted to work on something together that combines both our skills, that's where our little studio Unsigned Double started," said Latter during our chat.
"Making games is so different to making animation or art or any of the other things I'd done in the past because of the way people interact with it. It combines so many mediums. I find it really challenging and fulfilling to create something that (hopefully, if you do it right) immerses people and brings them a bit of joy or fun."
At The Right Time Of Day, My Dog's Favorite Napping Spot Makes Him Look Really Magical
Long Exposure Photo Of Drones Circling Mountains Makes Them Look Like Sci-Fi Landscapes
This Tree I Found Hiking Looks Like A Forest Monster Watching Over You
I would get two tiny round red reflectors for eyes. Just because.
Can you imagine coming across this at night with a flashlight? Sweet Jesus.
We asked Latter what she loves most about gaming. "It's a really engaging and active form of fun," she replies. "Where watching a film or series is passive, gaming really requires you to engage and get immersed and learn things in order to get to the next bit or complete the challenge."
She tells us that she also loves playing co-op games with friends. "Not really into competitive online games but more relaxed story based co-op games like Baldur's Gate or It Takes Two are so fun to play together," reveals the gamer girl.
Rose Mirror Tray From A Flea Market Yesterday. The Sky Reflection Makes It Look Like A Portal To Another Realm
When we were kids we would often take the mirrors off the walls and walk around with them, holding them in front of us so they reflected the ceilings and sky and pretend we were walking upside down.
OMG! I thought my brother and I were the only ones 🤣🤣
Load More Replies...Me - wondering about that foot shaped dish to the right of the mirror. Somebody had to decide to make such an item. Then another somebody had to decide it was a good idea to take it home.
It's probably a novelty soap dish. It has a motto printed on it that says 'We get a kick out of..' but the last word is missing.
Load More Replies...Petrol Station After A Good Downpour
It's actually sitting, but its hard to tell at this distance.
Load More Replies...Looks like it is floating in outer space. Something Captain Kirk would come across.
My Friend Took This Pic In Chile, When The Volcano Was Erupting. Looks Very Eerie
Latter believes game graphics don't always have to be ultra-realistic - like the photos featured in this list. But it really depends on the game. "For some games, realistic graphics add to the immersion and aid the storytelling, but for other games I think good art direction is much more important," said the expert.
This Morning Reflection From My Front Door
Enter that and it takes you the salt-mine Church for endless re-spawns.
Load More Replies...Mine does that, but because of the pattern of the bevelled glass, it looks like a demon
Sword In The Stone. In Cheddar, England
You can't expect to wield supreme power just 'cause some watery tart threw a sword at you!
I mean, if I went around saying I was an emperor, just because some moistened bint lobbed a scimitar at me, they’d put me away!
Load More Replies...See there, Normy... it's a little-known fact that I happen to be a direct descendant of King Arthur. In fact, I happen to be a member of the postal carriers of the round table.
Load More Replies...Found A Portal To Elsewhere
I live near a National Forest. My ex boyfriend and I liked to hike and bike a lot. We got “lost” on a trail like this. It’s been over 20 years and I still haven’t been able to find it again even though its within 30 miles.My now husband is from closer to that area has no idea where it is. Unfortunately before smartphones or I would have pics of the insanely huge ant hills. I thought they might be termites.maybe they were. Or maybe it never existed.
For a moment I thought that you both have been lost for 20 years 🤣
Load More Replies...She tells us that realism doesn't always equal good. "Some games have amazing graphics/art direction that are far from realistic but are beautiful and stylised, like Neva or Ori and the Blind Forest," explains Latter.
"And then some games have what you might consider 'bad' graphics but it's their aesthetic and people love them and they sell well because the game is a great game."
There Was A Fire In My Hometown's Cemetery Yesterday
Purification by fire! Gotta get rid of all the ghosts, zombies, and vampires or whatever!
OP: " A lightning caused it, if you know some Spanish you can read an article explaining what happened here: https://www.google.es/amp/www.diariodeleon.es/amp/noticias/bierzo/arden-cipreses-cementerio-cacabelos-caida-rayo_1159306.html"
Load More Replies...This Photo Of My Son Looks Like A Horror Movie Poster
As long as his name isn't Damian, you probably don't need to worry about this......🏃🏽💨
"My son was SO cute today; he asked me "dad are clouds candy?" I told him they were water. Then he asked: "dad, what's Earth's defense system?" And then I remembered, I don't have a son, while he asked again, his eyes now obsidian black: "what is the defense system, father" (Omar Najam)
That’s what I was thinking too. I wish the movie had been a lot better though.
Load More Replies...If This Were A Video Game, There Would Definitely Be Something Behind There
Latter says while graphics have improved dramatically over the past few decades, there's a shift back to a more old-school look. "Recently there has even been a huge trend in imitating PS1-looking graphics from the past," she told Bored Panda.
