How can I programmatically ensure my game launches in fullscreen mode on PC to improve player immersion?

Programmatically Ensuring Fullscreen Mode in Unity

Using Unity’s Player Settings

Unity offers a straightforward way to configure the initial screen mode through player settings. Navigate to Edit > Project Settings > Player, and under the Resolution and Presentation section, set Fullscreen Mode to Fullscreen Window or Exclusive Fullscreen depending on your preference. This sets the default mode for when your application starts.

Script-Based Initialization

For more granular control, you can use Unity scripts to set the fullscreen mode upon game start. Here’s a sample script:

Play and win now!

using UnityEngine;

public class FullscreenInitializer : MonoBehaviour {
    void Start() {
        Screen.fullScreenMode = FullScreenMode.ExclusiveFullScreen;
        Screen.SetResolution(1920, 1080, true);
    }
}

This script sets the resolution to 1920×1080 and switches the game to exclusive fullscreen mode when the game starts.

Handling Multiple Monitors

In systems with multiple monitors, ensuring the game launches in fullscreen on the correct screen can be tricky. Unity provides the Display class to manage multiple displays. Use the following code to specify which display should be used:

void Start() {
    Screen.fullScreenMode = FullScreenMode.FullScreenWindow;
    Display.displays[1].Activate(); // Activate the second display
}

Implementing Launch Options

For users to override your default settings, instruct them on using Steam launch options. Instruct them to right-click the game in the Steam library, go to Properties > General > Launch Options, and add commands like -fullscreen or -windowed to adjust screen mode at launch.

Troubleshooting and Best Practices

• Ensure your target platform supports the selected resolution and refresh rate.
• Validate screen modes using Screen.fullScreenMode in the runtime logic.
• Consider fallback modes using borderless window for non-standard resolutions or older hardware.

Conclusion

By leveraging Unity’s settings and scripting capabilities, you can not only improve player immersion through fullscreen mode but also handle common issues related to aspect ratios and display configurations.