Sony: 3D Gaming Has to Be Really Good, or People Won't Care

[MissAshley]

While I wondered what the point of 3D was for movies (i.e., Where's the draw in being a silent, omniscient bystander within the film?), I've always felt video games could somehow benefit from it. When my first experiences with 3DS kiosks left me cold and my eyes hot, I wondered if maybe I was wrong. Then I took the 3DS plunge anyway thanks to the Ambassador program and got giddy as Ocarina of Time 3D suddenly felt new again in many places simply due to the depth of field effect. No joke, I've even imagined I could smell certain areas of the game due to the effect. I can't say I went into it expecting that.

I'm sold on the potential value 3D visuals have for games, but I think everyone will need their own "aha" moment. I think Avatar was an anomaly in how it became many people's "aha" moment for 3D in film. From what I understand, the plot is stock and the art design is uninspired. (I wonder if maybe it worked so well for so many because many simply lack imagination.)

I remember back when I didn't understand the point of HD video. I'd see HDTVs in stores and think "And?" Then I watched an HD episode of The Simpsons online and understood. My "aha" moment for HD came from a show I had watched for over two decades. It gave me a point of reference. I think that's exactly why OoT3D managed to sell me on 3D in games.

Which reminds me: I need to find out where I can catch The Lion King in 3D. Maybe it will make me a 3D-movie believer.

 

[zehydra]

No, 3D is an enhancement to immersion. That is, it's not like 2D takes away from the experience, but 3D adds to it. A 2D entertainment can perfectly stand on its own.

Any examples from recent memory? I remember the only time Avatar impressed me was with the wisps of ash from the burnt tree, and even then it was "That's pretty...oh damn, what was he saying?"

I haven't seen Avatar in 3D, and I didn't see Toy Story 3 in 3D either. Last movie I think was UP. In UP, the 3D effect made the characters look like they had substance, that is, they looked like you would know what they felt like if you touched them. It's kind of like bump mapping in that sense.

In general, I think 3D adds more to gaming than to movies, since movies already are supposed to be a passive experience, whereas in gaming you're supposed to "be" in a world.

 

[ryo02]

huh wha? 3D gaming? pfft dont care and quite likely never will gimmicky crap I dont want anything to do with.

 

[MajorDolphin]

Don't care. First party shooters are being destroyed by their other gimmick.

*Ponders if he meant first "person" shooters?* In that case, I didn't know being boring was a gimmick, but it's sure in most every game.

This is the third or fourth time since the invention of 3D that it's reared its ugly, expensive head. About 90% of the movies that come out in 3D... or 4D *eyeroll* are awful. Not only are they bad movies in their own right, but the 3D effect is just ugly. It muddies the movie. I'm not gonna make any claims about immersion, but I have yet to see a movie in 3D that I was thrilled that I saw it in 3D, in most cases I walked out wishing I had seen it in 2D and spared myself the headache and extra money. Likewise I have yet to see a movie in 2D that I felt like I was truly missing out.

With games, with the tech this generation has, it's just not gonna work. Very few genres actually benefit for being in 3D, FPSs probably being the only one. The fun of 3D is having stuff fly at YOU, the viewer, and not many games can give you that without it feeling really out of place and obscuring the game.

Killzone was a good test for the idea in a genre that's appropriate for it and even then it didn't leave the fans clamoring for more. Mark my words though, Uncharted is going to be the game that demonstrates how silly the idea is for the larger consoles. The 3DS has already been kind enough to show us how bad the idea is for the handheld market.

No, I meant "party" as in Sony owned or published games. UC3, KZ3, Socom etc. Sony pushes their hardware products through these games. For example, the 150 dollar Move/Sharpshooter, the headsets, the old harddrive for the PS2 etc.

I agree with you on the 3D being ugly. You can spot these terrible shots even in standard version of these movies and waving a branch in front of the screen isn't really as awesome as they want. A good example of this, Alice in Wonderland which constantly through garbage up on the screen to show off the 3D. I like to focus on things in the movie that I choose. 3D forces you to focus on one thing or you're staring at blurry images.

 

[MajorDolphin]

Don't care. First party shooters are being destroyed by their other gimmick.

What would this other gimmick be? I'm not being sarcastic or anything I really don't know what you are talking about.

The Move.

 

[vxicepickxv]

Optional 3D:So we can charge you more for shit you won't use.