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Monitor Size - Is smaller better for SC2?

Forum Index > SC2 General
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1 2 3 4 5 Next All
Westy
Profile Blog Joined April 2010
England808 Posts
March 22 2011 00:59 GMT
#1
So on my quest to become a masters player, I have now started focusing on my ability to be constantly looking/aware of whats going on on the minimap. But I have stumbled across what may be a small problem. Most people say they can see whats happening on the minimap out of the corner of their eye, so even when focusing on something mid screen they would still notice a drop coming on the minimap. However for some reason I cannot manage this. And I think it's due to a problem I noticed while playing Counter Strike when I first bought this monitor.

Originally I had a 14" monitor, and then decided to finally upgrade to a 21" monitor. However, while playing CS competitively this turned out to have more of a negative effect due to the fact that I now could not see my radar while I was concentrating on the centre of the screen. So I would actually have to look away from my crosshair to see my radar, and of course this would be when the enemy would run round the corner.

Now I feel the same thing is happening with SC2. Although I can still just look to the bottom left of the screen, while focusing on something I am completely unable to see what is happening on the minimap.

So, I have a few questions for people who have thought about this before.
Are you also unable to notice movement on your minimap while looking centre screen? What size monitor do you have? Has anyone played around with graphics settings to get a smaller image? And have any higher level players actually bought a smaller screen so they can get what would seem to be an advantage by being able to see the whole screen?
Turgid
Profile Blog Joined September 2010
United States1623 Posts
March 22 2011 01:02 GMT
#2
Have you thought of just playing in a window?
(╬ ಠ益ಠ)
Sein
Profile Blog Joined September 2010
United States1811 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-03-22 01:08:12
March 22 2011 01:06 GMT
#3
On March 22 2011 09:59 Westy wrote:
So on my quest to become a masters player, I have now started focusing on my ability to be constantly looking/aware of whats going on on the minimap. But I have stumbled across what may be a small problem. Most people say they can see whats happening on the minimap out of the corner of their eye, so even when focusing on something mid screen they would still notice a drop coming on the minimap. However for some reason I cannot manage this. And I think it's due to a problem I noticed while playing Counter Strike when I first bought this monitor.

Originally I had a 14" monitor, and then decided to finally upgrade to a 21" monitor. However, while playing CS competitively this turned out to have more of a negative effect due to the fact that I now could not see my radar while I was concentrating on the centre of the screen. So I would actually have to look away from my crosshair to see my radar, and of course this would be when the enemy would run round the corner.

Now I feel the same thing is happening with SC2. Although I can still just look to the bottom left of the screen, while focusing on something I am completely unable to see what is happening on the minimap.

So, I have a few questions for people who have thought about this before.
Are you also unable to notice movement on your minimap while looking centre screen? What size monitor do you have? Has anyone played around with graphics settings to get a smaller image? And have any higher level players actually bought a smaller screen so they can get what would seem to be an advantage by being able to see the whole screen?


I have a 24". I think it's actually helping me as I feel that I notice something on my minimap better because it's much bigger.

EDIT: Is there any way for you to move a bit further away from your screen? Maybe that'll help in your case.
Westy
Profile Blog Joined April 2010
England808 Posts
March 22 2011 01:07 GMT
#4
On March 22 2011 10:02 Turgid wrote:
Have you thought of just playing in a window?


This causes all sorts of problems with the mouse coming out of the screen. For me at least. Does anyone use windowed mode?
Tonem
Profile Joined January 2011
Australia91 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-03-22 01:15:24
March 22 2011 01:09 GMT
#5
I experience the exact same problem on my 22" monitor. I actually physically have to move my head to look down and check on the minimap (which usually I'm too focused on other stuff). I do think it's a disadvantage but it's not too much of a problem because you can quickly scan over when you're looking at the little interface for macroing and usually I still manage to spot stuff out of the corner of my eye when I'm looking at that intercface anyway (or anytime i'm looking in that general area really).

But to answer the question, yes, in my opinion I think a smaller screen is better if you want to keep on top of checking the minimap. But I still prefer a larger screen just because it looks nicer (and like the guy said above, the minimap itself is actually larger).

Oh yeah and I have my screen moved to the back of my desk (nearly up against the wall) so I think that helps (I remember playing at a LAN and I had to have it up really close and It seemed really weird..)

And no I haven't tried windowed mode.
Dusty
Profile Blog Joined December 2010
United States3359 Posts
March 22 2011 01:12 GMT
#6
Or you can try moving the screen back

Might not work for everyone but definitely worth a shot.
noobcakes
Profile Blog Joined May 2010
United States526 Posts
March 22 2011 01:14 GMT
#7
I think whatever fits you the most is the best size. I know players with 18in screens and are in masters, and yet I also know a friend who has 23in and he is in masters as well.
Professional BattleCraft Player
sickman
Profile Joined March 2010
Canada34 Posts
March 22 2011 01:15 GMT
#8
I dont know if it gives any advantage, but I play primarily on a 19" 4:3 monitor letterboxed to 16, so its effectively about 17" and I really like it this way. The minimap, main screen, and resource counter are all nicely within the center of my vision. There also isnt much need to notice tiny visual details in SC, mini map dots have a high contrast with ally colours on. Compared to FPS games where you really want to be able to see those 4 pixels of a guy's head behind some crates, I prefer using a smaller display for SC.
brobear
Profile Joined January 2010
United States101 Posts
March 22 2011 01:15 GMT
#9
On March 22 2011 10:07 Westy wrote:
Show nested quote +
On March 22 2011 10:02 Turgid wrote:
Have you thought of just playing in a window?


