21:9 Support [Solved]

[Havamal]

Most games, Battletech included, calculate aspic ratios based on the reported monitor size. What is often not calculated the the menu overlays... the 2d portions of the display that give you readouts, selection buttons and other information that is superimposed over the 3D screen. Even though Battletech is non a traditional first person shooter, it still is 3D. So the screen is fine or so I have read. It's just that 2D portions that show you your readouts, selection buttons and other information needed to play are in the wrong areas because thay are hard coded to be at certain coordinates or calculated based on a supported screen ratio.

Now here is why this problem is maddening and VERY easy to fix. Each aspect ratio (21:9, 4:3, 16:9 etc...) require nothing but a simple text file listing the position of each 3D menu item.

For example:

1920x1080 which is the current most popular resolution is 16:9 or 16 pixels in width for every 9 pixels in height. Many laptops and smaller monitors use 1366×768 which is also 16:9 so to support the 16:9 aspect ratio all a company has to do is to create a text file listing all the supported resolutions (they all currently do this) saying something like this:

1920,1080,540,200,600,220 etc...
1366,767,500,180, 580, 215 etc...

You see the game looks up the resolution you are playing at and places each menu item at the correct coordinate. All you need to do to fix this is to add the two lines for 21:9 and place the few dozen on screen overlay graphics in the correct spot and record the location numbers. It would take less than an hour!

2560,1080,xxx,xxx,xxx,xxx
3440x1440,xxx,xxx,xxx,xxx

It's really that simple!

Right now every supported resolution has a lookup table listing the x/y screen coordinates for the menu items. Apparently Battletech allows you to play at 21:9 ratio but they never too the hour or so to add in the menu location coordinates for the 21:9 ratio.

This is why this is so inexcusable. Want to make it even more crazy, they do not even have to figure out both of those resolutions because once you do 2560,1080 you can simply use a calculator to multiply 2560 and 1080 by the correct multiplier and you have the additional resolution placement numbers.

So we solved the Black bars comment then. There aren't any. Yes, previous comments mentioned the UI being extra large at that res. Understood there. As for it being that simple, I've personally experienced several games where it wasn't the case with the UI and it was actually a complex issue driving problems with UI scale up, and the Devs response to this so far leads me to believe the instance is similar though I certainly don't know for sure.

I hope you see what you're looking for implemented at some point at any rate.

 

[FlavourBeans]

anyone with an Ultrawide is going to be very upset about this.

Ehh, as someone who's been working with an ultrawide for a while now, and who plays a variety of games across different genres and ranging from one-person dev teams on freebie engines to triple-A releases, having trouble running a game in 21:9, especially right after release, is something not worth getting worked up over. It's enough of an enthusiast's product that most people who pick one up are aware of what they're getting themselves into, know the work-arounds such as running windowed or switching to 16:9 mode, or know that .ini hacks are usually found before too long. And in most cases, it's something the devs patch in officially sooner than later.

Lack of 21:9 support, or just flawed implementation of it, happens enough that you kinda get used to it. It's still a small-enough minority (2.8% across all common configurations on Steam, with only 1% using an ultrawide exclusively) that there's higher priority segments to take care of first (4K monitors are at around 3% across all common configurations, for example, and will likely grow as a segment more than 21:9), and most developers don't just have 21:9 monitors kicking around for their QA team to work with. I feel bad for anyone who grabbed one expecting it to be a done deal on every game right out of the box, but compatibility is one of the caveats of going this route.

Will I frown a bit if I get Battletech and it's virtually unplayable at 21:9 and no one can find a work-around? Yeah. But I'm still gonna play the heck out of this game.

 

[FlavourBeans]

All you need to do to fix this is to add the two lines for 21:9 and place the few dozen on screen overlay graphics in the correct spot and record the location numbers. It would take less than an hour!

Given how close they are to release, even an hour of someone's time is probably precious at the moment, and this is assuming it is as simple as you say it is and they even have a 21:9 monitor kicking around the office to test it and make sure they have it right. If it's an easy fix, it will probably be officially patched in once they get through the gauntlet of post-release support; if it's an easy fix, a player with a bit of moxie and know-how will have it sorted before the sun sets on release day. The 21:9 community may be small, but we're pretty dang determined, and have seen about everything by now.

 

[UncleGamer]

Nice to see this thread getting attention but sad to see it is not from any devs. Look no one things they can implement it before launch if it is not there now, we are realistic. However it would be nice to have the devs make an official statement of the current status as well as letting us know this will for sure be patched if needed.

With so many streamers have early access and even Paradox now doing play videos SURELY someone can test it and give us an official status before launch.

 

[Havamal]

They already did. It is officially not supported.





As for if a Streamer can try it out that's not a bad idea. I do know community members tried it in the beta. I believe that was discussed it this thread.

