One of the biggest complaints PC and console gamers have about split screen gaming is that you can see your opponents' screen. Competitive Systems’ Arena claims to have found the solution to the dilemma. Is it effective?

The Arena is a device that you place in front of the television (works with TVs up to 27”) it prevents anyone but the player who is using their portion of the screen from seeing it. It uses mirrors and solid shields in order to project the image only to the player. I tested it with 3 of my friends on Perfect Dark.

In a two player game, both player 1 (top split screen) and player 2 (bottom) face the front of the TV. Player one is offset to the right and player two to the left . The gamers can only see their portion of the screen. This allows for more effective sneak attacks in competitive games and forces good communication in co-op games.

Four player set ups are more complicated. Players one (top left) and two (top right) sit behind and off to the side of the TV. Players three and four sit in front of the screen. Three and four see their isolated windows directly while one and two receive and image projected to them.  It works well for all involved, as all screens are of equal size and visual quality.

Since The Arena sits in front of the TV, it will work with all games for all systems that uses split screen imagery. The only issues any of us had with the Arena is that for some menus that use full screen, it was obviously hard to see everything.  Not a real issue, but an inconvenience nonetheless.

The Arena is effective at what it claims to do. It isolates each player’s screen from all the other players.  Everyone gets a clear view of the action, and only their view. It definitely makes for a more immersive and exciting gaming  experience.

For more information on The Arena, including a list of recommended games, visit Competitive Systems website at: http://www.comp-systems.com.