This causes all sorts of problems with the mouse coming out of the screen. For me at least. Does anyone use windowed mode?



In gameplay settings, there's an option with a dropdown window that's called
"Confine Mouse Cursor" or something like that.

Turn that on, and your mouse will stay within the SC2 box!
frozt_
Profile Joined January 2011
United States234 Posts
March 22 2011 01:17 GMT
#10
These are all personal preferences, nothing more nothing less. Some people like to play on wide screen monitors and others on 4:3 monitors, some people like 27" monitors and others prefer 19" monitors. Play what you feel comfortable on, no one can decide but you.
Practice and dedication reveals the greatness within a player
Eleaven
Profile Joined September 2010
772 Posts
March 22 2011 01:17 GMT
#11
i use a 24" and its fine, your experiencing tunnel vision, just try to slap yourself out of it and sread your attention, your eyes have a very very wide angle, the only way you'd be missing your minimap is if you literally sat an inch away from your screen.

Dont blame your tools, just focus on not focusing.. in one place too much
MrWhompWhomp
Profile Joined December 2010
United States26 Posts
March 22 2011 01:19 GMT
#12
I play on a 28" screen and notice the mini-map just fine. I'm only in diamond, but I don't think the size of my monitor is going to impede my efforts to get into masters. Just move the monitor as far back on your desk as you can and don't sit too close.
Divide, Conquer, Pillage, Destroy
zylog
Profile Joined August 2010
Canada943 Posts
March 22 2011 01:27 GMT
#13
I've played on a 14" laptop but at reduced resolution so really 13" viewable.
I've played on at 32" TV.
I'm currently playing on a 15" laptop.

Of the three, I actually liked playing on the tv the most. With the larger resolution, I was much more aware of details on the minimap, whereas on the smaller screens, I notice the warning on the minimap but I find it less easy to follow. I also find it to be better to actually tilt my head to watch the minimap - it's a more distinct action that's a bit easier on the eyes and fits better into my routine.

My next monitor is a 23.6" for my new desktop which I should be getting later this week. We'll see how it works for me.
Te4R_HyP3
Profile Joined October 2010
Canada15 Posts
March 22 2011 01:35 GMT
#14
TBH I don't really think it changes the game because you're more than likely to adjust the mouse sensitivity to your personal preference if you find the screen too large (that's what she said).


I find I play better when the screen is further away from me than closer up.
Xapti
Profile Joined April 2010
Canada2473 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-03-22 01:39:27
March 22 2011 01:36 GMT
#15
22" flat screen CRT, works pretty fine for me. I think my face is far enough from the screen to see rather well.

A smaller screen would probably be the most ideal though, like a 17 or 19".

I personally think a 4:3 aspect ratio is also ideal as opposed to the widescreens for viewing the minimap, but then again I'm somewhat biased. The wide screen resolutions do get to see more of the game play area though. At a non-widescreen view, the corners are not as far away from each other, or even the center of the screen.
"Then he told me to tell you that he wouldn't piss on you if you were on fire" — "Well, you tell him that I said that I wouldn't piss on him if he was on Jeopardy!"
Zabedisi
Profile Joined March 2011
88 Posts
March 22 2011 01:48 GMT
#16
I'm in the same situation pretty much. Connected my laptop (13") to a 21" widescreen monitor and I'm having a hard time adjusting. maybe I just need to get used to it.
The man with no imagination has no wings
Lmui
Profile Joined November 2010
Canada6213 Posts
March 22 2011 01:50 GMT
#17
I think it's just a matter of sitting further back and adjusting to it. From what I've heard, the monitors within GSL booths are 24" monitors and that doesn't seem to affect pros so I'm kind of mixed on what the difference would be for a player well adjusted to any particular setup.
W2
Profile Blog Joined January 2011
United States1177 Posts
March 22 2011 01:54 GMT
#18
imagine playing with a screen the size of nintendo DS.

Now imagine playing with a screen the size of a movie theater.

There is no better size, each has it's pros and cons. 14 inch compared to 22 inch does not have that big of a difference.
Hi
JeLLe04
Profile Joined March 2011
United States47 Posts
March 22 2011 04:28 GMT
#19
I play on a 13 inch laptop screen. My roommate has one of those ridiculously large Macs (28 inch I believe) and SC looks beautiful on it, but I find the game much easier to play on low settings on a small screen.

Then again, it's all based on what you're used to. Returning to my laptop after dicking around on a smurf acct on the huge computer was uncomfortable for a little bit.
CptFlowers
Profile Joined February 2011
United States30 Posts
April 26 2011 07:56 GMT
#20
On March 22 2011 10:15 brobear wrote:
Show nested quote +
On March 22 2011 10:07 Westy wrote:
On March 22 2011 10:02 Turgid wrote:
Have you thought of just playing in a window?


This causes all sorts of problems with the mouse coming out of the screen. For me at least. Does anyone use windowed mode?



In gameplay settings, there's an option with a dropdown window that's called
"Confine Mouse Cursor" or something like that.

Turn that on, and your mouse will stay within the SC2 box!


omg thank you i was just looking for a fix to that
D:
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