As an avid gamer and streaming enthusiast, proper field of view (FOV) settings are essential for fully immersing myself in virtual worlds while remaining competitive. In this comprehensive guide, I’ll tap into the science of FOV and years of firsthand experience to demystify this crucial yet overlooked aspect of gaming.
The Science Behind Field of View
Before examining FOV in games, let’s briefly cover how field of view works in human vision. The field of view refers to the horizontal and vertical angular area that can be observed without moving our eyes or head.
Humans have an incredible field of view thanks to peripheral vision. Research indicates that each eye can see around 160 degrees horizontally when staring straight ahead. Combined, our binocular field of view is close to 180 degrees horizontally and 130 degrees vertically [1].
This ultra-wide field of view allows humans to be aware of their full surroundings – an evolutionary advantage that kept our ancestors safe from predators. Our peripheral vision detects motion and allows us to quickly shift focus to threats approaching from the side.
Games attempt to mimic this natural field of view within the constrained window of our screens and displays. The angle of the player‘s viewable area in a game is referred to as the field of view or FOV.
But replicating the human visual range is tricky with current screen technology. Let‘s examine why.
Why Extreme FOV Causes Distortion on Screens
As a tech expert, I‘m fascinated by the challenge of recreating human vision in games. Our 180 degree horizontal FOV would require a curved screen that fills the player‘s view. But on today‘s flat displays, mimicking that wide perspective creates a distorted "fisheye" effect.
For example, at 180 degree FOV each eye would see 90 degrees left and right. Trying to show this entire range on a 16:9 monitor actually bulges and stretches the image at the edges [2].
To avoid this warping, games select a balanced field of view between realism and playability. Typically 60 to 90 degrees horizontally for first person shooters.
This FOV compromise is understandable when we consider how screens occupy a tiny portion of our vision. For example, a 24" monitor held 2 feet away subtends around 40 degrees of field of view. Attempting 180 degree FOV on a sub-100 degree display naturally distorts the image.
So what FOV ranges deliver an immersive experience without sacrificing visual fidelity? Let’s examine FOV best practices based on genre and display.
Recommended FOV Ranges for Gaming
Choosing the ideal field of view involves balancing multiple factors:
- Screen size/distance
- Competitive vs story driven games
- Motion sickness concerns
- Target size/visibility
Based on my testing and research, here are the FOV ranges I recommend for popular genres:
First Person Shooters
Competitive (PC): 90-120 degrees. Maximizes awareness without excessive edge distortion. Makes tracking targets easier.
Console: 60-100 degrees. Smaller displays allow lower FOV without feeling restricted. Wider FOV impacts performance on limited hardware.
Simulation (VR): 110-140 degrees comes close to natural vision, minimizing motion sickness.
Third Person Action
Over-the-shoulder: Around 80-100 degrees provides a good balance between awareness and target focus.
Isometric view: FOV is less critical, but 70-90 degree FOV feels natural.
Racing/Flight Simulation
- As wide as possible, around 130-170 degrees for maximum immersion. Some minor distortion is acceptable when focused on distant objects.
RPG and Story Driven Games
Default 60-80 degrees creates intimate feel appropriate for cutscenes and exploring.
Option to widen FOV can accommodate player preferences.
The Benefits and Drawbacks of FOV
Why do competitive gamers demand ultra-wide FOV while cinematic games default to narrower views? Let‘s examine the key advantages and disadvantages of FOV:
Wider Field of View:
Pros:
Improved awareness – ability to spot threats in peripheral vision
Easier tracking of moving targets
Increased sense of speed and immersion
Reduced motion sickness by matching natural FOV
Cons:
Smaller targets due to perspective – less precise aiming
Can be disorienting until acclimated
Potential performance impact from rendering more objects
Narrower Field of View
Pros:
Larger targets for easier, more precise aiming
Less demand on hardware – smoother framerates
Focused view well suited for cutscenes
Cons:
- Restricted visibility reduces situational awareness
Clearly FOV involves carefully balancing the need for tactical awareness versus pinpoint aiming precision. Let‘s see how to fine tune FOV for different gaming scenarios.
