[H] Advantages with Graphic Settings?

Skoobasteve

United States52 Posts

December 14 2010 20:51 GMT

I've noticed on many streams that higher level players (Idra,HuK,Qxc and more) all play on lower graphic settings.

Does the reduced settings increase ingame responses, is it just visibly better to see or makes controlling units easier?
Or do they just want to increase the stream quality? (or have bad computers :X)

If anyone plays with these certain types of settings could you list me what you have them set as?

Sarang

Australia2363 Posts

December 14 2010 20:59 GMT

I'm pretty sure they do it to avoid any distractions while they play. They can focus more on the game itself when they're not distracted by pretty colours and flashing lights.

Also, aren't the graphics usually set to medium/low at tournaments? Playing on those settings at home will obviously mean there's no mental adjusting to do when they play a tournament

HardCorey

United States709 Posts

December 14 2010 21:04 GMT

This should be SC2 general.

But to answer your question streaming uses a lot of your computer's resources so often times you need to lower the graphic setting so everything doesn't crash on a decent/good computer. High-end ones can handle it but a lot of players like the simplistic look of lower graphical settings. That way everything is very clear and there isnt any unnecessary flash.

1Lamb1Rice

United States435 Posts

December 14 2010 21:05 GMT

I think TLO said if everything is on Low setting, but textures (and one other setting) is on ultra, it makes it slightly easier to see cloaked units. Not sure if this is true.

Sarang

Australia2363 Posts

December 14 2010 21:12 GMT

On December 15 2010 06:05 lambnrice wrote:
I think TLO said if everything is on Low setting, but textures (and one other setting) is on ultra, it makes it slightly easier to see cloaked units. Not sure if this is true.

He actually said it pretty much makes cloaked units appear uncloaked - they've patched that though. Not sure if it's still easier to see them, but they're not completely visible anymore.

Cambam

United States360 Posts

December 14 2010 21:12 GMT

One argument might be that all the extra stuff present with ultra graphics (extra grass, bushes, foilage, flowers, sparks, flashes, lasers, etc.) is all extra stuff your brain has to process. We all have limited cognitive resources, so it's probably not optimal to waste some of these limited resources on processing pretty fluff.

Reason.SC2

Canada1047 Posts

December 14 2010 21:18 GMT

The idea behind lower settings is simply having less visual clutter (doodads, effects, explosions, reflections, etc.)

This is good for 2 reasons:

1- it guarantees a steady framerate even in the biggest battles with multiple spells being cast and tons of units attacking/dying.

2 - it is easier for the eyes/brain to pick up vital information if there is less going on visually. I.e. Your brain doesn't have to parse through unnecessary information like a shimmering doodad to determine that there is no unit there.

There are a couple of disadvantages in that forcefields are harder to spot and the unique death animations can sometimes give you a better idea of what units are doing the most damage.

I think a mix of low and medium settings is optimal for it gives you less clutter but doesn't take away any important information.

Skoobasteve

United States52 Posts

December 14 2010 21:49 GMT

Thanks for all the replys! And sorry about the mispost =/ Maybe someone can move to general?

Definitely gonna try this out now

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[H] Advantages with Graphic Settings?

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