"It's budget friendly and people really like the retro, nostalgic feeling. What once was a technical limitation is now an aesthetic that people actively try to recreate."
Oh No, I Picked The Wrong Tree To Hide The Power Stone
Woke Up To Drink Water And Saw This On The Window's Reflection (Thought It Was A Ghost, It's Just A Chair With My Jacket)
Don't be ridiculous. It's just a chair. Go back to bed...over there behind the 'chair'.
Load More Replies...send it in to the paranormal caught on tape page on YouTube - they will use it as verifiable evidence
The Sun Hit This Freshly-Paved Tarmac Just Right And Made A Real-Life Rainbow Road Through Polarized Lenses
Read that as “Anyone farting” and stared ant the road too long.
Load More Replies...And then get lifted back up and immediately knocked off again by another player 😞
Load More Replies...Before we released Latter back to her much-deserved holiday, we were curious to know a bit more about the game she recently developed with her husband. It's called Hadley's Run: A Starship Saga and is available on the online gaming platform Steam.
She likens it to Nova Drift meets Hades, and says there's a heavy emphasis on the original soundtrack "as a banging back beat while you shoot down alien baddies."
Alien Invasion (Ceiling Lights Reflecting On Glass Window)
This Tree That Was Struck By Lightning
Anyone else see an eye in the dark parts of the upper red? Like something stareing out of the fire trapped within... a portal maybe? ^,^
The Reflection Of The Light On My Coffee Looks Like A Glowing Castle
You found hidden castle 1 out of 10. Collect all for the tiny kingdom achievement.
Load More Replies...Latter describes the game as a top down 'roguelite' space shooter adventure. "You are Hadley Orah, the pilot of a mining craft from a South African space colony," the developer tells Bored Panda.
"Going through a portal with an untested piece of tech leaves you stranded and alone in a distant alien galaxy. You must portal jump your way home to defeat the DraadMek and save the universe."
San Francisco Be Looking Like Blade Runner 2049
You guessed correctly. Us Californians see this more often than we want.
Load More Replies...I worked in SF then, in a highrise that had a view very similar to this one. Caused by multiple forest fires to the east of SF with winds funneling all the smoke directly into the city. It was unsettlingly eerie, oppressive, apocalyptic.
Same. It was a trip to see people wearing masks pre-covid.
Load More Replies...I remember that day. This was the view from my apartment that prompted me to call into work and say I wasn't coming in because the sky was orange. 2020-09-09...7-jpeg.jpg
I Found A Door (And Nothing Else) On An Abandoned Beach
Stephen King’s “The Dark Tower”! Watch out for the lobstrocities!
I mean, there's a mailbox and some fence, so it's a bit more than nothing else.
And just like that you reminded me it's time to go re-play the old Wolfenstein and Doom games. Thx! :)
Load More Replies...I desperately hope someone makes a really good tv series from these books...I love them
Load More Replies...This is the Salton Sea, Bombay Beach - in Southern California, USA. The water is not safe to be in due to chemicals, but artists have taken to installing sculptures all over it. It's a really fantastic place to visit and just wander around. I recommend looking up the history of the Sea and Bombay Beach. It's fascinating. My boyfriend and I just visited a couple months ago for the first time and really enjoyed ourselves. Very Instagramable, if you care about that kind of stuff.
Bombay Beach - Salton Sea - November 2024 B-at-Bomba...68-png.jpg
My Neighborhood Turned Into Silent Hill Last Night
"Unlock epic upgrades, explore alien galaxies, make friends, find love and do battle against a relentless alien AI threat," reads the game's description, and we'd be lying if we said we weren't tempted to try it out and get lost in a parallel universe.
This Hotel's Carpet And Lighting Combo Produce A Really Trippy Effect
Sheldon (Big Bang Theory) ) would love this.. it looks kinda like the Doppler Effect...
It keeps drunk people/kids from running through the hallways, so other guests are not bothered by their noise when they want to sleep.
Load More Replies...Welcome To Silent Hill. My Husband Just Sent Me This... It Was Taken On His Way To Work This Morning
Morning? I dread to think how your nights are
Load More Replies...I lived in Silent Hill. Seriously, My local downtown area was used as the primary setting in Silent Hill 2. Of course, they had to change some things for legal reasons, but it was still very recognizable.
The Sun On My Door Is So Bright You Can See It Through The Door
Do me a favour and don’t open that. I know you think it’s the sun but…
If that's an outside door, you need a better, thicker door. If it has problems stopping light, it won't stop burglars.
And above it hangs a sign: 'Ye who enter here, abandons all hope.'
Abbandonate la speranza, voi tutti che entrate qui.
Load More Replies...I thought so too, when the UFOs and its occupants are trying to get into the house.
