FAQ
Frequently asked questions
We've gathered the questions players ask most often once they start looking closely at the picture: about the magazine itself, graphics settings, screenshots and whether mods are worth touching. The answers are short and apply to most games.
Curiosity about how the picture works doesn't get in the way of playing. On the contrary, it makes a familiar world far more interesting.
About the magazine
What does the magazine write about?
Graphics in video games from a player's point of view: what models are made of, how light and shadows work, what settings do and how styles differ from one another.
Are you an educational institution?
No. We are a magazine for players: we don't hold classes, don't train anyone for a profession and don't issue any documents.
Why don't you name games or hardware?
The principles of graphics are shared by many games, while titles and hardware models go out of date quickly. Besides, we don't want to promote anyone's products.
Are you connected with the former site on this domain?
No. Before the magazine, the domain was occupied by a different site, and later unrelated spam pages appeared on it. Nothing is left of them: the magazine came later, is made by different people and has nothing to do with them.
Graphics and settings
Which setting affects smoothness the most?
Most often shadows, reflections, volumetric effects and resolution. But every game is different, so test options one at a time in the same scene.
Why does the picture shimmer at the edges?
Thin lines and object edges fall between the pixels of the screen and “jump” as things move. Anti-aliasing softens this effect, although some types slightly blur the image.
Why do objects pop up right in front of my character?
That is how draw distance works: the game shows distant objects simplified or not at all. If you can raise this option, pop-in becomes less noticeable, but the load goes up.
Should I always use maximum settings?
No. The difference between high and maximum is often barely visible, while smoothness can take a noticeable hit. Trust your own eyes, not the name of the level.
Screenshots and mods
How do I remove the interface from a screenshot?
Many games have a photo mode or a menu option that hides prompts. If there isn't one, look in the settings for a way to turn off individual interface elements.
Where does the light halo around my character in a screenshot come from?
It happens where an object meets a bright background, especially when blur or glow effects are on. Try a different background and camera angle, or turn these effects off before taking the shot.
Is it safe to install graphics mods?
It is always a risk: files from unverified places can turn out to be malicious, and in online games tampering with data can lead to a ban. We don't publish mods or links to them.
Can I post my own screenshots?
Players usually share their shots freely, but every game and platform has its own rules. Make sure other people's chat names and your personal information don't end up in the frame.
Read next
- Guides
Guides to the picture: choosing graphics settings, taking great screenshots, reading a scene and finding out why a game stutters. Our article catalogue lives here too.
- Mechanics
How a game builds a frame: model, texture, material, light, shadow and post-processing, and what to turn down first when things stop feeling smooth.
- Glossary
A plain-language dictionary of game graphics: terms about models, light and materials, plus the options you see in the settings menu.
- Object edges (in Russian)
Archive page: why object edges look clean or jagged, where halos come from and how to take a clean screenshot.
What we rely on
- Descriptions of graphics settings in game menus (in general terms)
- Blender School editorial material
We describe the general principles of game graphics. Every game lays out its settings menu differently, options go by different names and change with updates, so look for the exact wording in the game's own tooltips and help screens.