Tech Focus - Motion Blur: Is It Good For Gaming Graphics?

Opinion is divided on this one for sure! Is motion blur good for gaming? Why do developers include it?

[crazyCoconuts]

Interesting video

[TheOptimist]

I hate any game that has motion blur and the first thing I do is switch off the motion blur in games. It just makes me nauseous.

[XentaJones]

motion blur makes me sick... so its off.

[OpenGL]

I agree with Alex here, many implementations are terrible but when it is done right it improves the experience.

[TheSplooge]

I always turn it off. Along with depth of field.

[Mr_Wilson]

Those plus vignetting, chromatic aberration, and film grain.

[Lexreborn2]

I hate motion blur, whenever DF would say a version was better because of motion blur I always rolled my eyes because motion blur is not a defining element to me and I don’t feel like any game has emplemented it in a good way

[Profchaos]

I like it overall it helps convey speed better imo. But in multiplayer it can prevent you from seeing your enemy correctly.
However single player motion blur all the way

[CaptainOmega]

I don't like motion blur. It gets turned off when the option is available

[morganfell]

The issue with motion blur is the implementation of the feature is based on a misperception of the human senses. We experience motion blur all the time in our everyday lives as we turn our head and look around. But the reality is we are unaware it is occurring. In games they have made the sensation overt and thus it is unrealistic. To many people it is annoying and for a few, sickening.

The same is partially true with headbob. In actuality, it occurs to varying degrees depending upon things as gait, skeletal structure, etc. But as we matured our brains rapidly developed compensation mechanisms such as your eye rotation almost imperceptibly up and down. They have made the sensation overt in many games and depending upon how it is instituted it can provide an unrealistic experience for the gamer.

[UltraNova]

Correct on all accounts. Human sensory physiology has evolved greatly. Did you know that the level of Retinal Persistence ( "motion blur") from person to person differs greatly depending on the amount of the specific retinal cells that help detect movement? There have been reports of people not experience motion blur at all due to eye morphology irregularities cause by genetics, or enviromental damage etc. As for how its done in games it greatly depends on the effect's intensity and quality, sometimes its done right and sometimes its not; even then some people will still find MB disturbing while others wont even notice its there. Its kinda like VR, some people can take while some can't.

[Newmanator]

Ah, how I love a post with some science behind it.

[Akarogg]

It can be a good thing in 30 fps titles

[iofhua]

Motion blur is annoying and interferes with my ability to play FPS. I expect to be able to see things as clearly as my eyes allow me to, so stop adding distortions to the game that interfere with my ability to aim.

Developers thinking that motion blur adds anything to the experience are 100% WRONG and should stop it.

[Lon3wolf]

I turn it off whenever possible, and normally DoF too (but that depends on the game and how well/badly it is implemented).

[Bobafret]

I always turn it down or off.

[Jinger]

I always turn it off or set it to low if there is no off. My one major gripe about SoD2 is the motion blur and I really hope they patch in the option to turn it off.

[Dragonopolis]

I'm not a big fan of all those effects either if possible the first thing that is turned off is motion blur...

I also don't like lens glare especially in a game that is first person view..... for me it often breaks the immersion.....

why is there lens glare in a game world with no cameras? I wear glasses and lighting does not reflect that dramatic even if the excuse was a visor or glasses..........
In a game that could justify or make sense of lens glare, I still find that game developers have overly done/over intensified the lens glare/flare and it just becomes a distraction..........

Someone above mention depth of field.... Now that one if done correctly, I can handle but I still want the option to turn it off or adjust the intensity in game if the dev/pub over does it (and depth of field is often over done) for whatever game...........

Maybe devs just need to tone all effects back just a bit (probably worse now with HDR ha!) haven't updated my set still enjoying my Plasma TV I have had for a few years still got inky blacks/fantastic contrast and color :-)

[Imalwaysright]

I hate motion blur with a passion and I always turn it off.

[That_Guy244]

Cant stand it one of the first setting's i mess with soon as a set up a new game.

[2ndhandcorn]

Need to scale it back a bit also the bloom is getting too much in some games , never get sick of depth of field effect though .