BF2S Forums High in-game visual settings; Disadvantage?

There are both benefits and disadvantages to having  a very high graphic setting.

Benefits comes from being able to see in better detail. Hence you see further, see movement easier and you can distinguish a soldier prone next to an object better than someone who simply see a boxy shape move. Easier to aim long distance shots.

Disadvantages comes from the fact that you can see everything including tall grass, bushes and all the neat stuff that makes the game pretty. Shadows, lighting, shaders. Someone with a lower setting does not have to worry about many of the bushes because they are not actual permanent models and are just pretty scenary. Hence you may think you are hiding behind a bush but in actuality to the person with lower graphics you are hiding in the middle of the open. Easy shot. Also you may think you are hiding in a nice dark alcove which is hard to see into. The person with the lower graphic settings may see no shadows at all and instead you are night and lit on his monitor. Bang easy shot.

So higher graphics = viewing distance, detail movement, pretty game.
Lower graphics = no unnecessary bushes and grass, no shadows and light flares.
Frame rate might also be a factor for some.

Each has their advantages and disadvantages.

The server can't force a client to change their video settings.

kilroy0097 wrote:

So higher graphics = viewing distance, detail movement, pretty game.
Lower graphics = no unnecessary bushes and grass, no shadows and light flares.
Frame rate might also be a factor for some.

Each has their advantages and disadvantages.

You mean, all the time I've been running and hiding from bush to bush, someone may see me out in the open ducking and diving for nothing.... I don't know whether to laugh or cry

New mod for future games: sandwich board that says 'I'm here!!!'

thinner44 wrote:

kilroy0097 wrote:

So higher graphics = viewing distance, detail movement, pretty game.
Lower graphics = no unnecessary bushes and grass, no shadows and light flares.
Frame rate might also be a factor for some.

Each has their advantages and disadvantages.

You mean, all the time I've been running and hiding from bush to bush, someone may see me out in the open ducking and diving for nothing.... I don't know whether to laugh or cry

New mod for future games: sandwich board that says 'I'm here!!!'

Well keep in mind there are two types of ground cover.

Static pretty ground cover and Static object ground cover.
Those big fern palm bush things are static object ground cover. Hence if you hide behind them then you are really hiding behind them. If someone shoots at them with a big ass cannon it will hit the palm and not hurt you behind it. Yea I know its stupid but that's how objects work.

Then there are pretty bushes that look like holly bushes and really tall grass that waves across fields. Yea no use going prone and sneaking around... I see you the entire time. And if I was a sniper you would be dead.

If you really want to find out what you see that I don't see then set your graphical settings in the medium and low range. It will look crappy but at least you will learn but to hide behind and in and where not to hide.

=[4th]=Lynx wrote:

i run all my settings on low, only because my pc wont handle high settings

im going to upgrade my motherboard and processor (cant upgrade my processor without getting a new motherboard caus it sucks!)     anyone got any sugestions on what motherboard and processor to get so i can run all settings on high........

i have 1GB of ram but if i got a new motherboard id probaly upgrade that to 2GB+   

Upgrade your motherboard you will probably have to upgrade your ram. I would look into first before you assume you can keep your ram. You may have to find someone who will buy the Mainboard, Processor and Memory off you as a package deal.

Its alot harder to hit a moving enemy with 30 FPS than it is with 60+

Plus AA makes it alot easier to hit long range targets.

Dynamic Lightning is very useful. It allows you to spot enemys who are around a corner when they shoot, because of the flash
Got me quite a lot kills this setting

But i wonder if there are any differences between the viewing distance at different computers... i have set mine to 100% and model details to high, but my buddy sees my helo before i can see his AA... with the same settings. only difference is, i've got a radeon9600 Pro and he got a Radeon9800...

