To full screen or not to full screen?

[PK8]

So, I was wondering, what are your thoughts on games/programs/RPG Maker going full screen mode upon starting it up. Do you like it? Do you hate it? Or do you not really care all too much about it?

For me, well, it's a toss up between not caring all too much about it and disliking it. Like sometimes, whenever something goes full screen, my laptop gets a bit unresponsive on my end for a little bit. But then all's okay again.

[Bt255]

I don't mind it automatically going fullscreen, but I prefer the option to turn it on or off at the beginning.

[tnsi]

For my apps, I usually develop in a Windowed setting, so I can see logs and what not. Since I code my own engine, adding additional resolutions is easy, and requires minimal testing- So I can offer options of full screen and windowed modes.

[decibel]

Personally I prefer not, because of the resolution I'm on is more than twice the size of the RM windows(640x480, 544x416), and it would not give a good graphical look. Apparently, Vista's DWM also helps hardware acceleration, so when it's off(in fullscreen mode) I recieve a noticeable FPS drop, and since the resolution change is actually smaller than what my card can handle (800x600 minimum), it gives at least 1 minute of re-adjusting (including the DWM disabling).
Half of my problems of fullscreen is caused by Windows Vista though ;), and on other operating systems, even without full hardware support, it's generally fine to go fullscreen.

[EJlol]

I prefer windowed mode, I also like to see mIRC, MSN, etc. when I play a game.

[DerVVulfman]

I guess it comes down to how you want to handle gameplay. And I prefer to give people the option.

Always give your players options. That's my motto.

For gameplay and getting the players to be involved in the story or action, fullscreen may be the better option. The windows background, additional graphics and buttons may distract the players from the game at hand.

However, the graphics for a full-screened game with newer widescreen games look a bit... squashed or flattened(?). That is until someone scripts a viewport system that takes widescreen monitors into account.

[Zeriab]

I'm like Wulfie on this one. Give the player the option to choose.
Having too choose every time you start the game is a bother, so I would instead let them choose initially and then let them choose in an options menu for example.

On a side note going into fullscreen if you have a wide screen does not necessarily infer ratio distortion. My laptop reserves the ratio by adding black borders.
It seems that my laptop does not support stretching the screen out so it changes the ratio, but I am sure that it can be driver specific.

[computerwizoo7]

Well it would be better to give the player the option like Wulfman and Zeriab said so that it would appeal to everyone.
so if you don't like full screen or you do the game would still appeal to you when you ask upon opening the game.

[SP27]

Until now I've had my game go to full screen automatically, but I'm going to change that now. :p

I personally prefer to full screen anything.
When I play my games, I don't want to be distracted.
That's why I go on "busy" on xbox live and MSN--- err WLM. :)