PC Gamer has initiated a reader poll to determine the most controversial graphical effect in video games, pitting common visual techniques against each other in a knockout format. The publication is seeking to establish which effects, such as film grain, bloom, motion blur, and chromatic aberration, are considered the least desirable by players.
The tournament features several head-to-head matchups. Current polls include "Depth of field vs vignette" and "Chromatic aberration vs dirt." Upcoming rounds will pit "Motion blur vs lens flare" and "Film grain vs bloom" against each other. The process will move through three rounds to determine a single winner.
Bloom, an effect that simulates the way light scatters and glows in real-world cameras, can be overused but also implemented effectively. The article provides an example from Deadlock, showcasing bloom used for a bright projector.
Film grain, designed to emulate the texture of analog film, was noted as being less offensive than expected in many tested games. An example from Phasmophobia illustrates its subtle presence, particularly visible at the top of the frame.