 

[UncleGamer]

"officially not supported" is not an answer to the current status. Does it work with glitches, does it not work at all, is it not offered as a choice. There are streams showing the game a direct answer should be easy to get. It also does not answer if the company acknowledges the community and is planning to provide support in a patch.

I have raised this question BTW at every live stream and not once has it been acknowledged. During the beta we noted the issues and were told "officially" that they were aware of the issues and it would be corrected. Now we are told "officially" it is not supported. Would be nice to get some clarification.

 

[Havamal]

It would certainly be convenient if a streamer was able to answer that, but I doubt a streamer without that the actual equipment will respond to that question in chat. They have other things to deal with for their part. Players did test it out in beta, but as stated that was beta.

 

[UncleGamer]

It would certainly be convenient if a streamer was able to answer that, but I doubt a streamer without that the actual equipment will respond to that question in chat. They have other things to deal with for their part. Players did test it out in beta, but as stated that was beta.

Would also be cool if the devs just did something silly like play the game on a 21:9 monitor. I know most dev houses have a few as they are great for working with rendering and video editing. I mean we do not even need a video of testing, just someone capable run it, test the UI and game play and let us know how it does.

Like I said the official responses from beta to now contradict each other in intent at least. Please can we get clarification?

 

[Havamal]

Hmm, "Not supported" is pretty clear to me. Maybe not what some were hoping . I get that.

Anyway, I am sure @Csatti or someone else will certainly check back in with another report on performance once the game is in their hands. Again maybe not what some were hoping . I get that.

 

[Bilbo999]

Would also be cool if the devs just did something silly like play the game on a 21:9 monitor. I know most dev houses have a few as they are great for working with rendering and video editing. I mean we do not even need a video of testing, just someone capable run it, test the UI and game play and let us know how it does.

Like I said the official responses from beta to now contradict each other in intent at least. Please can we get clarification?

My guess would be that the have done so. You don't tend to tell people a thing is unsupported if it works as intended.

 

[Jrb531]

It's not supported can mean two things.

1. We made the game so non-included resolutions cannot be easily added by design. Some feel that giving people extra viewing area is unfair to others in pvp.

2. We did not include ultrawide but not by design choice and are open to others adding it or us at a later date if we find the time.

I want to know if making me look at black bars is intentional. And yes since playing the game at ultrawide messes up the menu elements you are forced to play with black bars if you own an ultrawide.

What is so hard either saying either that the game will NEVER support ultrawide due to intentional design or that perhaps someday we will find time to patch it/we are not against others doing it after release.

Saying "it's not supported" is not exactly good customer service and leaves a bad taste in my mouth. If you don't want to put it in due to design then I could understand yet still be disappointed.

If I has not already prepurchased this game this (Mod edit: no need for disrespect) would certainly turn me off and cause me to wait and see if they ever answer the question with at least some explanation.

 

[TaurianMerc]

The question has been posted for this weeks Q&A, which is the most likely route to get a response.
Until then, let's all sit down with a steaming mug of tea and relax while we await that response fretting and being repetitive isn't helping anyone

 

[Havamal]

It's not supported can mean two things.

1. We made the game so non-included resolutions cannot be easily added by design. Some feel that giving people extra viewing area is unfair to others in pvp.

2. We did not include ultrawide but not by design choice and are open to others adding it or us at a later date if we find the time.

I want to know if making me look at black bars is intentional. And yes since playing the game at ultrawide messes up the menu elements you are forced to play with black bars if you own an ultrawide.

What is so hard either saying either that the game will NEVER support ultrawide due to intentional design or that perhaps someday we will find time to patch it/we are not against others doing it after release.

Saying "it's not supported" is not exactly good customer service and leaves a bad taste in my mouth. If you don't want to put it in due to design then I could understand yet still be disappointed.

If I has not already prepurchased this game this (Mod edit: no need for disrespect) would certainly turn me off and cause me to wait and see if they ever answer the question with at least some explanation.

https://forum.paradoxplaza.com/forum/index.php?threads/21-9-support.1085041/#post-24030065

Reading the Dev post informs us that it is not intent to lockout the res for competitiveness.

Telling people up front that it is not supported is good costumer service because it is honest and it allows consumers to make an informed decision in case they choose to wait to purchase or seek a refund. (which is why I've repeated it, to avoid potential confusion by others reading here for information) No one enjoys being the bearer of bad news.

Again no black bars, as per Csatti above combat was fine in beta it was the out of combat menus that were funky. Of course you can also play windowed should you choose. Yes we all understand that this is irritating to those affected, but it is the situation .

 

[Jrb531]

The question has been posted for this weeks Q&A, which is the most likely route to get a response.
Until then, let's all sit down with a steaming mug of tea and relax while we await that response fretting and being repetitive isn't helping anyone

Thank you!