Adjusting Your Field of View for Competitive Advantage
One key advantage PC gamers have over their console brethren is the ability to customize field of view. Increasing FOV improves situational awareness, allowing you to spot enemies sooner for a tactical edge.
However, be aware that boosting FOV shrinks targets in the distance. I suggest incrementally increasing FOV until reaching the widest angle you can aim effectively within. Start at 90 degrees, and try as high as 140 before targets become too small.
On consoles, FOV is usually locked around 60-80 degrees in multiplayer games. Some titles offer FOV boosts up to around 105 degrees, which I encourage maximizing if available.
Certain games incorporate dynamic FOV – the view expands while sprinting then narrows when aiming down sights. This offers the best of both worlds, but can be disorienting until adjusted.
Matching Display Size and Viewing Distance
Desktop gamers should factor in monitor size and viewing distance when choosing an FOV. Larger screens and closer viewing allow increasing FOV while retaining target focus.
For example, on a 24" monitor at 2 feet, 90 degrees FOV feels appropriate. But with a 55" TV at 6 feet, FOV could be boosted to 120 degrees for equivalent target sizes.
Adjust your FOV based on this rough guide:
| Screen Size | View Distance | FOV Range |
|---|---|---|
| 24" monitor | 2-3 feet | 90-110 degrees |
| 32" monitor | 2-4 feet | 100-120 degrees |
| 40-55" TV | 4-8 feet | 100-140 degrees |
Of course genre and personal preference still drive ideal settings. But use these values as a starting point.
The Evolution of Field of View in Gaming
Early 3D games in the 1990s often locked FOV around 60-80 degrees due to technical limitations. As graphics cards improved, PC games began offering FOV sliders around 2000.
Classic console shooters like Goldeneye used 60 degree FOV to fill 4:3 screens. As 16:9 HDTVs arrived, their wider aspect ratio allowed increased FOV up to around 90 degrees in modern titles like Call of Duty.
PC FOV has expanded to super-wide angles thanks to panoramic multi-monitor and VR setups. VR headsets render an immersive 110 degree view to minimize motion sickness.
Matching the Human Field of View
How close are today’s FOV settings to natural human vision? Most games fall short of our 180 degree range, instead targeting 60 vertical and 90-130 horizontal FOV.
To truly match human eyesight would require curved monitors that fill peripheral vision. The most immersive way to experience proper FOV is VR headsets or multi-monitor panoramic gaming rigs.
For example, the awesome Omnideck simulates 180 degree FOV using a concave screen and treadmill [3]. I dream of owning a setup like this someday!
My Recommendations as an Expert Gamer
After analyzing field of view from both technical and experiential angles, here are my personal FOV recommendations:
Competitive FPS: Always maximize your FOV if hardware permits – up to 140 degrees for maximum awareness. Just maintain enough target visibility to stay accurate.
Racing/flight sims: Crank FOV to 130 degrees or higher for full immersion. Use cockpit view rather than chase view for most natural perspective.
Third person action games: Around 90-100 degrees strikes a good balance between situational awareness and precise melee combat.
RPGs/adventure games: Default FOV around 80 degrees creates an intimate feel well-suited to exploration. Give players option to widen if desired.
Console games: Take advantage of any FOV boosts available, but don‘t expect PC-levels of adjustment due to hardware constraints.
Closing Thoughts on Field of View
I hope this guide has demystified field of view so you can fine-tune your settings for maximum gaming enjoyment. FOV has a remarkable impact on immersion, comfort, and competitiveness.
My key advice is to experiment freely and choose the widest FOV you can play effectively within. Our eyes see nearly 180 degrees, so push your virtual field of view to the limits!
Of course graphics technology will continue evolving. One day flawless 180 degree views may be possible without distortion. Until then, make the most of the options available – a wider view can profoundly improve your gaming experience.
Let me know if you have any other FOV tips or questions! I‘m always seeking to optimize my setup for the most immersive experience possible.
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