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Best Games to Show Off on a 34" OLED Ultrawide (and How to Configure Them)

UUnknown

2026-02-15

10 min read

Curated QD‑OLED ultrawide games and pro settings for the AW3423DWF — HDR, FOV and HUD tweaks to make every screenshot cinematic.

Bought a 34" QD‑OLED ultrawide and wondering which games actually make it sing?

Hook: You invested in an AW3423DWF or another 34" QD‑OLED ultrawide for the deeper immersion, punchier HDR and that cinematic field of view — but the screen only lives up to its promise if the game, settings and HUD are tuned for 21:9. Many players either see stretched UIs, cut-off HUD elements or washed-out HDR. This guide solves that: a curated list of titles that look spectacular on QD‑OLED ultrawide panels in 2026, plus step‑by‑step display and in‑game tweaks to show them off like a pro.

Quick summary — the most important bits first

Top picks: Forza Horizon 5, Microsoft Flight Simulator, Red Dead Redemption 2, No Man’s Sky, Doom Eternal — each native 21:9 or excellent with simple tweaks.
Display baseline (AW3423DWF): 3440×1440, 165Hz, HDR on, G‑Sync/FreeSync enabled, OSD Picture Mode tuned to Game/Cinema, pixel‑shift and logo dim features active for longevity.
In‑game essentials: set native resolution 3440×1440, increase FOV for racing and flight to 95–110, reduce HUD scale 0–85% for cinematic screenshots, use DLSS/FSR/frame generation smartly to hold 120–165 FPS.
2026 trends: native ultrawide support is more widespread post‑2024; frame generation tech and software HDR pipelines matured in 2025, making QD‑OLED HDR demos more consistent across titles.

Why QD‑OLED ultrawide (AW3423DWF) changes the game in 2026

QD‑OLED panels combine self‑emissive pixel contrast with the saturated color volume of quantum dots. On a 34" ultrawide you get expansive peripheral vision, inky blacks and vibrant highlights that elevate skyboxes, neon streets and cockpit canopies. By late 2025 and into 2026 monitor manufacturers and game studios are optimizing HDR pipelines and aspect‑ratio handling more than ever — and Alienware's AW3423DWF remains a flagship example, offering 3440×1440 at up to 165Hz and a three‑year warranty that includes OLED burn‑in protection.

How to set up your AW3423DWF (or similar QD‑OLED) for the best visuals

OSD and hardware preferences

Resolution & refresh: Set Windows and the GPU control panel to 3440×1440 at 165Hz (or 120Hz if you prioritise GPU headroom for frame generation).
HDR: Enable Windows HDR, then enable HDR in game. If HDR looks oversaturated or dim, use the game's HDR calibration sliders — set the white/peak value until specular highlights are visible but not clipped. For advanced calibration and HDR presets you can import to certain cloud-provisioned profiles, see our product partner notes.
Colour depth & format: Use 10‑bit (if supported) and RGB full when possible in the GPU control panel to avoid banding.
G‑Sync/FreeSync: Turn on adaptive sync to minimise tearing while keeping variable refresh in the display OSD enabled.
Picture mode: Start with Game for responsiveness or Cinema for richer color. Reduce the dynamic contrast and local contrast OSD options if they artificially crush midtones.
Burn‑in prevention: Enable pixel‑shift and logo dim options. The AW3423DWF ships with a three‑year OLED warranty and burn‑in protection — use those safeguards and avoid static HUDs anchored in the same spot for dozens of sessions in a row.

GPU driver & system tips (2026)

Keep drivers current — 2025–2026 driver releases improved HDR metadata handling and ultrawide UI fixes across major engines.
Use DLSS/FSR/XeSS (or your GPU's frame generation) smartly: enable quality mode if you want native clarity, or use frame generation to lock at 120–165Hz while reducing the native GPU load.
Configure Windows display scaling to 100% for screenshots and streaming; adjust in‑game UI scale instead for a consistent capture experience.

Curated titles that truly pop on a 34" QD‑OLED ultrawide

Below are hand‑picked games that pair spectacularly with ultrawide QD‑OLED features: expansive FOV, saturated HDR highlights, deep contrast and fine motion clarity. For each title I provide quick setup, HDR notes and HUD/FOV tweaks optimized for showing off visuals and taking cinematic screenshots.

