Sony is Bringing 3-Dimensional Games to a Console Near You

Sony recently announced that is going to provide a firmware update this summer to its popular PlayStation 3 console that will allow it to process 3-dimensional images on blu-ray discs and in games (see agoraquest.com). The attempt to bring 3D gaming to the masses is not new. Sega tried to bring 3D games to the Sega Master System in 1988 with the release of the SegaScope 3D Glasses. This set of glasses allowed for true 3-dimensional gameplay, but never caught on. The glasses cost $50, and only eight games were ever made that had 3D effects (see everything2.com). (Note: The everything2.com link incorrectly lists there being only six games available for the SegaScope. Wikipedia correctly lists the eighth available games here(everything2.com.)

For those not familiar with Sega, they have a history of pumping out game systems and peripherals quickly and then dumping them equally quickly(remember the 32x drive for the Sega Genesis or the Sega Saturn system?). Sony, however, is no Sega. They have historically committed themselves deeply to the new technologies they introduce. They have not always been successful, as the Betamax video cassette and MiniDisc format are evidence of, but Sony supported those formats for years and worked hard to try to make them successful.

But for the 3D PlayStation 3 to be successful, a lot of things will have to happen. First, PlayStation 3 owners will have to get 3D-compatible HDTVs. Essentially, this means that a TV must have a 120 hz refrehsh rate and be able to broadcast in HDMI 1.4(according to echradar.com). There are a few "3D ready" sets currently available, but the technology is still very new and has yet to make major inroads into homes. Second, to view the 3D content, you will need special glasses. These are not the red and blue cellophane glasses of 3D movies of yesteryear. Instead they are the higher tech, stereoscopic versions similar to what you would wear to see a movie like Avatar.

I have heard a lot of complaints from gamers and TV enthusiasts about having to wear glasses to see the 3D content. Some have said that they will only get on board with 3D technology when you don't need glasses to enjoy it. For somebody who has recently purchased a new HDTV, this makes sense. There is no guarantee that 3D gaming and content on movies is going to be an instant success, despite the fact that technology giant Sony is getting behind it. That being said, I don't believe the need to wear glasses is going to be a deal breaker if the 3D content is as stunning as what viewers enjoyed in Avatar.

If game developers can provide a 3D experience that significantly ups the depth and immersive quality of games, I believe that gamers will flock to it despite the need for a new TV or glasses. It will take time and there will undoubtedly be some growing pains involved, but 3D gaming represents the future of the industry and is not a fad, as some have suggested. It just might take a while before it before it becomes the norm.

So what kind of game content will get users excited about 3D gaming? First let's look at what won't work. Simply tacking on 3D environments to standard games is not going to cut it. Sure, they might look pretty and even dazzling, but the expense required will not convince gamers that a little extra eye candy is worth the cost.

Motion control in gaming is a good example of a popular new technology in gaming that has been done both very well and very poorly. Some developers have made the motion control an integral part of the gaming experience, requiring gamers to master gestures ranging from the subtle to the complex. This has provided for a new and enjoyable game experience provided the core game itself is of sufficient quality. However, many developers have tacked on a few motion control elements to crappy games in an effort to make them seem more exciting or fresh. Such games are colossal failures and have served to turn of a significant number of gamers to motion control.

Sony needs to ensure that the first generation of 3D games are spectacular and use 3D content in ways never before seen in games. Heck, if they can even get just 10 to 20 solid 3D games, the buzz will get gamers onboard. Even though it was an utter piece of trash, the Sega 32x initially sold well until gamers realized its worthlessness. Just imagine what a truly revolutionary piece of technology could do if gets a proper treatment.

So for now I'm holding my breath, waiting expectantly, and hoping that Sony's firmware update to the PlayStation 3 will be the next big step in gaming. I honestly believe it will, but I've been wrong before. I thought that the dual screens on the Nintendo DS were "gimmicky" when I first saw the device.

agoraquest.com
everything2.com
everything2.com
echradar.com