Extend your ride into the sunset!
I just recently decided to hop into Westworld… I mean, Red Dead Redemption 2 on PC knowing that this would be a game I would enjoy.
I’m currently writing a review for it (If only I could stop playing it to write my review…).
Unfortunately, just like its older brother, Grand Theft Auto 5, it doesn’t natively support my NVidia Surround ultra-wide screen resolution for my triple-screen setup.
This fix may not be required for everyone, but for some reason, the resolution simply didn’t show up on the game’s graphical settings. It only went up to 1920×1080.
Just to be clear, I’ve got 3 monitors and I’m also a streamer on Twitch with a streaming computer that uses one of my screens when I stream, which automatically changes my screen resolution to 3840×1080 – I’m using DisplayFusion to achieve this behavior. Plus HDMI routers, DVI adapters, screen recorders… Not even my computer understands what’s going on with my screen resolutions.
In this post, I’ll be going over several ways to fixing your screen resolution.
Please consider this a repository of suggestions. I can’t promise that they’ll all currently fix the issue, but they have worked in the past. Give it a try and let us know which one worked for you!
How to fix ultra-wide surround screen resolutions the easy way with Launch Arguments
Before following through this post for more in-depth fixes, check out a tool I developed to help you set up Red Dead Redemption 2 launch arguments. One of the sections on that tool is specific to screen resolutions. It also helps with performance, bugs, stuttering, etc.
Go check it out at this page: PopcornGamer’s Unofficial Red Dead Redemption 2 Launch Argument Composer.
If it helps you, let me know!
This fix should make the game run in any screen resolution.
UPDATE: As of the last patch, it seems like some of these tricks aren’t working for some users. Check the bottom of this post for alternative ways to make it work! Leave me a comment if it does!
A couple of years ago I posted a video on Youtube explaining how to make GTA V work at 5760×1080. Guessing that the engine was the same I thought about doing the same on my blog, but this time regarding Red Dead Redemption 2.
Apparently, the game engine has progressed quite significantly since GTA V. Back then, I managed to find a work-around for GTA V, but RDR2 seems to accept 5760×1080, much more easily.
To make 5760×1080 work, I had to go through My Documents folder and find the Rockstar Games folder. Within it, the Red Dead Redemption Folder and then the Settings folder. In it, you should find a file called system.xml
In my computer this is located at:
C:/Users/[windows username]/Rockstar Games/Red Dead Redemption 2/Settings/system.xml
In this file, down at the bottom, you’ll find:
<video>
<adapterIndex value="0" />
<outputIndex value="0" />
<resolutionIndex value="14" />
<screenWidth value="5760" />
<screenHeight value="1080" />
<refreshRateIndex value="0" />
<refreshRateNumerator value="50000" />
<refreshRateDenominator value="1000" />
<windowed value="2" />
<vSync value="0" />
<tripleBuffered value="false" />
<pauseOnFocusLoss value="true" />
<constrainMousePointer value="false" />
</video>Here, you should set the screenWidth and screenHeight to your desired screen resolution.
After this step, you should save and close the file and then right-click on it and go to File Properties and set it to Read-Only. This prevents the game from making any changes to it. Keep in mind that setting this to Read-Only will keep you from saving adjusted game settings from within the game. This means that if you make any changes in-game, the settings will be reset every time you launch the game.
Also note that, for even more exotic users, if you’re using several screens but only wish to use one set of them, then you should change the outputIndex and/or the adapterIndex value. This may only be required if you’re using more than 3 screens, or when you’re having trouble with stretching or positioning on 2 screens.
Alternatively, if this change fails to set your resolution correctly, try following my GTA V video which uses windowed mode and a piece of software called ResizeEnable.
An updated method to get 5760×1080 in RDR2!
As of the last update, it seems like some of these tricks aren’t working for some users. Instead, try using the command line.
