PC Gamer has initiated a community poll to determine the most egregious graphical effect in video games, pitting popular visual elements against each other in a knockout-style tournament. The current head-to-head matchup asks players to decide between motion blur and lens flare.
Other initial rounds include depth of field versus vignette and chromatic aberration versus dirt. The outcomes of these early rounds will determine which effects advance to subsequent stages.
Motion blur, often used to simulate the effect of rapid movement or a lower frame rate, can make fast-paced action difficult to discern. For example, aiming swiftly in Hunt: Showdown with motion blur enabled results in a significantly less clear image compared to when the effect is turned off, as demonstrated in comparative screenshots.
Lens flare, a visual artifact that occurs when light sources are directed into a camera lens, is another effect under scrutiny. In games with numerous light sources, such as Cyberpunk 2077's neon-drenched environments, lens flare can be prevalent. While sometimes subtle, it can also obscure details, as seen in comparisons of the effect on and off within the game.
Players are encouraged to cast their votes on the PC Gamer website and engage in discussions about the merits and drawbacks of each graphical effect, with the ongoing poll aiming to settle the debate until a similar discussion arises again in the future.