[2020] [Guide] Hotkeys for Screenshots, Replays and Using Free Camera Mode

As you may already be familiar, I typically host a weekly #screenshotsaturday contest on our social media pages. In turn, I’ve seen a lot of amazing screenshots that have come in from our players, but also a number of questions about how to capture these types of screenshots. Therefore, I thought it would be a great opportunity to review how to watch your game replays, take screenshots, and use hotkeys for free cams so that you all can get the perfect game capture! Because who knows when you may need to use that epic torpedo soup drop for bragging rights

How to access replays and screenshots?

Replays are automatically saved in your game folder on your computer. You will first have to find the folder on your computer where you’ve saved the game. Once you’ve found this folder you should be able to open it up and find another file labeled “Replays” which automatically saves the last 15 gameplays you’ve played. The will be in the folder labeled with the ship you played and timestamp.

(The exception being when a new patch is released. Your replays prior to the patch will no longer be accessible.)

Now that you’ve found the folder, to open a replay you must first make sure that you don’t have the game currently running. Then, right-click the replay that you would like to view and select Open. For the first time you do this, your computer may ask you what program to open the file with. You will need to select the World of Warships game client. Once you have told your computer how to open these files, they should automatically open the game every time you open these files.

You probably also noticed that in the same game folder where your replays are located, there is another folder labeled “Screenshot”.

At any point in the game, you can press Prt Sc to save a screenshot from the game to this folder

When doing this in a battle, it won’t make any noise, there will not be any distinct notification, but it will automatically save here in the folder.

Note: This feature, unfortunately, does not work when watching replays. This is only for regular game client mode. For capturing screenshots in replays, you will still have to use the good ole’ fashioned Prt Scr button and paste it into Paint (or Photoshop if you’re fancy )

How to control the Cameras during replays?

Once you’re watching your replays there are several hotkeys that you can use which I’ve listed below. It should be noted, that majority of these options are specifically for Free cam mode, so if you are wanting to watch the battle from a tournament-style view, you’re going to want to just start off in the free cam mode, which I’ve conveniently listed as the first shortcut!

Free cam mode = Ctrl + Shift + Backspace

Page Up/Page Down = switching camera

Remove UI from screen = CTRL + J

Remove UI from port screen = Right-click and hold. You can use your scroll wheel to zoom in and out.

Note: The following are specifically tied to num pad keys.

4,5,6,8 = Camera directional angling

7 = Camera up

9 = Camera down

1 = Camera angle forward

3 = Camera angle backward

Arrow Keys = Camera direction

B = Fixed camera on a ship to following its movements

Shift + B = Fixed camera on a specific ship following both movements and turn

Exit out of free cam mode = Left mouse button

Insert = speeds up the replay * *proceed with caution on this shortcut. If you initiate Godspeed too quickly it may cause your replay to crash.

Delete = slow down the replay

End = pause replay

Home = normal speed

Being able to freely move the camera while watching replays also provides a totally new experience for appreciating some of the game landscapes and graphics that typically get overlooked by the average person.

I’ve also found it particularly helpful in my personal quest to “get gud” to watch replays specifically to watch how other members on my team handled being in certain situations.

I hope you all find this helpful. I invite you to use this thread to share any cool and interesting screenshots you were able to take with this method. Also please let us know if you have any additional tips that I may have missed in this guide.

See you on the high seas, Captains!

Hmm.. I would reset the default file opener once again just to make sure you're linking it right.

Does it show this when you right-click the replay and select "open with" does it show this?

Try to:

Right click on it and "Open with" and then find the client that way.

-Hapa

I have always been told that it was ctrl + prt sc but I just tested the prt sc, and that works too! I've updated the post accordingly.

(Thanks for making me realize I've been pressing extra buttons this whole time.)

There are a ton of programs out there that are capable of video editing. Unfortunately, I can't speak for a specific Windows programs since all of the ones I use on a regular basis are non-windows/paid video editing programs. However, I'm sure a couple of google searches, or maybe even someone in here could help you out. Alternatively, depending on what phone you have, you could even import them into your phone and edit them on there. I do this a lot for my own personal content just from the native video player on my phone.

Hope this helps!

Sorry Captain, I just saw this comment now. Make sure to look at the dates on the replays and make sure they are within the timeframe of the same patch. If a replay is from an older patch, it will not load. I just tested out opening a replay on my computer (I'll admit, I haven't done it in a while) and it is still working. You may need to open the file a second time once the WGC is up.

Glad you were able to get it working! Looking forward to seeing some cool screen captures.. maybe? :)

Please note there has been several changes that have been made to the hotkeys since I originally posted this guide. I have updated my original post with the latest hotkey versions.

Last week I hosted a live demonstration with our NA CC LordZath on a lot of the features I talk about in this guide.

Hope you can find this helpful <3