Display And Video Settings

1. Summary

Display and Video Settings is the non-diegetic options screen for configuring Desperados III's display output, gamma calibration, and graphics quality. It combines a row-based Video options list with a separate Gamma Correction dialog that helps players tune brightness before applying or cancelling changes.

Overview

Display and Video Settings covers two closely related configuration surfaces: the main OPTIONS > VIDEO list and the separate Gamma Correction calibration dialog. Both use Desperados III’s dark Western menu language: translucent black panels, ornamental border flourishes, small uppercase labels, and gold highlight accents for selected controls.

The Gamma Correction dialog is a centered modal over the dimmed title/menu background. It explains the visibility target, shows a calibration image and tonal strip, then provides a horizontal slider with OK and Cancel actions.

Full-screen context showing the Gamma Correction dialog centered over the title menu.

Tight crop of the Gamma Correction dialog with instruction text, calibration image, slider, OK, and Cancel.

The Video settings screen places the category menu on the left and a large settings panel on the right. The panel lists display and graphics options in rows, including Resolution, Render Scale, Fullscreen, V-Sync, Gamma Correction, Quality, Texture Resolution, Shadows, Shadow Distance, Anti-Aliasing, Water Reflection, and Anisotropic Filtering. Values appear in right-aligned framed controls, commonly flanked by left/right arrows for cycling choices.

Full-screen context showing the Options > Video settings panel within the main options menu.

Tight crop of the Display and Video settings list with graphics option rows and value selectors.

Job Story

When I am configuring the game before or between missions, I want display and video controls grouped in one predictable options screen, so that I can tune visibility, resolution, and performance without entering gameplay.

Classification

diegesis: Non-diegetic
functional_type: Frontend shell
component_type: List/grid

Wireframe

OPTIONS MENU                 OPTIONS > VIDEO

[Gameplay]       +---------------------------------------------+
[Audio]          | Resolution              <1920 x 1080, 60Hz> |
[Controls]       | Render Scale            <      100       >  |
[Video] selected | Fullscreen              <       On       >  |
[Credits]        | V-Sync                  <Full Refresh Rate> |
[Reset Game]     | Gamma Correction        [     Change      ] |
                 | Quality                 <      High      >  |
                 | Texture Resolution      <      Full      >  |
                 | Shadows                 <      High      >  |
                 | ...                         [scrollbar]     |
                 +---------------------------------------------+
                         [Apply]       [Reset All]       [Back]

Gamma modal:
+------------------------------+
|       GAMMA CORRECTION       |
| Instruction text             |
| Calibration image            |
| Reference brightness bar     |
| <-----------slider----------> |
|        [OK]     [Cancel]     |
+------------------------------+

Components

Options category navigation: left-side menu with Video selected.
Breadcrumb/title tab: OPTIONS > VIDEO centered above the panel.
Video option rows: text labels paired with value selectors or action buttons.
Arrow value selectors: left/right controls for cycling settings such as resolution, quality, shadows, and toggles.
Scrollbar: right-side indicator for longer settings lists.
Bottom action buttons: Apply, Reset All, Back.
Gamma Correction modal: title, instructions, calibration image, brightness reference strip, numeric slider, OK, Cancel.

Parameters & Audio

Parameter	Value	Type	Notes
Visual style	dark translucent panels, ornamental Western frame corners, small uppercase sans-serif labels, and gold highlight accents for the selected category/row.	Text	—
Animation	modal entry should dim the background and keep focus on the calibration panel; row changes should update values immediately.	Text	—
Audio	expected menu select/confirm/back ticks should accompany row changes, OK/Cancel, Apply, Reset All, and Back interactions; no unique audio state is evidenced for this screen.	Text	—

Navigation

Accessible from the main Options menu by selecting the Video category. The Gamma Correction modal opens from the Gamma Correction row's Change control and returns to the Video list via OK or Cancel. Back returns to the broader Options menu/category context.

Dependencies & Logic

Reads available display modes from the platform/GPU to populate resolution and refresh-rate values.
Applies render scale, fullscreen, V-Sync, anti-aliasing, reflection, texture, shadow, and quality settings to the renderer.
Stores gamma calibration separately from the list row because it requires a visual calibration workflow.
Enables or prioritizes Apply when settings have changed and need committing.
Reset All depends on default video configuration values.

BDD Scenarios

Scenario: Open video settings

Given: the player is in the Options menu
When: the player selects the Video category
Then: the Video settings panel appears with display and graphics rows

Scenario: Change gamma calibration

Given: the Video settings panel is open
When: the player activates Gamma Correction
Then: a centered Gamma Correction dialog appears over a dimmed background

Scenario: Confirm gamma calibration

Given: the Gamma Correction dialog is open
When: the player adjusts the slider and selects OK
Then: the dialog closes and the selected gamma value is retained

Scenario: Leave video settings

Given: the Video settings panel is open
When: the player selects Back
Then: the interface returns to the previous Options menu context

Edge Cases

Unsupported display modes should not appear in the resolution selector.
If a setting change requires confirmation or renderer restart, the Apply flow should prevent silent loss of the selected value.
Gamma calibration must remain readable at extreme brightness values; OK and Cancel should stay visible.
Scrollbar and selection focus must remain synchronized when navigating to settings below the visible list.
Reset All should restore defaults without trapping the user in an unapplied or partially applied state.

QA Notes

Verify resolution, refresh rate, fullscreen, V-Sync, quality, shadow, anti-aliasing, water reflection, and anisotropic filtering values can be cycled and persisted.
Verify Apply commits changed video settings and Back does not discard committed changes.
Verify Reset All restores default values and updates visible rows immediately.
Verify Gamma Correction can be opened, adjusted, confirmed, and cancelled with mouse/controller/keyboard input.
Verify the options list remains usable when scrolled and that the selected row highlight matches input focus.

Desperados 3