1) Forza Horizon 5 — open‑world driving with HDR bloom and reflective surfaces

Why it shines: Vast vistas, dynamic weather, reflective car paint and cinematic HDR skies fill a 21:9 canvas perfectly.
Settings: 3440×1440, HDR On (use the in‑game HDR calibration), Ray Tracing Off/On depending on GPU — RT improves reflections but hits performance.
FOV & HUD: Racing: FOV 95–105 for cockpit; HUD Scale 80–90% for clean screenshots. Disable minimap or move to corners for captures.
Upscaling & frame gen: Use DLSS/FSR Quality if needed; frame generation will keep motion smooth on high refresh panels.

2) Microsoft Flight Simulator — cockpit detail and sweeping vistas

Why it shines: Ultrawide fills your peripheral vision with terrain detail, cloud layers and sun glints — a QD‑OLED gives excellent color separation and contrast in sunsets and atmospheric scattering.
Settings: 3440×1440, HDR On, Render Scaling 100–110% depending on GPU. Set Terrain Level of Detail and Volumetric Clouds high for visual fidelity.
FOV & HUD: Increase external camera FOV to 100–110 for scenic shots. Cockpit: lower HUD opacity and hide unnecessary gauges when photographing the horizon.
Performance tip: Use multicore CPU affinity tweaks (in 2026 toolsets) and driver profiles to keep GPU-bound scenes smooth at high fidelity.

3) Red Dead Redemption 2 — cinematic composition and natural lighting

Why it shines: The game's HDR lighting, volumetric fog and color grading look cinematic across a 21:9 frame. The extra horizontal space enhances composition in landscapes.
Settings: 3440×1440, HDR On with in‑game calibration, enable Temporal AA for cleaner edges or TAA + Sharpen filter. Disable Film Grain for cleaner captures.
FOV & HUD: FOV 70–85 for a filmic look; HUD scale 60–75% for unobstructed vistas. Use Photo Mode to lock exposure and focus for perfect screenshots.

4) No Man’s Sky — alien skies and neon planetscapes

Why it shines: Celestial color palettes, procedural flora and reflective water surfaces look sumptuous on QD‑OLED panels.
Settings: 3440×1440, HDR On, Motion Blur Off for crisp captures. Increase Terrain/Vegetation detail for close‑range clarity.
FOV & HUD: FOV 85–100 for exploration; HUD Scale ~80% and hide the HUD when taking screenshots. Use Photo Mode and add subtle bloom for drama.

5) Doom Eternal — high‑FPS spectacle and OLED blacks

Why it shines: Fast motion, neon contrasts and inky backgrounds make Doom's arenas pop on QD‑OLED — perfect for showing pixel‑level response and motion clarity.
Settings: 3440×1440, HDR On, Motion Blur Off, VSync Off with adaptive sync. Turn up particle detail and shadow resolution.
FOV & HUD: FOV 90–110 for wider situational awareness; HUD reduce to 70–90% for cleaner kill cams.
Frame target: Aim for 120+ FPS — use DLSS/FSR if you need help hitting that on ray‑traced settings.

6) Control — ray‑traced reflections and volumetrics

Why it shines: Control's real‑time ray tracing and stylised lighting look spectacular with QD‑OLED contrast and HDR peaks.
Settings: 3440×1440, RTX On for ray tracing, DLSS/FSR enabled to maintain FPS. HDR On with in‑game exposure tuned to preserve specular detail.
FOV & HUD: FOV 80–95; hide the HUD for architectural screenshots. Increase global illumination and reflection fidelity for saturated highlights.

7) Assetto Corsa Competizione / F1 titles — cockpit realism and track lighting

Why it shines: The wide cockpit view, detailed instrument dials and trackside lighting are ideal for ultrawide.
Settings: 3440×1440, HDR On (if supported), set post‑processing low for sharpness. Turn up shadow and texture quality.
FOV & HUD: Use factory FOV calculators (or in‑game slider) to set realistic cockpit perspective. Reduce HUD scale and shift elements inward to avoid edge clipping.

