The Witcher 3 is a stunning game, and I think everyone with a sliver of knowledge about the RPG already knows that. There are many techniques that go towards creating immersive, gorgeous back drops, one of which is chromatic aberration. It’s a setting that often stays locked away from player tweaking, but CD Projekt RED isn’t going to force it on you if you really don’t like it.
What is chromatic aberration in the first place though? The effect blurs the image currently being displayed on screen around the edges, and chromatically messes with some of the colours as well. It’s a filter of sorts, and used correctly it produces a superior image that also helps focus your eyes on what the camera is currently focusing on. Used over-zealously though, and you end up with a picture that looks like it needs 3D glasses to be viewed correctly. Dying Light, for example, uses it quite heavily, giving everything an odd sort of hazy, shimmering look.
Most games, however, don’t allow you to set how intense the effect is, which can completely ruin some visuals in certain games. Bloodborne, for example, features a high level of chromatic aberration which puts some off, while Lords of the Fallen abused the setting to hell and back. The Witcher 3 (on PC at least) will let you turn it completely off though, much like motion blur settings eventually made their way to options screens.
And that’s good news for any of you hoping to snap some pretty in-game shots without the immeense blurring – which may even have its own app support from within the game.
@Snacze not without our devs only debugmode. let me bring this up with the team OK? You’re not the 1st to ask so it must be important 🙂
— Damien Monnier (@Bacon_is_life) March 29, 2015
The Witcher 3 is out on PC, Xbox One and PS4 in May. I think it’s easier to ask who’s not excited at this point.
Last Updated: March 30, 2015
Pariah
March 30, 2015 at 15:04
^ not excited.
Admiral Chief
March 30, 2015 at 15:09
I am, but that is because I did not have to pay for the game!
Dutch Matrix
March 30, 2015 at 15:41
Take you away from a PC for two days and the idea of playing noughts and crosses will excite you!
Dutch Matrix
March 30, 2015 at 15:24
Neither am I, to be honest.
Captain JJ the damned
March 30, 2015 at 15:30
On the Lagz comments section it seems to be the other way around Sandy.
I’m excited though.
Mossel
March 30, 2015 at 15:37
So am I! Really loved the first two games, played them all more than once. So this has me very excited indeed.
Captain JJ the damned
March 30, 2015 at 15:38
😀
I’m itching to replay 2 again before this
Pariah
March 30, 2015 at 15:39
I tried. I reinstalled, and kind of got into the first town in act 1, and then just uninstalled. So bored.
Captain JJ the damned
March 30, 2015 at 15:39
You underestimate my determination. 😉
Pariah
March 30, 2015 at 15:44
Nope, but I’m pretty clear on mine. 😛
Dutch Matrix
March 30, 2015 at 15:40
I’m just itching for a bath right about now.
RinceThis
March 30, 2015 at 15:32
I know a few who are. I want this game to come with a day one 40 gig patch. Just because TROLL. TRALALALALA
Greylingad
March 30, 2015 at 15:34
Bwaaaahaaaahaaaa!!
Dutch Matrix
March 30, 2015 at 15:35
But is that not some form of DRM???
Greylingad
March 30, 2015 at 15:35
Stop it you guys! I’m going to wet myself!
Captain JJ the damned
March 30, 2015 at 15:35
Technically Rince is Lazygamer’s DRM. He checks in every now and then just to make sure everything is still under control.
Wendy Botha
March 30, 2015 at 15:37
Does he even write any articles, I am confused as to what he/she does?
Dutch Matrix
March 30, 2015 at 15:38
Rince is the guy we fling ginger abuse at.
Pariah
March 30, 2015 at 15:38
It. Nobody knows. All we know is that it’s a Ginger. And it is to be feared.
Captain JJ the damned
March 30, 2015 at 15:38
He does for The Movies. Or, at least he puts his name at the bottom.
Dutch Matrix
March 30, 2015 at 15:39
His stamp of assproval?
Captain JJ the damned
March 30, 2015 at 15:40
Well, now there’s an image I’ll never forget.
Pariah
March 30, 2015 at 15:43
Imagine how his mother feels.
Wendy Botha
March 30, 2015 at 15:41
How does that make him/her staff for LazyGamer, does he/she bring the other guys coffee at least.
Dutch Matrix
March 30, 2015 at 15:42
Troll us a bit, and you will see what Rince does. 😛
Wendy Botha
March 30, 2015 at 15:43
run away
Mark Treloar
March 30, 2015 at 16:08
He steals souls
Blood Emperor Trevor
March 30, 2015 at 19:37
And is unwanted 😉
Pariah
March 30, 2015 at 15:38
OMG! MIND BLOWN!
BurnZ
March 30, 2015 at 15:37
No bro, don’t say it! its the commentators curse!! My horribly slow 2mb line will take a lifetime to download that!! (haha if its close to BL:HJC patch it will take something like 2 days!)
z1n
March 31, 2015 at 13:15
There’s something missing here… Where is ryanza when you need him/her?
Greylingad
March 30, 2015 at 15:33
With all this talk and the release of single screenshots etc. I’m not sure that I’ll be excited for much longer… But you can’t not lose yourself in that view… Bloody hell….
Dutch Matrix
March 30, 2015 at 15:37
I just have this feeling this game is going to be The Elder Scrolls VI: Witcher. Or maybe Skyrim 2.0
Ryanza
March 30, 2015 at 16:07
Chromatic aberration. Oh, I just thought I needed glasses to play. Thank god my eyes are not getting old.
I don’t even know if this comment makes sense. I must be getting old.
Tom
March 30, 2015 at 18:03
I’ve heard that the game runs at 900p max with all setting turned on and graphics will be there
Ryanza
March 30, 2015 at 18:25
Questions like that should be reversed for when the game is released. The the testing with different graphic cards will happen.
So far they have said that 900p is for Xbox One and 1080p for PS4.
It has been hinted that the recommended PC requirements is for high settings running at 30fps. But that is not written in stone yet.
As I said wait till the game is released then we will know the game will perform on different graphic cards.
DAOWAce
March 31, 2015 at 02:24
Chromatic Aberration is the reason I haven’t played the few games coming out with it.
Seems to be a new trend and it’s absolutely disgusting. Yeah, Alien Isolation fits with it because it’s replicating a THIRTY SIX YEAR OLD FILM, and they even have an option to turn it off. No game needs it; ever.
It’s just absolutely stupid. I’d rather play with FXAA, and that’s horrid.