Quick definition:The extent of the game world visible on screen at one time, usually measured as an angle, which affects how wide or narrow the view appears.
Meaning
Field of view, usually abbreviated to FOV, describes how wide the camera's view is. It is an important setting in first-person games. A larger angle shows more of the surroundings, while a smaller one shows less but makes distant objects appear closer.
It affects both gameplay and comfort. Wide views help spot enemies and give a better sense of speed, but they distort the image at the edges. Narrow views feel focused and cinematic, but they can feel confining and may make some players uncomfortable. Developers choose a default that suits the average player.
The best setting depends on the screen size, the distance from the display and personal taste. Games often include a slider for it, and zooming through a scope uses a deliberately narrow FOV. Settings are measured in degrees, either horizontally or vertically, and the two are not directly comparable.
Origin:Field of view is a term from optics and photography, describing how much of a scene a lens or an eye can see. Three-dimensional games adopted it for their virtual cameras, and many give players a slider to change it. It is often shortened to FOV, and the term has been used since early three-dimensional shooters.
Example:Playing on a large monitor, Chen feels the view is cramped and tunnel-like. He opens the settings and raises the field of view from sixty to ninety degrees. Suddenly, he can see enemies at the edges of the screen, though objects in the centre look slightly smaller, and he adjusts it again.
Did you know?A very wide field of view can make the edges of the screen look stretched, while a narrow one can cause eye strain or motion discomfort in some players. Console games often fix it, while computer games commonly offer a slider. 