Playing games on Samsung's massive new computer monitor and other ultrawide monitors gives you an advantage

pulse

June 12, 2017 4:27 PM

Is it cheating if you're playing against someone with a standard monitor?

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I've been playing PC games on Acer's X34 ultra-wide monitor for a few months, and I can safely say that compared to standard monitors, wider monitors offer a distinct advantage.

Ultrawide monitors like Acer's X34 have a 21:9 aspect ratio, whereas standard monitors have a 16:9 aspect ratio. That 21:9 aspect ratio translates to a wider field-of-view than a standard monitor, which means I can spot enemies that I normally wouldn't see with a standard monitor.

The benefits of a wider field-of-view was one of Samsung's main selling points for its latest "super ultrawide" CHG90 monitor, which has an insane 32:9 aspect ratio and is wider than standard 16:9 monitors, and even the 21:9 X34 ultrawide monitor. From Samsung's demo and my own experience with ultrawide monitors, those benefits ring true.

Check it out:

Here's what the "Battlefield 1" game looks like while using a standard 16:9 monitor.

And here's what "Battlefield 1" looks like on Samsung 32:9 CHG90 monitor.

Is it cheating?

You can pick up an ultra-wide monitors, like this model from LG, for relatively cheap.

ultrawide monitor for as low as $157 from Amazon

Additionally, the new interest in ultrawide monitors may make PC gamers feel like they need to purchase a new monitor just to keep up with players with ultrawide monitors, even if their normal 16:9 monitor works just fine.

At the end of the day, it's a matter of choice, as well as keeping up with the evolution of tech. Ultrawide and super ultrawide monitors are part of that evolution, and they're not going anywhere. So, while it does give you an advantage, it's not necessarily unfair.

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