With E3 just around the corner Sony is hard at work pushing 3D technology as the next step in gaming. Though the company realizes that the current market is small, it also believes that the potential is there to grow and expand into something special. This is obvious to see with Sony revealing that Killzone 3 will be supported by 3D gameplay and other titles will be receiving an update for the technology as well.
A SCE Sales Director in the UK recently discussed the market and had the following to say:
“I think this year the actual size of the 3D market is relatively small because we’re right at the beginning of the lifecycle,” SCE UK sales director told MCV. “Ultimately it will be dependent on the number of 3D TVs that are sold and how quickly they are sold.
“But this year it’s really a great tech story for us. It’s another capability that PS3 has and we’re adding it free of charge. From our perspective that’s a key message.
“We’ve seen this in action and I must admit that I think 3D gaming is much more compelling than 3D movies because once you’ve experienced a game in 3D you’ll want to buy a 3D TV. It certainly converted me. It’s much more compelling.”
As someone who has checked out the 3D technology at previous CES events in Las Vegas, I can confirm that certain 3D titles do change the gaming experience entirely. Playing a racer while being in the driver’s seat is a much better experience on the 3D platform than anything else. There really isn’t much else like it except for actually being in a car.
“MotorStorm is one of the titles mentioned in our Bravia offer,” he explained. “If you’re a gamer playing a driving game you want to be in the driving seat, you don’t want that cheaty third person view where you can see the corner coming way ahead.
“But when you’re in the cockpit it’s often quite hard to judge that corner. Take F1, as an example. You’re very low to the ground on a flat circuit – it’s hard to see where the world goes. 3D changes that. Here I am, here’s the end of the car, here’s the end of the road.
“That improves the experience and, donning my Tomorrow’s World hat, shows where it might go in the future in terms of when people actually start making games for 3D as opposed to adapting existing titles.”
How many of you are excited for this big, upcoming change?
I would be excited for it if it somehow didn’t require me to buy an entirely new television. But for now, I’ll just have to wait until it becomes more affordable and my current television stops working. I’m sure for certain games, racers as an example, it’ll really provide an amazing experience but it just doesn’t warrant the cost.
Immersion has nothing to do with 3D. It has everything to do with a good story, believable characters, etc. That’s why I hated Avatar.
@TRF
While I agree that story and characters really has a large part in immersing the player into the game, it’s crazy to ignore that a good 3D experience can also be just as good to make the player feel like they’re “in” the game. Much like some people hate the fact that the trophy *ding* pops up during key moments in certain game experiences (Heavy Rain gave them to you in between chapters to not disrupt the flow of the story), being limited by a 2D view can also make the player realize that they’re playing a game, taking them out of the whole experience. I think it’s a tech that has to be experienced to be believed and I agree that in the end, it’s something that will be more compelling than movies, aka those who’ve seen Avatar.
@TRF
That would be like saying real life isn’t immersive because sometimes the story and characters (people) you know are real crappy 😉
I got a SamSung 50″ Plasma 3D HDTV as a replacement for my broken 1 from BestBuy after getting the run around after 6 weeks without my TV working . I haven’t even been able to use the 3D feature cause of the cost of the classes @ $360 – $160 . I have of a video posted on my YouTube Channel just click on my name & it will take you my Channel rate comment subscribe Oh and FUCK BEST-BUY!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I might buy a 3d tv in the future when it is cheaper and more popular. Right now almost no games or movies use it so it would be pointless buying one now.
Nice try sony, your not getting my money just yet. he he he
Great site. A lot of useful information here. I’m sending it to some friends!