Yes, many appreciate the texture of film grain for its nostalgic and artistic qualities.
Yes, many appreciate the texture of film grain for its nostalgic and artistic qualities.
It’s usually the very first setting I disable when launching a new game—I really dislike it and it gives everything a muddy appearance. Do people even enjoy this? And what’s the reason behind it? Haha.
Some have remarked the same "cinematic feel" associated with black bars and low frame rates. When does this become just an excuse? Movies often use it, but perhaps it reminds people of CRTs—film grain was a challenge on older screens. It might attract a certain audience.
In my view, it doesn’t enhance the experience much. It doesn’t make things feel more "cinematic" if you realize it’s artificial. There’s one reason it shows up—production side effects—and another reason I’m putting it into a game. Still, as long as I can disable it, I don’t mind having that choice.
Occasional effects work well too. They mimic slight hesitation and boost color variety, helping a scene feel more realistic—like a bright red sphere looks smoother in shadows or near intense light. This tends to matter most when contrast is high, such as with jagged edges. It’s similar to AA, but people rarely discuss whether to use it or not.