Shortscreened: BioShock's Widescreen Pissing People Off

News Reader · Post by **News Reader** » August 21st, 2007, 16:01

Shortscreened: BioShock's Widescreen Pissing People Off

What's wrong with this picture? Well the normal area shows what the BioShock demo looks like on a widescreen monitor. The red areas show the extra space added when the game is played in standard 4:3 ratio. This is not how widescreen is supposed to work. Instead of slicing the top and bottom off of the image, widescreen should allow players to see more on either side. I have to agree with Paddy the Wak from the Widescreen Gaming Forum who posted the picture above - awwwww pants.

Now the 2K forums are alive with the sound of angry, as more gamers verify the problem on their PCs and 360s, with one of the latest posts as of this writing confirming that the screen clipping appears on the 360 retail version as well.

Shoddy, shoddy work 2K. People invest in widescreen display solutions to see more, not less. 2KB's Chris Kline was even asked specifically if widescreen would display additional image as compared to 4:3 in this thread here.

You will see more in widescreen. We use a different projection matrix; there is no squashing or stretching of the image involved.

So what happened? So far no one officially has commented in the 2K forum post. Just a lot of angry people canceling their preorders until the issue is addressed and fixed. While it may seem like a piddling issue to some, cutting off the top and bottom of the screen not only produces less picture, but also has the effect of blowing up the textures and making the camera view tighter than it was before due to cramping.

Would this be enough to keep you from purchasing BioShock? I'm still on board, but then I feel I have a certain obligation to pick up and play one of the biggest titles of the year. Hit the link below to read the full 2K forum thread, filled with disturbingly rational discussion and cool heads. Seriously, it's almost spooky.

Widescreen messed up ... [2K Forums - Thanks Saiwen!]

Author: Mike Fahey
Category: 2K Games angry Bioshock Bugs Shortscreened Widescreen
Publish Date: Tue, 21 Aug 2007 11:00:03 EDT
Read more...

Source: Kotaku

buzzmong · Post by **buzzmong** » August 21st, 2007, 16:55

Unlucky for those people who like to get moar in widescreen.

But

at the people on 2k's forums who are cancelling pre-orders because it doesn't do widescreen properly.

Post by **Dr. kitteny berk** » August 21st, 2007, 17:10

Unfortunately, It's not totally unreasonable, The game does have a very weird feel in widescreen.

spoodie · Post by **spoodie** » August 21st, 2007, 18:42

Another reason for me to be happy for choosing the cheaper PC version over the 360.

I just hope it runs okay.

mrbobbins · Post by **mrbobbins** » August 21st, 2007, 19:31

This is pretty shoddy for such a high profile game as this, not gonna make me cancel my order but it does piss me off

Post by **Dr. kitteny berk** » August 21st, 2007, 19:55

mrbobbins wrote:This is pretty shoddy for such a high profile game as this, not gonna make me cancel my order but it does piss me off

Pretty significant fuckup in a very significant game.

In theory, it should be a fairly easy fix, at best a few config file fettles etc. at worst some reasonably minor engine fettling.

Amusingly, This is a games for windows game (IIRC) but this method of widescreen-making isn't allowed for games to get the games for windows cookie.

Post by **HereComesPete** » August 22nd, 2007, 2:18

Hmm, It's a big fuckup, but it's wouldn't going to stop me playing what is a rather fucking big deal of a game. Thats if I had a widescreen, which I don't...unless I buy one when I really shouldn't. (Go on egg me on, then I can blame everyone for making me buy it, stupid peer pressure)

Post by **Dr. kitteny berk** » August 22nd, 2007, 2:21

HereComesPete wrote:Hmm, It's a big fuckup, but it's wouldn't going to stop me playing what is a rather fucking big deal of a game. Thats if I had a widescreen, which I don't...unless I buy one when I really shouldn't. (Go on egg me on, then I can blame everyone for making me buy it, stupid peer pressure)

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showprodu ... 10&subcat=

Fairly decent, fairly cheap. (I use one as my second monitor)

Post by **HereComesPete** » August 22nd, 2007, 2:48

Damn you berk! Thats a nice monitor at a nice price!

Post by **Dr. kitteny berk** » August 22nd, 2007, 2:50

I know, it's not nearly as nice as their geek-level monitors.

it's not height adjustable, only has DVI and VGA in, and no support for a soundbar.

but if you care about that stuff, it's a bloody good deal.

Post by **HereComesPete** » August 22nd, 2007, 3:07

Does anybody bar chicken use a tv for gaming? I've looked at getting a nice looking samsung 32" Hd thing for ~£500, although I may end up getting that as well for my virgin cable tv when I move to newcastle, what with that being about 2 weeks away.

Post by **Dr. kitteny berk** » August 22nd, 2007, 3:14

HereComesPete wrote:Does anybody bar chicken use a tv for gaming? I've looked at getting a nice looking samsung 32" Hd thing for ~£500, although I may end up getting that as well for my virgin cable tv when I move to newcastle, what with that being about 2 weeks away.

I think grimmie does to some level too.

Personally, I take higher resolutions over more size, A huge screen at 1440x900 just doesn't work for me, Especially now you can get the nice 24", 1920x1200 dells for a bit under £500

Post by **HereComesPete** » August 22nd, 2007, 3:19

I keep thinking would I have to sit back to see? Or keep bobbing my head about like david grey mid tune? I think another monitor and a big ass sexy hd telly is the way to go. I've been showing the prices to the gf, and she's saying things like 'ooh, thats cheap for such a nice looking telly', and 'hmm, we really should use your old tv for longer, but it would be nice to get a new flatscren that would fit on things', so I've almost won that battle.

Post by **Dr. kitteny berk** » August 22nd, 2007, 3:23

Only way to know is by trying it really. (all else fails, buy the telly, try it, declare it to be hers and buy yourself a monitor)

Post by **HereComesPete** » August 22nd, 2007, 3:39

Dr. kitteny berk wrote:*snip*declare it to be hers*snip*

Whut! Are you crazy! Its mine, and the monitor will be mine as well, she can have an iron or some other generic mysogenist themed female thing, an oven or duster or whatever! Shiny electronics are for me, she can watch it, but I'll be driving the 'mote.

mrbobbins · Post by **mrbobbins** » August 22nd, 2007, 7:46

Dr. kitteny berk wrote:Personally, I take higher resolutions over more size, A huge screen at 1440x900 just doesn't work for me

This, it's fine for HDTV (But that's a different discussion) but at that res you want a smaller TV, or a proper monitor with a GFX card busting resolution

Chickenz · Post by **Chickenz** » August 22nd, 2007, 16:42

is the dilemma I now face. Stick with a nice 26'' HDTV/Monitor or get a 22'' dell like Berks and use the telly as it was meant to be used.

buzzmong · Post by **buzzmong** » August 22nd, 2007, 18:54

*Update lurking somewhere in news posts*

2k are aware of it, and Ken Livingstone* is working on it

*Might as well be, but it's really Levine

Post by **deject** » August 22nd, 2007, 19:25

http://www.2kgames.com/cultofrapture/home.html

Chickenz · Post by **Chickenz** » August 22nd, 2007, 21:03

There is a fix for the demo. Can be found here: http://www.widescreengamingforum.com/fo ... 586#108586