The Motion Blur feature regularly causes discussions within the community. Many gamers find the feature terrible and turn it off immediately. However, some can appreciate motion blur.
Many games like Destiny 2, Hogwarts Legacy or Fortnite have one thing in common: They all offer the feature “Motion Blur”. This function exists in almost every AAA title and also in many smaller games on Steam.
But the feature, which is called “Motion Blur” in English, is controversial among many gamers. Many don’t like it or turn it off right away. Someone writes on reddit:
I think we can all agree that the vast majority of gamers HATE motion blur, and for good reason.
Only the racers among the players enable the effect
What is Motion Blur anyway? When you chase a car through the street canyons of New York, the car remains sharp while the buildings blur: Things around you blur while your character, the car, or whatever you use to move remains sharp. If you jump around wildly in an RPG in third person, the environment becomes blurry while your character remains clearly visible.
Why do many players turn it off? Especially in hectic games, such as shooters or fast action games, motion blur is quickly perceived as disturbing. Important things blur or opponents can no longer be clearly targeted. For example, a gamer writes on reddit that it mainly depends on the game:
Motion blur is a matter of content; a racing game without motion blur has no sense of speed, a shooter with motion blur – no thanks.
Another adds:
Motion blur looks good in racing games, especially in games before 2010, but in FPS and RPG games, it gives me headaches.
Especially competitive gamers, who play Call of Duty or other shooters, quickly turn off features like motion blur, as it creates distractions in accuracy.
A good example of what motion blur looks like in games can be seen in the following video on YouTube:
Who even likes the feature? Primarily players who play racing games remain loyal to motion blur and use it. Because while the car remains sharp, everything around it blurs. This makes it feel faster and more intense than without.
Are there any other effects? No, as motion blur usually has little impact on overall performance. If you turn off motion blur, it initially has little effect on your FPS, unless the function is poorly implemented. Then turning it off could indeed lead to FPS spikes.
Low frame rates can benefit from motion blur
Why do many developers integrate the feature? Motion blur and other similar effects convey a greater sense of speed. This is used more frequently in games because it should make games appear more realistic and “cinematic”. Many large studios implement this feature in their games.
Furthermore, as explained by the online magazine PCGamer, such effects help “smooth the appearance of a game, especially in games rendered at 30 frames per second or less.” This was important especially at a time when consoles couldn’t render more than 30 FPS.
With motion blur enabled, you then get the feeling that the game runs smoothly in games under 30 FPS. Because instead of stuttering jumps, you see streaks. For gamers who are using weaker hardware, this feature can therefore also be a blessing while others complain about it.
High refresh rates of 120 Hz or more often make motion blur effects unnecessary. Because 120 FPS always looks smoother than artificial motion blur created with software.
Whether a fast 120 Hz panel truly makes you a better player has been tested by a YouTuber together with the “shooter god” Shroud. Whether it really makes you better can be read on MeinMMO:
Streamer shroud tests: Does a 144Hz monitor make you a better shooter player?
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