Why does MacBook Pro 14" report 3024x1964 to games instead of 3024x1890 (16:10) ? (re: MacOS bug?)

[sofakng]

I'm trying to understand the resolution of the new MacBook Pro laptops.

For example, the MacBook Pro 14" has a resolution of 3024x1964. If you subtract 74 pixels from the height (1964) then the resolution is 3024x1890 which is a proper 16:10.

If you play a non-optimized game such as Shovel Knight (Steam), the "native" resolution listed is 3024x1964 but it is displayed under the notch. I believe this is resulting in the 3024x1964 image being squished into the 3024x1890 area.

Strangely, if you play an Apple Arcade game (Alto's Odyssey Lost City) it allows you select either resolution of 3024x1964 or 3024x1890. If you select 3024x1890 it is displayed properly under the notch, but if you select 3024x1964 it places black bars on the sides of the display which is obviously wrong.

In summary, I believe there is a bug in MacOS which causes games/applications to be told 3024x1964 is the native resolution, but it is then squished into the 3024x1890 area under the notch.

If this is not correct, can somebody please explain what is happening?

 

[Sanpete]

You can test your theory by measuring an object in a frame of Shovel Knight at a lower resolution, and seeing if the proportions are preserved at the resolution you think is squished.

You could also measure to see if the black bars actually help or hurt preserve the proportion of an object in AOLC.

 

[sofakng]

Thanks for the reply.

I'm not sure how to test my theory as I don't know how to force any games to use the notch area (ie. full screen resolution).

However, the logic seems to make sense? The games resolution is being set to 3024x1964 and unless it's being stretched across the entire screen (ie. the notch area) then it can't be 1:1 pixel mapping, right?

 

[Sanpete]

No need to make the game use the notch area. Your theory is that at native resolution Shovel Knight is squished. All you have to do is compare it at native resolution to a lower resolution, in a window if you want, that won't be squished. Or isn't that possible?

 

[sofakng]

That's an interesting idea, thanks! I can try native versus another 16:10 resolution...