8) Horizon Zero Dawn / Horizon Forbidden West (PC) — open‑world colour and scale

Why it shines: Lush foliage, metallic machine reflections and warm sunsets read beautifully across ultrawide canvases.
Settings: 3440×1440, HDR On, increase foliage and shadow quality for depth. Use TAA + sharpening to avoid aliasing at wide views.
FOV & HUD: FOV 80–95; HUD midpoint and opacity adjustments help maintain cinematic composition.

Practical HUD and aspect‑ratio tricks for all games

Many developers still treat 21:9 as an afterthought. Use these cross‑game fixes to keep visuals clean and safe when showing off your monitor.

Always test HUD edges: Walk to corners of maps and menus — if UI elements clip, reduce HUD scale or toggle off elements like minimaps before capturing.
Use Photo Modes: Photo/Director modes lock exposure, depth of field and framing — ideal for display portfolios and ultrawide screenshots. For workflows that move captures into private, edge-first delivery systems see photo delivery UX.
FOV rules of thumb: Racing/flight games benefit from 95–110; third‑person titles 80–95; first‑person shooters 85–100 depending on comfort and motion sickness.
Cutscene letterboxing: Some cutscenes clamp to 16:9 leaving black bars on sides. If you want a full 21:9 cinematic look, use community patches or in‑game camera tools when available.
Screen capture & streaming: Set your recorder (OBS) base canvas to 3440×1440 to capture native ultrawide shots. For live streaming, crop to 16:9 or use blurred/graphic sidebars — explain the ultrawide aspect to viewers so they know what they’re missing.

2026 trends to watch — what’s changing for ultrawide showcases

More native 21:9 support: By 2026 a rising number of AAA studios ship ultrawide support day‑one, driven by user demand and display market growth after CES 2026 revealed more ultrawide OLED models.
Improved HDR standards: HDR pipelines, tone mapping and metadata handling improved in 2025–2026 driver and engine updates, which makes HDR content more predictable on QD‑OLED panels.
Frame generation maturity: Nvidia and AMD frame generation tech is now stable in top engines — you can get buttery motion on ultrawide at higher effective frame rates without as severe artifacting as early generations.
Burn‑in mitigation: Industry warranties and software techniques (pixel shifting, automatic dimming, HUD fade) are now standard; still, mindful usage preserves panel life. If you travel with displays or buy secondhand panels, our refurbished ultraportables & travel kits field guide helps buyers evaluate condition and warranty considerations.

The bottom line: The right game + the right settings = a jaw‑dropping QD‑OLED ultrawide showcase. In 2026 it’s easier than ever to get that combo.

Checklist: quick setup before your showcase session

Set monitor to 3440×1440, 165Hz and enable adaptive sync.
Enable Windows HDR and in‑game HDR; run the in‑game HDR calibration.
Update GPU drivers and enable DLSS/FSR/XeSS + frame generation if you need higher frame rates.
Adjust FOV and HUD scale per category (racing/flight > open world > FPS).
Enable pixel‑shift & logo dim; take breaks between long sessions to minimise static image risk.
Capture screenshots at native 3440×1440 and use Photo Mode for curated shots. For home studio and capture kits that speed this process, see our field review of home setups & dev kits.

Final tips from the floor — real examples and quick wins

From hands‑on testing across dozens of titles during CES 2026 demos and subsequent home setups, the fastest wins are:

Turn down the HUD before you screenshot; your scene immediately looks cinematic.
When showing HDR at events, set peak white in calibration to avoid blown highlights under bright room lighting.
Use a mix of native resolution + temporal upscaling to preserve sharpness while keeping stable FPS on heavy RT scenes. If you stream or build a small streaming rig, see our cloud gaming & streaming rigs guide for affordable setups.

Call to action

Ready to show off your AW3423DWF or pick one up now that ultrawide QD‑OLED is mature in 2026? Browse our curated 34" QD‑OLED bundles, get pre‑configured profiles for the games above, or chat with our team for custom calibration and HDR presets. Unlock the full 21:9 experience — your screenshots, streams and play sessions will thank you.

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Senior editor and content strategist. Writing about technology, design, and the future of digital media. Follow along for deep dives into the industry's moving parts.