Go to your Rockstar Games Launcher -> Settings -> Red Dead Redemption 2 (on the left sidebar) -> search for the launch arguments text field
Then type the following:
-width 5760 -height 1080 -borderless
You may also replace borderless with “-windowed“.
Alternatively, try using
-allowResizeWindow
…and then try to stretch the frame of the window to your screen resolution (can’t do this in borderless mode)
The reason why you’re not usually able to go full resolution is that when not in surround mode, the game knows you have 3 screens but thinks that you only play in one of them so it sets itself to 1920×1080.
How to fix the UI being displaced or stretched
Some players might be able to set their screen resolution correctly, but the UI elements (the map, the menus) might show off-center, displaced or distorted. To fix this, you may want to try using -noDPIAdjust in your command line arguments list.
A special thank you to one of our users, Jon, who shared this solution by another player who helped him, NorbzFR.
You’re done!
Now bask in the glorious landscapes that this game has to offer.
They look absurdly beautiful at a 3840×1080 or even 5760×1080 resolution.
Next step: VR.
If this guide helped you, send me your best Ultra Wide Wide West Screen Shots!
Too many puns. Bang!
Stay WANTED for life,
-ViLa4480
This post has been read by 52374 people!
Heya
I’ve tried to do this, but even with this settings rdr2 launches only in my middle screen. And the resolution in game still 1920×1080
But with the surround it works ok though, but i really do not want to mess with it every time.
Any solutions?
Hi @wolh and welcome to my blog!
Thank you for your comment – I researched for a bit and found another solution for you.
Go to your Rockstar Games Launcher -> Settings -> Red Dead Redemption 2 (on the left sidebar) -> search for the launch arguments text field
Then type the following:
-width 5760 -height 1080 -borderlessYou may also replace borderless with “-windowed“.
Alternatively, try using
-allowResizeWindow…and then try to stretch the frame of the window to your screen resolution (can’t do this in borderless mode)
The reason why you’re not usually able to go full resolution is that when not in surround mode, the game knows you have 3 screens but thinks that you only play in one of them so it sets itself to 1920×1080.
I’ll add this solution to the post!
Let us know if that worked out for you! 🙂
Have a nice day!
Hi, thanks for this, very helpful, however i’m still having issues with my ultrawide 3440×1440 single monitor – no matter what i try the game is like a stretched 16:9 aspect ratio (the HUD and menus all appear normal). i hacve recently changed the monitor, and it seems fine for other games and general use. Any idea?
Thanks
Hey Jon, thanks for visiting my blog!
The article has several different approaches to fix this issue. Have you tried all of them?
It seems like this might be a resolution proportion issue which is likely affected by in-game options. If the graphics appear to stretch with the window, it must be related to the adapter and not necessarily the window size.
Try to make the changes outside the game, as sometimes it has that stretching effect when changes are applied in the in-game options (happens mostly in fullscreen mode).
Also, please try launching the game in windowed mode and then resizing it. You may want to try and add a launch argument that specifies windowed mode and the resolution. I’ve created a tool for launch arguments (check it out here: https://www.popcorngamer.com/index.php/red-dead-redemption-2-unofficial-launch-argument-composer/)
So try this launch argument: -windowed -width 3440 -height 1440 -adapter 0
Try different values (0,1…) for the adapter.
Finally, let us all know whether you found the solution so we can save others from the same frustration you’re getting! This is an amazing game in ultra-wide resolutions and everyone should be able to experience it properly!
Thanks,
Rui
Thanks Rui, I’ll try the adapter add on. I did try all fixes in the blog – Windowed – fullscreen etc. I did wonder about one of the system.xml setting – the resolutionIndex Value – i have tried a couple of values, but it doesn’t seem to affect anything. It started at 17 in the file.
I’ll have another go when i get chance today. really appreciate your help – it’s an awesome game but so frustrating when I can’t quite get it right 🙂
Will let you know how i get on!
