Why does SRB2 recommend a 5:8 resolution?

[Snowbold]

5:8 is such a weird aspect ratio.

 

[Lamibe]

It's the aspect ratio of Doom(a DOS game and 4:3 and 16:9 wasn't that common on computer at this time).

 

[SeventhSentinel]

The game's HUD does not necessarily appear correctly at non-16:10 resolutions. It's never noticable in the base game, but any addon that adds or changes HUD elements may have visual errors in other aspect ratios, particularly in scenarios where HUD is drawn across the entire screen at once.

 

[CrayFray]

It's generally a better idea to use offsets for HUDs and piece the hud together individually so that regardless of aspect ratio by the user, the HUD should look correct.

 

[SeventhSentinel]

You're correct that that's a good idea. However, my understanding is that it's a total pain in the ass to implement. I've heard numerous stories of people fighting with the HUD system and ultimately giving up.