Disabling Depth of Field Effect in Grounded 2: A Step-by-Step Guide

In a manner reminiscent of its predecessor, Grounded 2 incorporates a robust depth of field effect, which artfully blurs distant environments and objects. While this feature enhances the game’s graphical presentation, it can become a distraction for players who prefer a sharper image without post-processing effects.

Fortunately, the game settings allow for some adjustments; however, if you’re aiming for a complete removal of depth of field, follow these steps to deactivate it entirely.

How to Completely Disable Depth of Field in Grounded 2

Similar to other titles built on Unreal Engine 5, Grounded 2 allows players to disable depth of field through direct modification of its configuration files. While this might not be straightforward, you can manually create and configure the necessary file to achieve the desired result.

Open File Explorer and navigate to the following path:

C:\Users\[Windows Username]\AppData\Local\Augusta\Saved\Config\WinGRTS

Within this directory, create a new text file and rename it to Engine.ini, ensuring you change the file extension from.txt to.ini.
Edit the file to include the following line:

[SystemSettings]r. DepthOfFieldQuality=0

Your file should resemble the following:

Save your changes (Ctrl + S) and then exit the editor.
Important: Right-click on the Engine.ini file, choose Properties, and check the “Read Only” option under Attributes. This step is crucial as it prevents the game from overwriting or deleting the Engine.ini file during startup.

Once you have completed these steps, you’re all set! When you launch Grounded 2 again, depth of field will be fully disabled.

Visual Comparison of Depth of Field Settings

Below are comparison screenshots showcasing the game with minimal in-game depth of field versus its complete removal via the Engine.ini file modification.

The imagery illustrates that with depth of field disabled, the focus remains sharp across the entire field, enhancing gameplay visibility.

To revert back to using depth of field, simply delete the Engine.ini file from the directory.

While depth of field adds intriguing visuals to the gaming world, I believe players should have the option to disable it for an unhindered experience. Given that Grounded 2 is currently in early access, there is potential for developers to implement user feedback and possibly introduce an in-game toggle for this effect. Although no such option was present in the original title, the possibility remains for this installment.

Source & Images