Widescreen gaming history

BlueMak · Post by **BlueMak** » 06 Oct 2007, 01:00

I was wondering, when was the first commercial widescreen monitor available? Also, the first games that supported widescreen aspect ratio? (no just stretching)

Anyone knows?
My guess for the latter would be some Windows' puzzle game.

Come to thing of it, perhaps games like Solitaire should not be counted.

Post by **The_cranky_hermit** » 06 Oct 2007, 01:40

The oldest WSGF Certified game is Total Annihilation, which was released in 1997. It's essentially a 2D game, and while the game is better in widescreen, it's unlikely that it was specifically intended to be that way. The screen change is based on resolution, not aspect ratio.

The oldest *3D* WSGF Certified game is Enclave, released in 2002. Its screen change is based on aspect ratio. The wider your monitor, the more you see.

The oldest game that supports multiple aspect ratios both correctly and intentionally is Command & Conquer, released in 1995. It has a 4:3 mode and a 16:10 mode. It's anamorphic 16:10, which means the 4:3 mode has black bars and the 16:10 mode doesn't.

The oldest 3D game that supports multiple aspect ratios is Dark Forces II: Jedi Knight, released in 1997. Also released in 1997 is Dungeon Keeper, but JK2's support is better because it supports more resolutions. Both of these games are vert -.

Post by **Paradigm Shifter** » 06 Oct 2007, 11:35

As for first monitor... probably one of the old weighs-a-frickin'-ton Sony or IBM CRT monitors. First TFT? Apple Cinema Display.

Frag Maniac · Post by **Frag Maniac** » 06 Oct 2007, 15:17

Yeah those 24" Sony WS CRTs were and still are quite nice monitors too, and made under the HP name as well. There were quite a few of them available on Ebay for around $225 with a 2 yr warranty.

Tanuki · Post by **Tanuki** » 06 Oct 2007, 20:25

Yeah those 24" Sony WS CRTs were and still are quite nice monitors too, and made under the HP name as well. There were quite a few of them available on Ebay for around $225 with a 2 yr warranty.

I am happy with mine. 8)

BlueMak · Post by **BlueMak** » 06 Oct 2007, 21:06

What's their max resolution? Refresh rate?

Tanuki · Post by **Tanuki** » 06 Oct 2007, 21:22

Optimal native is 1920x1200. The refresh for 1920x1200 is 85.

They can display any (4:3, 16:9, 16:10, whatever) resolution under that.

It lists 2304 x 1440 as the max resolution. This usually means 1920x1440 as the max unless you have a wierd setup.

Post by **Paradigm Shifter** » 06 Oct 2007, 21:24

The Sony could do 1920x1200. I can't remember at what refresh rate. Either 60Hz or 72.

BlueMak · Post by **BlueMak** » 06 Oct 2007, 21:26

So, my guess is that as all CRTs the screen is actualy a bit smaller, right?
Any idea how much it weighs?
Just curious.

Post by **Paradigm Shifter** » 06 Oct 2007, 21:28

It weighed close to 100lbs.

That's about 45kg.

BlueMak · Post by **BlueMak** » 06 Oct 2007, 21:28

The Sony could do 1920x1200. I can't remember at what refresh rate. Either 60Hz or 72.

60 for so high resolution, sounds very very bad for the eyes.

I used to have a 60 14" monitor (14 years ago or so) and I couldn't play for more than a few hours.

Hmm, I did have an Atari SM124 before that, I think it was 60.

NVM, off topic.

Post by **Paradigm Shifter** » 06 Oct 2007, 21:31

60 for so high resolution, sounds very very bad for the eyes.

I agree. ;)

What put me off more, however, was the fact that it was 24" deep, and therefore deeper than my desk at the time, and the fact that moving the thing solo would have given a weightlifter a hernia. :lol:

Tanuki · Post by **Tanuki** » 06 Oct 2007, 21:31

It is heavy. 8)

Exact measurements is 11 and 7/8 inches vertical and around 18 and 7/8 inches horizontal.

One cool thing is that it remembers each different resolutions view settings. I can move and scale to my preference. Plus there is doublescanmode for teh older games.

Again, it is heavy. Like around 100 pounds. Not that heavy in general but is an awkward carry up the steps. 8)

Tanuki · Post by **Tanuki** » 06 Oct 2007, 21:32

The max is 85 at 1920x1200 not 60.

Post by **Paradigm Shifter** » 06 Oct 2007, 22:13

Thanks for the info.

It's been a while since that monitor was discussed on the forum, so I guess I didn't remember everything perfectly. ;)

Frag Maniac · Post by **Frag Maniac** » 07 Oct 2007, 04:23

Yeah I considered the 24" WS Sony and/or HP CRT on Ebay but the shipping weight made me pass on the idea. I think they're only about 22.8" viewable too. Even my Sammy 26" HDTV CRT only weighs 87lbs but I had a hard time just lifting that up on top of the 49" tall shelf I put it on behind my monitor. It's not so much the weight as the height that was hard. Love my HDTV though and free over the air High Def (watching the Gator/Tiger game in HD as I type this). I'm still hoping Samsung will eventually make a 27" 1080p LED backlit LCD HDTV. It would be the ideal all purpose desktop display IMO.

Son Gohan · Post by **Son Gohan** » 21 Oct 2007, 20:59

The arcade game Virtua Racing already supported widescreen in 1992, but only for the deluxe cabinet.

Post by **The_cranky_hermit** » 28 Oct 2007, 01:28

Well, as long as we're not talking about PC games, you could say that Nintendo supported widescreen as early as 1981.

BlueMak · Post by **BlueMak** » 08 Dec 2007, 14:56

I wonder if 320x200 would be considered widescreen.
Cause, for example, Atari ST "low" resolution was that. Also the computer supported other two resolutions, 640 x 200 / 640 x 400.

Post by **Paradigm Shifter** » 08 Dec 2007, 15:06

It's 16:10, which is considered widescreen now, so yeah, I guess it counts. ;)

Widescreen Gaming Forum