Screen size and gameplay

[Serpent]

http://dynamic5.gamespy.com/~shmups/shmupsforum/viewtopic.php?t=4909

I've found this thread to be very interesting. It's about screen size and the experiences of users with bigger and smaller monitors. Some claim that a very big size is a handicap because it's not good for playability since the player cannot control the entire screen with his eyes. This is supposed to be a more serious problem with vertical screens, where the peripheral vision doesn't help much. My opinion is that 21" is the perfect size for playing with the screen exactly by your control panel. I've played in some japanese cabinets with 29" screens and it's really difficult to see the entire screen unless you step away from the normal playing position. Sizes bigger than 21" are good for raicing games because of the inmersion factor, and also when you want your games to look more impressive and attractive (and important factor in the Arcades nowadays), but, in general, I think 21" is a good size for those who like playing very close to the screen, and specially for traditional 2D games from the 70s to the 90s.

[Minwah]

Interesting, I was just reading this sortof thing in a different thread...

I think they summed it up there - everyone is different, and depending what games you play you may be better on a big or small screen.

IMO most people will get used to whatever they play on.  That said I personally find massive (25" or over) screens on standups too big - I find it hard to focus on them and my eyes hurt after a while  Of course on the podium style sit-down cabs, massive screens seem to work very well.

I've opted for 21" too, FWIW

[OSCAR]

I made the mistake of putting a 27" screen in my first MAME cabinet, and I won't do that again!  Exactly as pointed out, it makes it more difficult to play classics like Robotron and I always felt "too close" to it.  Now I have 6 cabinets, all have 19" arcade monitors, and I couldn't be happier.  

[Stingray]

I've been trying to determine what size monitor will go in my cab and have decided that it will be a smaller one for these very reasons.

-S

[Wade]

Even though I play classics 90% of the time, I prefer a big monitor in my cabinet (27").  But I wouldn't want one that big in certain types of cabinets, like classic cabinets such as Defender or Centipede where the monitor is upright and right in front of the control panel.  Those games were designed around small monitors.

My cabinet is Simpsons style and it is fantastic with a 27" screen.  Not only is the screen comfortable for those playing the game, the people standing around it can see it too.  A cabinet like this is a must for a 3 or 4 player cabinet, IMO.

Too small can be bad too.  I have a cocktail project with a 14" monitor (originally a 13") and it is just a little smaller than ideal.  I would probably prefer a 19" in this case, but this particular cocktail cabinet couldn't fit it.

Wade

[Zombie]

im also very happy chosen a 21" TV.
could imagine those with huge 4 player control panels, where you are further away, a bigger screen might be better.

[SpamMe]

I agree. My cab has a 27" screen, and it makes games where you ought to be paying attention to the whole screen a bit difficult. Console games are better, as you can take a few steps back. I still like it, and it's not bad really, but if I had it to do again, I'd use a 25" screen instead.