Ultrawide resolution is really not optimal

[Schweinebacke]

After playing the game for a while and wondering how to shoot at enemies outside the view area, it became clear that the view area is limited by the long side of the display resolution. Which makes the top and bottom of the viewport being cut off. So I guess I missed half of the graphics in the last 20h of gameplay, comparing the standard 1920x1440 with e.g. a 5120x1440.

[Schweinebacke]

1920x1440:
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2574244792

5120x1440:
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2574244831

---

1920x1440:
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2574239944

5120x1440:
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2574239974

---

1920x1440:
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2574231283

5120x1440:
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2574231227

---
1920x1440:
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2574237082

5120x1440:
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2574237056

[mustangmilitia]

Yeah there is no excuse for this anymore, but you can fix it like this: https://steamah.com/the-ascent-how-to-fix-ultrawide-monitors-fov/

[White ⁧⁧Wolf]

I see it as a good thing, otherwise ultrawide people would be having an unfair advantage in games. In singleplayer it's not as bad as it would be in competitive games, but it would still allow them to perform a lot better than non-ultrawide players. This seems like a good tradeoff. Besides, most games(especially big titles) are not designed for ultrawide. If anything they are designed primarily for 16:9, which is what basically all TVs use(and most monitors). Most big titles are console ports so...

[villageidiot]

Diposting pertama kali oleh Diabetus Maximus:

I see it as a good thing, otherwise ultrawide people would be having an unfair advantage in games. In singleplayer it's not as bad as it would be in competitive games, but it would still allow them to perform a lot better than non-ultrawide players. This seems like a good tradeoff. Besides, most games(especially big titles) are not designed for ultrawide. If anything they are designed primarily for 16:9, which is what basically all TVs use(and most monitors). Most big titles are console ports so...

Yet the whole reason people buy ultrawide monitors ifs because they want to see more of the game or have more screen real estate. Lazily zooming in a game and calling it "ultrawide support" defeats the purpose of having an ultrawide.

EDIT: Update - I just did the above fix and OMG i feel like i have wasted half this game playing a zoomed in mess. Plays SO much better with the FOV fix. I can now see the game as intended.

[Schweinebacke]

Diposting pertama kali oleh mustangmilitia:

Yeah there is no excuse for this anymore, but you can fix it like this: https://steamah.com/the-ascent-how-to-fix-ultrawide-monitors-fov/

mustangmilitia, many thanks for the pointer. Nice to be able to play the game in full glory now.

[Pan Darius Cassandra]

Diposting pertama kali oleh mustangmilitia:

Yeah there is no excuse for this anymore, but you can fix it like this: https://steamah.com/the-ascent-how-to-fix-ultrawide-monitors-fov/

I'd love it if the devs fixed their game so I didn't have to resort to 3rd party fixes.

[Pan Darius Cassandra]

Diposting pertama kali oleh Diabetus Maximus:

I see it as a good thing, otherwise ultrawide people would be having an unfair advantage in games. In singleplayer it's not as bad as it would be in competitive games, but it would still allow them to perform a lot better than non-ultrawide players. This seems like a good tradeoff. Besides, most games(especially big titles) are not designed for ultrawide. If anything they are designed primarily for 16:9, which is what basically all TVs use(and most monitors). Most big titles are console ports so...

This is only relevant in competitive games - The Ascent is not a competitive game. Also, technology changes and progresses over time. Should those using 28" monitors artificially handicap themselves because at some time in the past people only had 24" monitors? And should those using 24" monitors artificially handicap themselves because at some point in the past people mostly used 18" monitors?

Ultrawide may have been niche for a while, but more and more of us have it now, so it's time to move on and provide proper support for it.

[Daigo]

Diposting pertama kali oleh Diabetus Maximus:

I see it as a good thing, otherwise ultrawide people would be having an unfair advantage in games. In singleplayer it's not as bad as it would be in competitive games, but it would still allow them to perform a lot better than non-ultrawide players. This seems like a good tradeoff. Besides, most games(especially big titles) are not designed for ultrawide. If anything they are designed primarily for 16:9, which is what basically all TVs use(and most monitors). Most big titles are console ports so...

