The incredibly controversial Assassin's Creed Mirage chromatic aberration setting is getting removed for all players, with an option to turn it back on.
It is supposed to mimic low quality cameras. Chromatic abberation occurs because different colors of light focus at slightly different distances from the lens. This is the same effect that causes prisms to “split” white light into its component colors. i.e the angle light is bent depends on its wavelength/color. Newer, more expensive cameras have various means of either cirrecting for or avoiding the problem.
That said, even low-end lenses from the past decade or so have far less chromatic aberration than top-tier glass from decades back. I have an old Canon telephoto that produces crazy color fringes on anything and everything if I’m not careful, but my new cheapass Lumix zoom only does so in pretty extreme situations.
It’s definitely a good time to be a photography nerd.
Is it supposed to highlight the “mirage-ness” of it all or something?
It is supposed to mimic low quality cameras. Chromatic abberation occurs because different colors of light focus at slightly different distances from the lens. This is the same effect that causes prisms to “split” white light into its component colors. i.e the angle light is bent depends on its wavelength/color. Newer, more expensive cameras have various means of either cirrecting for or avoiding the problem.
Putting on my “that guy” hat here…
The quality has nothing to do with it. Even very high end lenses can exhibit chromatic aberration under certain circumstances. Have a look at any sports broadcast. Once you see it, you can’t stop, and the lenses on those cameras are decidedly NOT low quality. Or price. https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1314025-REG/canon_uj86x9_3b_p01_dss_uhd_digisuper_86_broadcast.html
That said, even low-end lenses from the past decade or so have far less chromatic aberration than top-tier glass from decades back. I have an old Canon telephoto that produces crazy color fringes on anything and everything if I’m not careful, but my new cheapass Lumix zoom only does so in pretty extreme situations.
It’s definitely a good time to be a photography nerd.