Load More Replies...Reflection Of Bathroom Mirror Makes It Look Like We Have An Outdoor Cinema Going On
That one took me a minute to figure out. The bathroom mirror is reflecting in the bathroom window
Local Town Hall. This Looks Like 90s Pre Rendered Game Backgrounds
I once purposely built a virtual casino to look like this.
Load More Replies...Look at the picture, "Stadthalle Lahnstein", sort off Communal Hall of the city of Lahnstein, Germany. It is a small city south of Koblenz, with an obviously very tight budget since the 80s
Load More Replies...Our Power Went Out And Thankfully My Manager Had Some Lightsabers In His Car
I like a manager who's prepared, especially in an interstellar sense.
How cool is that?!? Wish I had a boss who just happened to have lightsabers in their car!
Real Life Video Game Glitches
Empty Mall (Yes, Believe It Or Not This Really Is A Mall)
I'm sure it is, but I happen to know there is a whole den of Super Mutants waiting inside, so you better stock up on ammo.
I like to use my long-range rifle to shoot the Super Mutants with the explosives strapped to their arms. Usually takes out the group around them.
Load More Replies...looks like the inside of a building from the 2012 Dredd film
The Frozen Windows On My Plane Made It Look Like We Were Flying Through A Nebula
I think it looks like a GIANT octopus face peeking in, with one half lidded eye on the upper left side of the window.
This Triangular Building, From This Angle, Looks Like A Movie Set Facade
Accommodation At My School
"Accomodation", guess one of the boarding buildings.
Load More Replies...The End Of This Tunnel Looks Like It Leads To A Video Game World
Looking Like Blade Runner In Boston The Other Night
We're in 2025... 5 years after BR takes place!
Load More Replies...Flashlight, Foggy Morning And You Get Lightsaber
City Hall Looks Like The Next Mission In A Video Game
City Hall Los Angeles, and I have been to rooftop parties there lolol
Load More Replies...My Windowless Classroom Has Fake Sky Panels In Place Of The Plastic Covers On The Fluorescent Lights
That's asking a lot from people that were satisfied with stuffing kids into a windowless classroom.
Load More Replies...These Items Look Like A Game's Asset Under The Sun
Is their usefulness or worth high enough to justify the carry weight?
Probably because it was taken at noon, so their shadow is really small and directly beneath them.
My Girlfriend Works In A Bingo Hall And Sent Me This
I feel sad looking at that. I know it’s a legit activity but that looks dystopian
It has always felt that way to me. I could not even try this game.
Load More Replies...If it helps people get out and chat to others that's great,no matter what it is
Real Life Video Game
They look like they'd be in a futuristic movie and kids would race each other on hoverboards on them.
It's the Divine Light, but is it entering or leaving the church ?
This Place Felt Like Being Alone In A Video Game Waiting Lobby
You must interact with the pillar to activate the bridge over the chasm so you can reach the exit on the other side.
That is the Liberty Memorial in Kansas City, Missouri U.S.A. one of the few World War 1 museums.
Hiking Trough The Woods I Stumbled Upon Minecraft Tree
As someone who doesn't play Minecraft, this just looks like a normal tree.
The Race Is On! I'll Get A Speed Boost If I Pass One, Right? These Green Rings Of Light Move At The Pace Of The Speed Limit To Help Gauge Speed
Good! That's the point. Once you pass the green light (and not move to the next one) you'll keep a steady, not above the limit, speed to stay ahead.
Load More Replies...Seems like a lot of expense just to duplicate something every car already does.
Load More Replies...Lol, I see what you did there. Thanks for the chuckle.
Load More Replies...We Can Now Project The News Into The Sky
Insert meme of Michael Scott screaming “ No no no no no” because I am doing my best to avoid bad news and toxic people. We don’t need to help road rage,
Don't worry, it's just a tv reflection on a window (all the writing is backwards which should have been the giveaway!)
No thanks. The news media moguls are now taking over the sky ? It adds to light pollution and could be very distracting for vehicle drivers. I think it's ACTUALLY a window reflection from your TV. Very clever photo though.
Hopefully a reflection on someone's window. Otherwise dystopian fascism here we come.
Took A Photo Right As Someone's Flash Went Off. Went Right Down The Middle
One of the teams got a power upgrade or is this how you know it is a power play?
Not sure I understand this. Is he suggesting he caught the expanding of the light wave? Not possible.
Jumbotron...? Or alien vessel in disguise? They're clearly about to take the goalie up, too.
The Bubbles At The Bottom Of My Water Glass Look Like A Script Of Some Kind
Yeah, it's called »Bubble Braille« and it says: You won't find any answers down here...🙋🏽
There must be some sort of electrostatic effect?? The repeated J or D pattern and the uniform lines of bubble text can't be random.