Counter argument: ultrawide should be the target / norm since the immersion it provides, the cinematic experience is unparalleled by any other format right now. You will actually see a lot of games that have proper ultrawide support and look insanely good, and even games that don't support ultrawide but the devs will advertise the game with rendered scences / cinematics all done/ cropped ultrawide precisely because it looks so good.

I think the devs should state that this game does not properly support ultrawide resolutions, and warn the player when buying/selecting this in game, because it is obviously a lie to say you have implemented ultrawide by cropping the image ( its basically the equivalent of digital zoom in cameras - it is a lie, since you are not actually bringing the subject closer through optics, you are zooming/cropping into the image ).

As for your "advantage" argument, that would be a valid concern in multiplayer competitive games, not in a single player story driven, purposely cinematic game like the ascent is.

I for one am very thankful for the existence of these forums because thanks to the concerns expressed here by others I have not buyed the game ( I was very hyped for it ). Maybe someday when I feel like it's worth it to tinker with third party solutions I will get it, but right now it's all good, it can wait :)

[Vin]

Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
OS: Windows 10 x64
Processor: Intel Core i7-6700K (4 * 4000) or equivalent / AMD Ryzen 5 2600 (6 * 3400) or equivalent
Memory: 16 GB RAM
Graphics: Geforce GTX 1070 (8192 MB) / Radeon RX 5700 (8192 MB)
Storage: 35 GB available space
Additional Notes: The Recommended Specification listed below allows gameplay experience close to 60 FPS on average while using 1080p resolution and overall “High” settings:

take note. it was tested on the industry standard which is 1080p 60FPS. temper your expectations.

you knew what you were buying when you bought it. age old human condition of not reading labels i guess....

[Daigo]

Diposting pertama kali oleh Vin:

Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
OS: Windows 10 x64
Processor: Intel Core i7-6700K (4 * 4000) or equivalent / AMD Ryzen 5 2600 (6 * 3400) or equivalent
Memory: 16 GB RAM
Graphics: Geforce GTX 1070 (8192 MB) / Radeon RX 5700 (8192 MB)
Storage: 35 GB available space
Additional Notes: The Recommended Specification listed below allows gameplay experience close to 60 FPS on average while using 1080p resolution and overall “High” settings:

take note. it was tested on the industry standard which is 1080p 60FPS. temper your expectations.

you knew what you were buying when you bought it. age old human condition of not reading labels i guess....

From the game's F.A.Q : "Will The Ascent on PC include ultra-wide monitor support?
Yes, 21:9 works in borderless. Please note we are continuing to work to improve this functionality so you can select 21:9 in full screen as well. Thank you for your patience."

What it should actually say : " It kind of, sort of works, but it's cropped, so not ideal, and not a good implementation ( or any proper implementation ) of ultrawide. Be advised, it crops about 1/3 of the view vertically on 21:9 !"

[Robspassion]

You can also change the FoV with this tool:
https://community.pcgamingwiki.com/files/file/2250-the-ascent-ultrawide-superwide-fix-fov-changer/
However Windows Defender will detect this as a virus and you will need to create an exception for this file. I disabled the defender before unpacking it. Oh an to enable FOV ingame you need to click F9 fist and then you can change it with F4 or decrease it with F3.
Start The Ascent then start the Trainer. Ingame click F9 then F4 to increase fov. Works for me. Good luck!

[White ⁧⁧Wolf]

Diposting pertama kali oleh Daigo:

Counter argument: ultrawide should be the target / norm since the immersion it provides, the cinematic experience is unparalleled by any other format right now. You will actually see a lot of games that have proper ultrawide support and look insanely good, and even games that don't support ultrawide but the devs will advertise the game with rendered scences / cinematics all done/ cropped ultrawide precisely because it looks so good.

