Stepping into the world of professional gaming is no simple feat. Every move is calculated, every moment is critical, and every piece of equipment can mean the difference between victory and defeat.
Among the myriad of gear that top-tier gamers rely on, the gaming monitor stands out as a vital tool for performance.
But when it comes to the pros at Major League Gaming (MLG), the quest for the perfect monitor is one they take with the utmost seriousness.
This blog post is crafted for eSports devotees, professional gamers, and anyone looking to up their game in the digital battlefield.
We’ll peel back the layers of tech found in the monitors trusted by MLG’s elite and uncover what makes these monitors the gold standard in the industry.
What Monitors Do MLG Use?
MLG has paved the way for professional gaming, setting the bar high for the industry. When it comes to monitors, there isn’t just one brand or model that reigns supreme.
Instead, various factors come into play, and it’s the synthesis of these elements that creates an MLG-worthy display.
Preferred Brands & Models: MLG competitions often feature monitors from brands like BenQ, ASUS, and Alienware. Models such as the BenQ ZOWIE XL2546 and the ASUS ROG Swift PG258Q are among the favorites.
The Nitty-Gritty of Gaming Monitors: These pro-level monitors are characterized by high refresh rates (often 240Hz or more), lightning-fast response times (typically 1ms), and minimal input lag, offering a response time that’s nearly instantaneous and crucial for precision gaming. Additionally, they boast adaptive sync technologies, such as G-SYNC or FreeSync, ensuring buttery-smooth graphics without screen tearing.
Resolution: Full HD (1920×1080) is the standard here to maintain the highest frame rates, but some tournaments and events may begin to favor QHD (2560×1440) as technology progresses.
At the heart of the gamer’s display, advanced color settings and an array of customizable options enlighten the battlefield, providing not only performance-enhancing visuals but a level of customization that aids in player comfort and focus.
The implementation of strategic features like Black eQualizer by BenQ and GameVisuals for ASUS monitors, offer the potential to see more in shadowy areas crucial to gameplay.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Gaming Monitor
For those aspiring to the unmatched precision of an MLG pro, selection and understanding of the key features are essential.
Refresh Rates: A high refresh rate ensures that the monitor can keep up with the high frame rates of today’s heavyweight games. It presents an ultra-smooth, less tiring experience and is pivotal in quick reaction games.
Response Times: Measured in milliseconds, a low response time is key to minimal motion blur allowing players to stay on top of the action.
Input Lag: This is the time it takes for your input to be shown on the screen. Minimizing input lag results in a more responsive gaming experience.
Resolution: The balance between graphical fidelity and performance can’t be overstated. Competitive gamers often prefer lower resolutions for the advantage of higher frame rates.
Screen Size: While a larger screen can offer a broader field of vision, for competitive settings, a 24-inch monitor is generally the sweet spot, providing the perfect blend of sharpness and size without compromising visibility or excessive head movement.
Adaptive Sync: Whether you side with NVIDIA’s G-SYNC or AMD’s FreeSync, these technologies are essential for eliminating screen tearing and providing a tear-free gaming experience.
Panel Technology: TN panels are known for their speed, VA for their contrast, and IPS for their color accuracy and viewing angles.
MLG often leans toward models with TN or IPS that prioritize speed and accuracy, respectively, blending well with the requirements of professional gaming.
The Evolution of Gaming Monitors
Historical Development
The history of gaming monitors is one of continual evolution, adapting to the changing needs of gamers. It’s a story that sees pixel response times getting slashed, refresh rates climbing, and resolutions soaring.
The advent of panel technologies also significantly impacted gaming, with TN panels giving way to VA and IPS, refining color representation without sacrificing speed.
Technological Innovations
Beyond 1080p: As the industry moves forward, we see QHD and even 4K resolutions edging their way into competitive scenes, offering the next level of clarity and detail. However, sustaining high frame rates at these resolutions is the challenge that begs for innovation.
Curved Monitors: The enveloping nature of curved monitors is not only immersive but can also enhance your gaming experience by providing a more uniform focal distance, reducing eye strain.
OLED: An emerging trend in the wider tech space, OLED screens could offer even deeper blacks and response times that are virtually instantaneous.
HDR: High Dynamic Range, when implemented correctly, brings a whole new level of contrast and color to the game, making it not only visually stunning but also aiding in gameplay where spotting the elusive stealthy opponent becomes a question of shadows and light.
Wireless: The growing trend of cutting the cords applies to gaming monitors as well, with wireless technology promising a clutter-free, more mobile setup.
The Futuristic Horizon
The horizon of gaming monitors stands to benefit from technologies currently in their infancy. Photonic displays could offer response times that are truly instantaneous, eliminating the concept of motion blur.
Additionally, mini-LED and micro-LED technologies could revolutionize the concept of backlighting, delivering HDR like never before with true blacks.
Conclusion
For the MLG player, the monitor is more than just a window to a virtual world—it’s a finely-tuned instrument that seeks to blend performance with precision, and visuals with velocity.
Whether you’re looking to replicate the setups of your favorite major league gamers or carve your path to success, understanding what goes into a gaming monitor and how it can push your gaming to its limits is key.
MLG has continually set the gold standard, and staying informed about their equipment choices is just one step in aligning with their prowess.