Field of View (FOV) Does It Really Make A Difference?

GhostSheets · Feb 21, 2012

Short answer? Yes

Long answer? Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees!

I've taken a moment out of my action packed, jet setter, rich and famous (NOT) lifestyle to snap some comparison pictures of the different FoV levels in Battlefield 3.

So let's get right down to business. Advanced warning: Don't mind our new Anti BaseRape Messages in the chat window

FOV: 60

FOV 90

FOV 60

FOV 90

FOV 60

FOV 90

You can start to see the huge difference in not only viewing space but the actual "zoom" or "largeness" of objects in the smaller FOV settings. An FOV of 60 is rather small, and limits your viewing space over all. 90 is as high as you can go and allows for a much larger viewing space. You may begin to think the higher setting offers you more advantage but you have to consider the pros and cons of each.

FOV 60 Pros:

Enemies appear larger on your screen, better for infantry combat.

Higher FPS due to smaller viewing space and less GPU utilization.

FOV 60 Cons:

Peripheral view is limited due to smaller viewing space

Overall viewing space from air vehicles is limited. May miss acquiring targets out of view space.

FOV 90 Pros:

Larger view area, puts more enemies in your viewing space making you more situationally (is that a word? ) aware.

Peripheral vision greatly expanded which will benefit your gun fights in close quarters battle. Users with lower FOV simply may not see enemies on their screen like you would on yours.

FOV 90 Cons:

More CPU/GPU intensive due to having to render more at once.

Enemies appear smaller on your screen due to the zoomed out perspective. This requires more precise aiming and gives enemies with lower FOV the upper hand.

Enemies much further away from you on the map may go completely unnoticed because of how small they appear.

Each setting has its own pros and cons so deciding where to set your FOV value should be a balance of graphical performance and play style. If you prefer to play close quarters combat on smaller more tightly packed maps, then a lower FOV setting of 60 will benefit you. Larger maps with large open spaces and air vehicles would benefit players with higher FOV settings, allowing them to see more of what's happening in their surroundings. Experiment with the values and see what number works best for you. I personally play on 60 because I like my enemies to appear larger on my screen. It makes gunplay more satisfying and has me squinting at the screen far less often.

Note: FOV changes will not take affect until you quit and restart the game.

More shots:

Hard to believe that the building on the left with the explosion impact marks on it is the same thing.

Not much difference in the crater perspective from close up, but things that are further and further away really start to look different.

In this shot it's almost kind of hard to tell what the difference is, but all you really have to do is look at the horizon!
Click to expand...

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CrazyKillerCat · Feb 21, 2012

Tried going back to 60 FoV from 90, feels REALLY weird but it DOES make it easier to spot enemies.

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Field of View (FOV) Does It Really Make A Difference?

Field of View (FOV) Does It Really Make A Difference?

Discussion in 'Main' started by GhostSheets, Feb 21, 2012.

GhostSheets Opus Eponymous

CrazyKillerCat Admin & Graphics Designer

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Field of View (FOV) Does It Really Make A Difference?

Field of View (FOV) Does It Really Make A Difference?

Discussion in 'Main' started by GhostSheets, Feb 21, 2012.

GhostSheets Opus Eponymous

CrazyKillerCat Admin & Graphics Designer

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