Imagine you’re locked in an intense battle royale. You’ve managed to outlast 99 other players and find yourself in a tense one-on-one standoff. You spot your opponent through a doorway, but by the time your eyes can register the movement and your fingers can pull the trigger, you’ve already taken a hit.
Another match lost to gameplay-crippling input lag and motion blur.
For serious gamers, this scenario is an all too familiar frustration. “The slightest delay in visual feedback or stuttering on-screen can mean the difference between virtual life and death,” says Tyrone Young, head of sales for information display and IT at LG Electronics South Africa. “Blurry graphics and tearing can disrupt your hand-eye coordination at the most critical moments.”
The key to responsive gameplay: High refresh rates
One of the most important factors in eliminating these game-killing disadvantages is a monitor’s refresh rate. “A higher refresh rate means the display can keep up with even the most demanding games running at high frame rates without visual compromises,” Young explains. “For example, a 240Hz refresh rate indicates the monitor can display up to 240 frames per second smoothly.”
Combined with an ultra-low response time, high refresh rates translate to visuals that are essentially free of ghosting, stuttering, and input lag – allowing gamers to instantly react to on-screen movements with split-second accuracy. “This can provide a significant competitive advantage in fast-paced games where every millisecond counts.”
Immersive visuals for a competitive edge
However, responsive gameplay is just one part of the equation. “Image quality and an immersive viewing experience are also crucial for competitive gamers,” Young adds. “Self-lit OLED panels, for instance, offer accurate colour reproduction, true blacks, and an infinite contrast ratio that reveals details often crushed on traditional LED displays. This depth and vibrancy can help players spot enemies or other critical in-game elements more easily.”
Young also highlights the benefits of curved, ultrawide monitors. “Monitors with a high curvature rating, such as 800R, can further enhance immersion by wrapping around the player’s field of view, creating a more natural viewing angle and engaging environment,” he explains. “An 800R curvature means that the monitor has a radius of 800 millimetres. This curvature is designed to envelope the player’s field of vision for a more immersive and lifelike gaming experience.”
Wide viewing angles also ensure consistent image quality without colour shifting or contrast degradation, no matter the player’s position.
Ergonomic design for marathon gaming sessions
Beyond display technology, there is also the importance of ergonomic features: “Adjustable stands, ambient lighting, and handy remote controls can minimise distractions and optimise comfort during extended gaming sessions,” says Young. “These small details can add up to a significant advantage for professional esports players and elite gamers hungry for any possible edge.”
Setting a new standard: The LG UltraGear gaming monitor
When it comes to ultra-high refresh rates and an immersive OLED gaming experience, one product stands out. Since December 2022 there have been no OLED gaming monitors available on the market with a 240Hz refresh rate, except for the 27-inch and 45-inch UltraGear models manufactured exclusively by LG Electronics.
“By achieving an unprecedented 240Hz refresh rate and a 0.03ms response time, the UltraGear raises the bar for smooth, responsive gameplay visuals utterly free of lag, ghosting, or artefacts,” Young explains. “It shows the monitor can keep up with even the most demanding triple-A titles running at 240 frames per second without visual compromises.”
Self-lit OLED pixels provide an immersive experience with accurate colour reproduction, inky true blacks, and an infinite 1,500,000:1 contrast ratio that reveals details that would otherwise be obscured on traditional LED displays.
In the fiercely competitive gaming world, where split-second reactions and pinpoint accuracy are paramount, Young believes the right monitor can truly mean the difference between victory and defeat.
“By prioritising factors like high refresh rates, immersive visuals with superior image quality, and ergonomic design, gamers can gain a crucial competitive edge in an era where ultra-smooth, ultra-responsive gameplay is essential for elite performance.”