 

[DarthTørrfesk]

https://forum.paradoxplaza.com/forum/index.php?threads/21-9-support.1085041/#post-24030065
View attachment 356810
Reading the Dev post informs us that it is not intent to lockout the res for competitiveness.

Telling people up front that it is not supported is good costumer service because it is honest and it allows consumers to make an informed decision in case they choose to wait to purchase or seek a refund. (which is why I've repeated it, to avoid potential confusion by others reading here for information) No one enjoys being the bearer of bad news.

Again no black bars, as per Csatti above combat was fine in beta it was the out of combat menus that were funky. Of course you can also play windowed should you choose. Yes we all understand that this is irritating to those affected, but it is the situation .

Where there any visual examples of the menu's somewhere?
I don not give a rats ass if I have to play windowed, going 21:9 is a choice i do with open eyes. But nonetheless interested to see what funky means in this context

 

[Havamal]

Where there any visual examples of the menu's somewhere?
I don not give a rats ass if I have to play windowed, going 21:9 is a choice i do with open eyes. But nonetheless interested to see what funky means in this context

I'm not the one who experienced it so I can't say exactly. I'll see if I can find where they posted images.


Edit: here. https://forum.paradoxplaza.com/forum/index.php?threads/21-9-support.1085041/page-2#post-24062521
That post has an image. But remember, that's the beta ui. The finished game has a different ui , only any issues are expected to be similar atm.

Right off the bat I can see some text boxes where there is overlap.

 

[TaurianMerc]

Thank you!

Don't thank me, someone else asked the question , I just thought I'd mention it here for those that didn't read that thread.

 

[Havamal]

Also here is link to the old forum that is still archived for the moment. In it you can see several screen captures of combat at that res.
https://community.battletechgame.com/forums/threads/7664

 

[Trog16]

And as a user that only has a 21:9, and that has sold this game to one friend (who is also on a single 21:9 monitor) I feel some level of amazement that this game won't support that resolution. To all those that are saying this isn't a big deal, I hope you will play in a window at a resolution smaller than your monitors native resolution in a sign of solidarity. Of course that is crazy hyperbole, who would ever intentionally do that.

Also consider the fact that if the UI is actually unplayable the bug report would read.

'Problem - UI elements out of postion. Game unplayable.
Steps to recreate problem - Start game with 21:9 monitor.'

This might as well read as a CTD bug with any particular hardware, the only difference is that this one should be a fairly easy fix. Typically those are showstopper bugs and take priority over even tweaking the economy, for example. And if they can't adjust the UI for 21:9, how do they change the UI for ANY resolution other than 16:9 or whatever other resolution they used as their basis of design.

And to those that say they don't have a 21:9 monitor in the office to test one, come one, that one monitor cost about a day of programmer salary, or the cost of a new top tier video card. Are we also assuming they haven't testing on any 10 series Nvidia cards? It isn't that fringe, I can understand they haven't tested on 1080TI 3 way SLI on a 5 monitor set up. that seems fringe.

And again, for all those quoting steam numbers, the only number that really matters is the number of BT backers/buyers that have 21:9 as their primary resolution. Don't forget the most played video game of all time, even to this day is Solitaire, so if we look at percentages we should only design for a system that can handle that game. Again hyperbole, and their are plenty of Steam users that haven't upgraded their machines in years and just play free to play games.

Also the response that 'Not supported' isn't enough transparency are well founded in my opinion, what does that mean, the UI can it be changed by users after release with *.ini hacks, or this a fatal flaw in their UI design?

Lastly, this is the first and only game I own, and I own over a 100 on steam, some old, that has had this problem. That is why it feels so odd to me.

Anyways, it will be what it is, and I hope for all the success in the world for this game, my posts are with the intention of making the game great for a wide audience. I want to be able to encourage my friends to get it, and most of them are on 21:9, and I won't promote a game that doesn't support their native monitor size.

Looking forward to the 24th,
Trog

 

[Havamal]

Also the response that 'Not supported' isn't enough transparency are well founded in my opinion, what does that mean, the UI can it be changed by users after release with *.ini hacks, or this a fatal flaw in their UI design?

It's probably all they can be sure of for the time being leading into release, and thus it might be all they can say right now.

Lastly, this is the first and only game I own, and I own over a 100 on steam, some old, that has had this problem. That is why it feels so odd to me.

Anyways, it will be what it is, and I hope for all the success in the world for this game, my posts are with the intention of making the game great for a wide audience. I want to be able to encourage my friends to get it, and most of them are on 21:9, and I won't promote a game that doesn't support their native monitor size.

Looking forward to the 24th,
Trog

I don't doubt it sir.

And if it at all helps I think everyone empathizes with the human element.