Cheers
Jon
Hi Rui,
Tried with the adapter going up to 5 but no luck. That’s a great tool for the launch arguments code btw 🙂 Might jusr try a complete reinstall of the game. I did a file verification to no avail. I’ll let you know if something works!
Sad to hear that you’re still having trouble with this.
I honestly don’t think reinstalling will help in this particular case, but let us know how it went! Are you using DisplayFusion or any other software that might affect your display? I think the system.xml fix MAY have stopped working once they released patch 1.14 (I think?). I kept it in the article just in case it still works for someone.
Thanks for coming back and sharing your progress!
-Rui
Hi Jon,
I have the same issue. I was trying to solve it for 2 days now. With no luck. But I’m also using Shadow PC for game streaming. My computer is actually 12″ macbook connected to 34″ ultrawide LG via usb-c. So it makes it more complex. But games like Division 2 had no issue with that configuration.
Anyway looking forward to your update. I will also get back to you if I solve it.
Hey Luke, thanks for stopping by and helping a fellow gamer! Some game streaming solutions do impose some resolution limitations that act differently in each game – but to be honest I’ve never used Shadow before so I might be wrong. Have you tried different refresh rates (50/60Hz)?
I had some trouble with The Division 2 at launch, but since the early hotfix, it seems to work surprisingly well with larger screen resolutions! It feels like The Division 2’s game/graphic engine is pretty solid!
Let us know if you find a way to fix this!
Thanks,
-Rui
Quick update: reinstalled didn’t make a difference (was a long shot). Not sure what to try next 🙁 I’m not using any software like display fusion, even switch from DP to HDMI in desperation. Guess I could try a ticket to R*
Aw, sorry to hear that. I’m also running out of ideas here!
If you run it at 1920×1080 does the image appear stretched the same way? Or does it look correct?
Have you ever tried this with any other AAA games like Rainbow Six Siege or The Division 2? I’m just trying to understand what’s the underlying problem that’s causing that to fail. Since you’ve tried all settigns that work for most people, I’m thinking it might be something with your system settings and not necessarily related to the game itself.
Hi,
Not had much chance to play around with this recently, but i booted it up yesterday and it seems to have changed slightly. It is now more like a ‘fisheye’ stretching going on – looks OK in the center of the screen, but widens out towards the edges. Is this normal? I’m not sure about it though…
This could have been the case since i did the re-install as i didn’t have long to check it after I did that. I have also noticed that the Map in the bottom left is now ‘broken’ (black with no info showing) which it wasn’t before when the 16:9 stretch was happening. Using launch arguments: -windowed -width 3440 -height 1440 -borderless (which i was using before the reinstall).
Is there anything that can mitigate the fisheye? Do you get that on the ‘super’ ultrawide?
Hi Jon, glad you have it (sort of) working now! Sometimes updates change or reset settings – and a new update has just been released a couple of days ago.
Yes, it is normal to have the camera stretch to the sides, however, it really depends on your Field Of View. Try adjusting the FOV to your preference. Most games and especially online ones, don’t allow much of a change due to the potential use for cheating. A higher FOV also tends to require more rendering power from your graphics card. Check out the ultra-wide screenshots I posted in the article for reference. Those are 5760×1080.
Regarding your map issue, try pressing Alt and changing it to a different map mode. I’ve had an issue where the map and other elements were buggy or out of place. Fixed it by changing from windowed mode to fullscreen (using NVidia Surround mode).
I hope this helps! Best of luck to you! 🙂
Thanks Rui, really appreciate your help on this. I’ll play around with the fov settings 🙂 Don’t think I could go back to 16:9 now!
Hi Jon,
I just downloaded RDR2 last night with the intention of playing it on 3 monitors.
I appreciate the support you are showing to the community here and I’m hoping you can assist me too.
I first used your system.xml update to fix the problem however this didn’t work for me. Even with a read only adaptation to the file. I found the game would launch for a few seconds across all three monitors and then when it gets to the first two shotgun cartridges being loaded into the gun with the Rockstar logo it would go back to just 1 monitor and the other two monitors would go back to my wallpaper.
