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So I'm one of those lucky nerds who got a beta key, and I'm having a rather weird issue regarding the graphics! I have a really nice computer so I can handle the maxed graphic settings which, I will have you know, look absolutely fantastic.
However, in trying to learn the competitive flow of the game, I have an extremely hard time parsing what's going on. So, I dropped the in game graphics settings to low to see what it was like!
Oddly enough, the graphics didn't look "low quality," they just looked completely different. It was like a different art director managed the "low" setting. Surprisingly, I found playing on low WAY WAY easier. I felt greater comfort w/ my micro, I could see stuff better, my brain grabbed the important stuff faster etc. I'm curious if anyone else has had the same experience? Once I've built more comfort w/ the game, I wanna go back to the high settings to see if I'm just making everything up. For now though, discuss away!
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I haven't had any problems with the settings on high. I haven't really played a whole lot of matches yet. so that may change. I heard some people felt this way about WC3 as well, but I didn't have the problem there either. I guess it's, like everything else, completely subjective.
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I've been running on 'ultra' maxed settings and like you said, especially during big battles after macroing, my ability to compute everyone is really slowed. I am not sure if the sc1 graphics are just engrained in my head or that the sprites really make a big difference... but my ability to disect a massive battle needs work.
I might try what you say, did you just put them on "low" or actually bring everything down to worst possible (or is that same thing, not home atm). It might be a great tool to help trigger your brain learning the game better then simply increase to max graphics once you are mechanical again.
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To me when you put on low settings it almost feels like there is no terrain, that it's just some background, units are so clearly visible etc.
It totally reminds me on crashing details in some fps games (remember ugly quake2 becoming even uglier for this very reason).
imho i'll play on low settings for 1v1, and on high for campaign/custom games because game looks beautiful.
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I saw lots of screenshots from low-detailled stuff, I can't stand it. For me personally, Starcraft 2 is a new game and it comes with new graphics. Right now I don't have a problem to handle anything in particular. I can tell the difference between the units and I didn't have a problem in fights yet.
Can you name an example of a situation where you have the feeling that the low settings might be better for competetive play?
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I'm not really having any trouble reading big battles at 1920x1200 with everything jacked to ultra/extreme.
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You probably just didn't take enough time to get used to it
I know when I started playing Heroes of Newerth, which looks strikingly similar to SC2, I found it extremely disorienting and even at times headache inducing.
But a couple days of playing I was completely used to it, and had no complaints
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same boat. had a tough time taking in information on high/ultra settings. went to low and found things a lot easier.
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Day, I completely agree with you. Although I don't have an account, I've been watching replays in my client and when the graphics are maxed, it definitely does look good but all of the effects can be extremely distracting.
When turned down to low (graphic detail wise...I still keep resolution at 1920x1200), the graphics are "clean" and it seems well suited for a competitive level of play. Scrolling around the map using the mouse at the edge of the screen is also noticeable smoother because the game doesn't have to render the details of the terrain. The graphics do not, by any means, look bad. I would definitely keep the graphic detail at low when playing seriously.
This might also be good to point out to those who don't have the beefiest of systems...if you plan on playing competitively it might be wise to leave the settings on low anyways. So you might not have to invest in a pricey GPU or new system once you get past the novelty of maxed graphics.
My specs: Core 2 Duo 3.16 @ 4 Ghz, 4 GB DDR2-800 RAM, HD 4870 1GB, Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit
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I can see myself playing competitive games on ultra low graphic settings with nearly every interface message not displaying/cluttering up the screen.
I've only played on high graphics settings so far though...
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I was thinking the same thing, although im not in the beta. I wonder if sc will be like quake/cs where the competitive turn down the settings to gain a bit of an edge. That will be kindof sad really because sc2 looks so good maxed ;(
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T.O.P.
Hong Kong4685 Posts
What's your opinion on medium? The visibility is better on medium, yet it looks like a modern game.
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I see it like you day. following the low-quality stream is much easier, but hq just looks better 
Lets hope you can get used to high quality - or its low quality for competitive play.
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I am sure lowering the settings may make my play better and easier to focus on stuff, but I am not going to do it. I know people always say Gameplay > Graphics, but a good looking game adds to the fun.
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Maybe its just that you are not used to all the flashy graphics and thausonds of hours of SC1s grey and flat look made your eyes go over sensible. On the other hand, SC2 in low grafic does look extremly colorful with all the shaders and "grit-effects" removed. Oh well ...
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can you upload screenshots to let us see the differences between high and low settings? =P
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i did the exact same thing. Unlike most people I'm 25 and used to playing games with shitty graphics. been playing SC1 and CS since they were born and i don't really like the pretty graphics as much as my nephew.
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I don't think there will be a long term super competitive advantage to running on low, but what Day9 is saying is that while we are new to the game it may be advantageous. If you play with low graphics at first you can get a feel for what's going on without having screen cluttered up with fancy graphics. Then after you feel comfortable raise them up. It's something to consider. Having said this I will probably stick to max.
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I've only fiddled with some replays in the client for a few minutes, but so far I think the game looks better at low settings. Less realistic, of course, but rather than looking "bad" it just looks more abstracted. I wouldn't be surprised if the standard for casting/VODs becomes Low Quality.
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ultra/low
i didnt restart so not all the graphics settings went into effect and i keep the terrain on medium i believe. it's a lot easier to pick things out quickly without a glare and shadow on EVERYTHIGN. :D
doesnt look too bad in pictures because you have time to see what's what imagine scanning over your base real fast it's a lot harder to distinguish.
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