Minimalist In-Game Overlay (MSI Afterburner Tutorial)

Introduction

This tutorial will guide you through creating a minimalist in-game overlay using MSI Afterburner. This overlay is perfect for gamers who want to keep track of their performance metrics without cluttering their screen. We'll cover downloading necessary software, setting up the overlay, and customizing it to fit your preferences.

Step 1: Download Required Software and Files

To get started, you will need to download MSI Afterburner, a specific font, an image, and an export file.

• MSI Afterburner
  • Visit the MSI Afterburner download page and download the software.
• Open Sans Font
  • Download the font from Google Fonts.
• Circle Image
  • Access the circle image file through this Google Drive link.
• OVX Export File
  • Download the OVX export file from this Google Drive link.

Step 2: Install MSI Afterburner

Once you have downloaded MSI Afterburner, follow these steps to install it:

1. Locate the MSI Afterburner installer file in your downloads folder.
2. Double-click the installer to begin the installation process.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
4. Launch MSI Afterburner after installation.

Step 3: Configure MSI Afterburner for Overlay

Now that MSI Afterburner is installed, you need to configure it for your overlay.

1. Open MSI Afterburner.
2. Navigate to the settings by clicking the gear icon.
3. In the settings menu, go to the “Monitoring” tab.
4. Here, select the metrics you want to display (e.g., FPS, GPU temperature, etc.).
5. Check the box for "Show in On-Screen Display" for each metric you want visible during gameplay.
6. Adjust the positioning and display size of the metrics according to your preferences.

Step 4: Customize the Overlay Appearance

To achieve a minimalist look, you can customize the overlay's appearance.

1. In the settings menu, look for the “On-Screen Display” tab.
2. Set the “Font” option to Open Sans, which you downloaded earlier.
3. Adjust the colors to match your game's aesthetic or personal preference.
4. Use the circle image you downloaded as a background or frame for your overlay if desired.

Step 5: Load the OVX Export File

To quickly apply a predefined overlay setup, you can use the OVX export file.

1. In MSI Afterburner, go to the “File” menu.
2. Select “Import” and choose the OVX export file you downloaded.
3. Confirm the import to apply the settings.

Step 6: Test the Overlay In-Game

Before getting into serious gameplay, it's important to test the overlay to ensure everything displays correctly.

1. Launch a game to check if the overlay appears as intended.
2. Pay attention to the positioning and visibility of the metrics.
3. Make adjustments in MSI Afterburner if needed, returning to the settings menu.

Conclusion

You have successfully created a minimalist in-game overlay using MSI Afterburner! You can now keep track of your performance metrics without distractions. If you want to further customize your overlay, feel free to experiment with different metrics and visual styles. For more advanced features, consider exploring additional MSI Afterburner settings or integrating other tools. Happy gaming!