The Finals, a free-to-play FPS title with highly-destructible environments, has finally transitioned, making its way to its full launch on Steam following its earlier beta periods. Developed by Embark Studios, by the same people who created the older Battlefield games, The Finals’ public release has been met with great enthusiasm, with over 200,000 players at its peak, enjoying the game. It has rapidly become one of the most-played games on Steam. However, the transition has caused debate among players who believe debate among players regarding a perceived change in the game’s player movement speed.
Contrary to some player perceptions, Embark Studios has confirmed that there has been no alteration in the movement system or speed since the open beta. This clarification came in response to a notable number of players expressing their dissatisfaction with what they believed was a slowdown in player movement. These concerns have been so prevalent to the point that they’ve begun to influence the game’s Steam reviews, with over 3,000 negative reviews focusing largely on this issue.
Embark Studios’ investigation has led them to suggest that minor adjustments to animations, sounds and settings may contribute to the illusion of slower movement. One particular setting identified by many players as a potential cause is the Field of View slider. The default FOV in The Finals is set to 71. As per Embark, this is what’s affecting the perception of speed. The studio suggests that players adjust their FOV settings for a more comfortable and familiar gameplay experience. The higher FOV can widen peripheral vision, while a lower FOV might give the opposite impression.
This situation highlights the significant impact that FOV can have on the perceived speed of gameplay in FPS shooters. A high FOV setting can create a fish-eye effect, making the environment appear to move faster, especially at the edges of the screen. Conversely, a lower FOV reduces peripheral vision, potentially making movement feel slower.
Because of this, the perceived difference in speed resulting from FOV adjustments is a well-known phenomenon, most FPS players prefer higher FOV settings for both the increased peripheral vision and the feeling of faster movement.
The Finals’ gameplay is heavily reliant on player movement, with its highly destructible environments and its fast-paced action. Thus, the perception of movement speed is crucial for an enjoyable player experience. Players are encouraged to experiment with the FOV settings to find a balance that suits their playstyle and preferences. For many, an FOV setting in the range of 85-90 might offer a good compromise between visibility and perceived speed.
When it comes to video games, in general, even small changes in settings or visual cues can significantly alter how the game feels to play.
As Embark Studios continues to refine The Finals post-launch, the player community’s feedback will prove invaluable in shaping the game’s ongoing development and ensuring that it meets the high expectations set during its successful open beta.