I have to run my game settings on low 800x600, but from my understanding i'm sure i should be able to run it higher than this without low FPS. A quick glance at my setup is:

3.2Ghz P4 w/ 800mhz FSB
1.5GB of RAM
Radeon 9800XT 256MB    8xAGP
Creative Labs Soundblaster Audigy 2 Value
1xMaxtor 40GB HDD - for OS and system files.
1xSATA RAID Drive 160GB - games n' shit
Not too sure on my motherboard.

I was experiencing problems with the game screen lagging when certain sound files played so I added the soundcard as I thought that this would have been down to the onboard sound milking the CPU it worked and now runs seamlessley but not on any other setting. I've installed the game on both HD's but to no avail.
What should i upgrade now? Please help me as i've not been keeping upto date with the latest technology this past few months. Thanks in advance.

Back ontopic: Yes i do beleive low settings holds more advantages than higher. I find it's mainly because of the shadows when my friend thinks he is well hidden in a shadowy corner I tell him that he's sitting in the middle of a bright magnolia coloured room wearing dark green & black camo and sticks out like a sore thumb.

I usually disable shadows in multiplayer FPS games, because you can see much better in what would normally be dark and shadowy areas. In BF2 set lighting on low. With lighting on medium or high, the game does look a lot better but some areas like alleyways or indoor locations are simply too dark, and you may not be able to see a hidden enemy soldier.

If you set geometry on medium or high, the level of detail on vehicles increases. You'll be able to see them from further away. This is especially useful if you're flying a jet or heli, because you can see enemy jets/helicopters or AA vehicles in the distance.

Enabling dymanic shadows gives soldiers and vehicles a shadow. Under the right circumstances this can be useful for spotting a soldier standing around the corner. You can see muzzle flashes if you enable dynamic lighting, which could give you an advantage.

I prefer playing with a higher resolution instead of more AA. At first I was playing at 1024x768 and 4xAA, but then I switched to 1280x1024 and 2xAA. It makes the graphics look more clear (especially in the distance), thus making it easier to hit targets at long range.

McCullough wrote:

I run my settings on Medium and it works fine, wnat to run on high though so i'm going to upgrade my graficcard and increase my ram to 2GB.

Same... I have 1GB ram and a 6600GT and I run on Medium and everyhting looks great. but I want high graphics. so I'm getting(soon I hope) another gig of ram and probably a 6800GT.. and if I have the money, a 7800GTx.

Milk.org wrote:

I have to run my game settings on low 800x600, but from my understanding i'm sure i should be able to run it higher than this without low FPS. A quick glance at my setup is:

3.2Ghz P4 w/ 800mhz FSB
1.5GB of RAM
Radeon 9800XT 256MB    8xAGP
Creative Labs Soundblaster Audigy 2 Value
1xMaxtor 40GB HDD - for OS and system files.
1xSATA RAID Drive 160GB - games n' shit
Not too sure on my motherboard.

I was experiencing problems with the game screen lagging when certain sound files played so I added the soundcard as I thought that this would have been down to the onboard sound milking the CPU it worked and now runs seamlessley but not on any other setting. I've installed the game on both HD's but to no avail.
What should i upgrade now? Please help me as i've not been keeping upto date with the latest technology this past few months. Thanks in advance.

Back ontopic: Yes i do beleive low settings holds more advantages than higher. I find it's mainly because of the shadows when my friend thinks he is well hidden in a shadowy corner I tell him that he's sitting in the middle of a bright magnolia coloured room wearing dark green & black camo and sticks out like a sore thumb.

Thats better specs than my
2.8 P4
2gb generic 3200
and 9800 Pro

Have you tried playing with your video settings in your display properties? Your settings might be set to performance (high AA/AF/Res).

I play with 2xAA - 1024x780 and all medium and high with around 50 - 70fps

I snipe with ultra high settings all the time and have never had a problem hiding behind any grass or plant.  I only get spotted when a commander scans/uav or I when I miss a headshot and give away my position through noise or the direction of my hit.

So I think the argument with low/medium versus high is overrated.

If you can play with high/ultra high settings then do so.