Game Development Reference
In-Depth Information
beginning of frame 3, and the graphics will not be visible until the end of frame 4.
This is illustrated in
Figure 1.1
.
Figure 1.1
The jump is delayed a couple of frames due to input lag.
If a particular game relies on extremely quick response time, including fighting
games such as
Street Fighter
, this increased input lag may be deemed unaccept-
able. But for most other genres, the increased lag may not be particularly notice-
able. Several other factors increase input lag. The game loop can be one of these
factors, and some, like the display lag most LCD panels have, might be out of the
programmer's control. For more information on this topic, check the references at
the end of this chapter, which includes an interesting set of articles on the topic of
measuring and solving input lag in games.