Backrooms Level 10282727719??
My Camera Had A Weird Glitch And Made Trippy Water!!
In Fallout, that colorful sheen means gasoline and it's great for environmental kills when you shoot it.
Dammit. Someone has let their Unicorn píss in the water supply again.
The Way The Light Hits Makes The Door Handle Look Magical
Imagine Being The First And Only Person To Show Up Early To Work, Walking Down A Dark Hallway, And As You Walk Past The Break Room You See This From The Corner Of Your Eye
Looks like a pop up canopy that has been folded down but noy put back in its case or bag.
Load More Replies...A Person In Medieval Armor Just Standing In The Middle Of Detroit
Walking Home, Haven't Seen Anyone
This Sun Reflection Through My Window Is Shaped Like A Sword!!
This Old Town In Japan That Looks Like A Movie Set
The End Of My Street
...is where I want you to meet, because 🎶 In the heat of the night, I lose control 🎶
While Hiking I Found A Real Life Minecraft Area
A Line Of Campus Bots Following Me At My College
Not a funny comment but I do find it interesting how this stuff is becoming real, day to day life. The Seattle airport (maybe others?) now has self driving wheelchairs to take disabled people to/from plane boarding gates. My friend said they are kind of slow but they do get their on their own.
Ceiling Light Reflection
I Found A Portal In Real Life
I Made A Hidden Glow-In-The-Dark Galaxy In My Resin Kitchen Floor
Sunlight Coming Through Bottom Of Door Looks Like A Portal
It actually does though. Don't you get tired of being a constant bummer?
Load More Replies...The Library Near My House Looks Like The "Sandcrawler" From Star Wars
I wonder has anyone paid people to Dress as Jawas and have them stand around this building?
This Perfectly Squared Tree In Sevilla
Endless Stone Hallway
Chasing The Horizon And Soaking In Every Moment
Last year, I flew to Las Vegas from the Midwest at sunset. The whole cabin was lit up with gold light and when you looked down you could see the Nevada desert bathed in gold. It was magical.
Flying from London to New York we chased the setting sun nearly the whole flight. The sun set just as we landed. I still think the pilot timed it deliberately. 😄
Load More Replies...The Gap Between My Window And Shades Made The Perfect Glowing Little Number 1
That's just level 1. It's the next levels you have to worry about!
The Sun Shining Through The Office Window Looks Like A Speech Bubble
Photo I Took Through My Scope Looks Like A Video Game
I think only hand-to-hand combat should be allowed...
Load More Replies...After watching the seemingly 100,000th commercial on youtube for Baerskin Tactical Hoodies, I wondered what sort of Navy Seal wannabe, legend in his own mind d******d would buy something as pathetic-sounding as a tactical hoody. Seeing your camo boots, I think I have my answer. May a horny bear find you irresistibly attractive.
Afternoon Sun Makes Our Bathroom Door Look Like A Portal To Another World
Straight Out Of A 2000s Video Game
This Random Doorway To Nowhere
My Friend Had A Real Life Minecraft Torch On His Wall
When Mario Comes To Town
Medellín - City Of Contrasts
I Took This Pic Of My Apartment "Business Room" And It Looks Like A Videogame
Picture Of What Looks Like A Flaming Sword In My Fireplace
Inside The Exhaust Stack Of My Paint Booth Looks Like A Portal To Another Dimension
Driving From Portland To Salem. Apocalypse Ahead, Blue Skies Behind
Vauxhall Looking Like A Dystopian Video Game
Picture My Wife Took On A Trip
My Chuck Is Ready To Be Spooked
Forgot That I Was In Real Life And Genuinely Thought This Was A Chest In The Back Of A Truck. I've Been Playing Way Too Much Fortnite
The Way The Sun Hits My Trash Can Makes It Look Like I Threw Away A Glowing Orb
Train Station Into The Fog
Public transportation in the early morning/late night hits different.
There’s A Shopping Cart On My Dorm Floor
Cup Of Coffee I Had In A Diner Trippin At 3am
Someone Is Trying To Configure The Building
Living In A Mario World
My Friend Just Had A Case Of Low Res Shadows Irl
Going To A Movie Theater At 1030am On A Wednesday
This Parking Deck Looks Like It Has Poor Anti-Aliasing
Somehow Managed To Make The Ground Look Like A Video Games
You don't get invited back after going to a party, do you?
Load More Replies...A Person In A Nearby Town Has A Powerful Homemade Laser Pointing Into The Sky
Violation if it interferes with aircraft. Not sure it's really illegal, though.
Load More Replies...Real Life LEGO
Photo I Took Behind The Movie Theater, Edited It A Little To Give It That Liminal Feel
My Frozen Spinach Looks Like It’s From A Video Game
Yeah. This one. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Popeye_(video_game)