I think the devs should state that this game does not properly support ultrawide resolutions, and warn the player when buying/selecting this in game, because it is obviously a lie to say you have implemented ultrawide by cropping the image ( its basically the equivalent of digital zoom in cameras - it is a lie, since you are not actually bringing the subject closer through optics, you are zooming/cropping into the image ).

As for your "advantage" argument, that would be a valid concern in multiplayer competitive games, not in a single player story driven, purposely cinematic game like the ascent is.

I for one am very thankful for the existence of these forums because thanks to the concerns expressed here by others I have not buyed the game ( I was very hyped for it ). Maybe someday when I feel like it's worth it to tinker with third party solutions I will get it, but right now it's all good, it can wait :)

Our eyes aren't that wide apart. The 16:9 aspect ratio is just fine, and is standardised due to the optimal viewing angles. It is and has been the norm for monitors and TVs alike for a long time now. With ultrawide you will be either A) turning your head constantly which is a big no no, or having the monitor back even further from you and sacrificing the vertical viewing area, which is what such crazy aspect ratios do anyway. 16:9 covers the human field of vision nicely, while anything larger does not. You want real immersion? Play in a dark room, calculate optimal viewing distance and play on a big 16:9 monitor/TV. Then add a 7.1(or more) surround sound setup and you're set. To go even further, play some racing games with one of those racing chairs with wheel, pedals etc. Ultrawide is anything but immersive. It's not natural or optimal to view at all.

[Blowfeld]

Diposting pertama kali oleh Diabetus Maximus:

I see it as a good thing, otherwise ultrawide people would be having an unfair advantage in games. In singleplayer it's not as bad as it would be in competitive games, but it would still allow them to perform a lot better than non-ultrawide players. This seems like a good tradeoff. Besides, most games(especially big titles) are not designed for ultrawide. If anything they are designed primarily for 16:9, which is what basically all TVs use(and most monitors). Most big titles are console ports so...

I think your post is the best argument to lock all multiplayer games to 24 FPS and stop people being able to use more than 2 mouse buttons, so noone gets an unfair advantage.
I also think all games should be stereo, so those people with 51/ 7.1 stop having an advantage.
Also: Lock graphical options. Lowest settings for all, so noone can take advantage out of this!

PS: Still hoping that 18:9 becomes the new standard. David Fincher and a few others have found the sweet spot between wide and ultrawide in my opinion :)

[Citizen Alpha]

Diposting pertama kali oleh Diabetus Maximus:

Ultrawide is anything but immersive. It's not natural or optimal to view at all.

My ultrawide is very immersive unless there's some sort of bug (like in this game) that draws me out because it's jarring. Never really though someone would take the "less visible game the more immersive" stance before. Going back to a smaller monitor or early VR headset makes me feel like I'm viewing a game through a paper tube.

[White ⁧⁧Wolf]

Diposting pertama kali oleh Blowfeld:

I think your post is the best argument to lock all multiplayer games to 24 FPS and stop people being able to use more than 2 mouse buttons, so noone gets an unfair advantage.
I also think all games should be stereo, so those people with 51/ 7.1 stop having an advantage.
Also: Lock graphical options. Lowest settings for all, so noone can take advantage out of this!

PS: Still hoping that 18:9 becomes the new standard. David Fincher and a few others have found the sweet spot between wide and ultrawide in my opinion :)

I mean I won't deny there's some truth in what you say, even if it's most likely just pure sarcasm. Still, I mean like 24 FPS is ridiculous, as likely everyone in the world that can play current games has a monitor that is 60Hz or above.

Diposting pertama kali oleh Citizen Alpha:

Going back to a smaller monitor or early VR headset makes me feel like I'm viewing a game through a paper tube.

Sounds like you're at the wrong viewing distance then. The ultrawide height to width ratio is just not right for viewing at all. Yes, you can distance yourself enough from the monitor that you no longer need to turn your head or excessively move your eyes, to prevent all kinds of straining, but then you'd be missing out on the vertical viewing area. Our field of vision is a heck of a lot closer to 16:9 than it is to common ultrawide ARs.