I also tried the ResizeEnable application however this didn’t work.
Now I’m hoping to use PopcornGamer’s Unofficial Red Dead Redemption 2 Launch Argument Composer however I’m having issues here. When I open up the rockstar launcher there is a settings menu at the top right hand side. when i click on this it does not have any option to click on RDR2 and the left sidebar menu where you can see GTA V, GTA IV and RDR2 goes away. The only options I can see in the settings menu are: General, Account Information , Updates and Legal. I’ve gone through each of these menus and am unable to search for the launch arguments text field. I’m wondering if you would be kind enough to run a tutorial video on this and post it here as I’ve spent hours on this now and can’t get it working 🙁
Hi Grantura, thanks for your comment. As I mentioned before, some options work/don’t work depending on each player’s system specs. This is also affected by Rockstar’s patches. I decided to leave all solutions there as they all worked out for me at one point or the other. I wrote this article from my own experience and previous successes.
Regarding the argument line textfield, you’ll be able to find it inside the Rockstar Launcher’s settings – you’ll need to click where it says Red Dead Redemption 2 and then scroll down to the bottom. It’s the third option from the bottom. Here’s a screenshot: https://shft.cl/img/i/image-4498938020241284.png
(EDIT: I just re-read your comment. Sorry that I missed the part where you can’t find the game in the settings panel) If the game is missing from your launcher settings menu, are you launching it via Steam first? If so, try adding the command line to steam’s launcher or, instead, via the game’s executable. Let me know if this works for you or if you need further help. Check this for Steam: https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=1040-JWMT-2947&l=english
I’m still working on the PopcornGamer’s Unofficial Red Dead Redemption 2 Launch Argument Composer tool. A new version will be coming out soon enough with further customization. I might add a video tutorial to it if that helps! Again, thanks for dropping by and I hope you solve this because it is well worth playing this in an ultra-wide resolution!
Cheers,
Rui
Hello,
Thank you for all the info. It’s incredible how this problem is common but has not been fixed at this point by Rockstar.
I followed your instructions adding the command line in the steam launcher and was able to execute the game at 3440×1440 but the screen of the game is not centered. It shows the game cut at the top and left side and in the right and bottom you can see the desktop in the background.
Thank you very much for everything!
Hi Arthouros, thanks for dropping by my blog. Unfortunately, most games have limited support for “exotic” resolutions. Companies prefer to focus on more common ones. Rockstar’s efforts in this regard have been minimal. Regarding your centering issue, I’ve had it happen to me a couple of times, but going back to fullscreen and windowed mode again seemed to fix it for my 5760×1080 resolution, but I’m guessing this might be different from system to system – give it a try though!
Hi Arthouros, Jon just came by with a new suggestion. Try using -noDPIAdjust to fix the UI in ultra-wide mode!
His comment is further down. Thanks
Hi All,
quick update – I posted the issue i was having on Reddit a while back, and a user (NorbzFR) came back to me a week ago – only just saw their reply though. As per their suggestions, i added the argument -noDPIAdjust and hey presto! It’s now rendering perfectly 🙂
3440*1440 in full screen and it looks amazing 😀 Just need to work on my setting to get a better frame rate, but soooo happy this now works. Hope this info can help another player!
Tha
Awesomesauce! That’s a great tip!
Thank you so much for coming by and dropping that info!
This is one of the most viewed posts on PopcornGamer, so I’m sure it’ll help many other players in the same situation!
I will also add this to PopcornGamer’s Launch Argument Composer
Thank you Jon!
Enjoy your travels in the ultra-wide-west! 🙂
No Worries – hope the info can help someone else out! The guys who solved this on Reddit said it took him a few hours to work it out, and he had to create a Reddit account to post the answer! What great community spirit, so thanks goes to NorbzFR 😀