The Weekend Debate: 3D Gaming Thoughts

It’s still far too expensive for the lack of content they have to offer. It’s taking off mind, very slowly. Think there is going to have to be what you call ‘The Killer App’ which will just light 3D on fire and everyone will want it. Until then it’ll remain in my eyes, an expensive gimmick.

I really don’t see the point if 3d gaming with glasses. I don’t want to sit down grab my controller, fiddle with various settings inly to find out that I can’t play Killzone 14 because my semi-futuristic space glasses are out of battery… Honestly if I wanted bullets to actually fly out at me I would be in a real war and not camped out on the couch.

3D is not the future of gaming it’s a fleeting buzz just like motion controls and yoyo’s!

3D gaming to me is still in its infancy and I’m yet to break into the market to try it to the full extent. I understand that it’s something that will probably be around for a long time to come but it’s just not right for me at the moment.

If there was a way to incorporate a different system, much like they do with the simplistic style at the cinema then it would take off a whole lot more. Including a more immersive option for a full 3DTV experience. At the moment though it’s still way too expensive and too much of a gimmick in my eyes.

Sure I would love to get to grips with it and get a full experience for myself. My next screen will have to be 3D but when the time comes I wont be getting it for the 3D, I’ll be getting it for the quality and size of the screen. Might as well give the other part a go too. At the end of the day, it’s something that has taken off in a short period of time, I want to know if it’s going to last first…

3D gaming should imo pick up over time.3D TV’s are getting cheeper more games are being made in 3D and look at the rise in films being done in 3D too.

Some games look great but then you have the ones that just hurt your eyes but given time this will only get better.

If I had the cash to splash I would have a 3D tv hooked up to my PS3

I’m with Mark Kermode on this. 3D is a pointless gimmick which adds nothing to the experience. All it achieves is eye strain, headaches, and making everything look absurdly dark.

I can handle 3D at an IMAX once or maybe twice a year, I treat it as a rollercoaster, something vacuous and pointless but mildly amusing in very short bursts. In video games on a tiny HDTV, it makes everything look small and like a pop out childrens book. Worse is how the lack of GPU power in the current, rather antique consoles mean visible rendering cut backs have to be made to accommodate rendering two views – most notably sub-HD resolutions and reduced geometry detail and spluttering frame rates.

What are your feelings around 3D gaming?

At the moment 3D is still in its infancy with technology pushing for more advanced 3D almost on a yearly basis, once a solid foundation of tech is out there which all different manufacturers agree to its going to be a big player. I think that tech will be glasses free 3D

not saying that the current 3D is by any means poor or crappy but I cant imagine playing Mortal Kombat with a friend while we are both playing these massive glasses on our heads.

For single player experiences though, 3D is already a great way to improve already fantastic games. Killzone 3, Uncharted 3 and Crysis 2 were a blast to play in 3D in single player and I hope more companies include 3D as an additional component of titles.

oh and have a great weekend guys!

I like 3D gaming but for many people it’s too expensive, especially with everyone still upgrading to HD. I think I’ll upgrade the next time I need a new TV.

When it comes to games I don’t think it will be the final word, but it is certainly a nice addition.

oh and have a great weekend guys! <3

I’ve yet to experience “big screen” 3D gaming, but I can certainly see benefits in some areas.

I’m often confounded by 3D platform games, simply because there’s not enough point of reference in terms of depth to work out exactly where you are. By adding 3D, all of a sudden it becomes much simpler to work out exactly where you are in terms of 3D space when looking from a distant, third party view.

I suspect for most games though, it’s a gimmick that adds a mild feeling of immersion, a little like surround sound. It’s not really needed, but it’s kind of cool and you miss it once you’re used to it. In reality, it doesn’t add much at all.

Personally, I love 3D and I’ve been obsessed with it since I was a child with a Paddington Bear View-Master toy. I think I’m probably in a minority though, with most people writing it off as an expensive, headache inducing gimmick. I’ll get the opportunity eventually to try it out properly, but until then, I see it as an expensive, add-on to your gaming experience. Like controller rumble, surround sound and HD graphics I hope that it becomes less costly and ubiquitous.

I’ve not experience 3D gaming/movies at home but I am dead set against it – the thought of having to wear glasses (and having enough of them if others want to watch) is really off putting. My wife doesn’t mind me playing something like UC3 if she can watch whilst doing other things – but she is never going to put on 3D glasses to do that.

I personally think it is a fantastic addition to gaming. It’s brilliant that it has been added to this generation of consoles without the need for a console hardware upgrade. Playing Killzone 3, Crysis 2, Call of Duty Black Ops and WipEout HD in 3D brings a much more immersive experience. The only criticism I would have is the slight loss in resolution with the so-called ‘jaggy edges’. I guess the next generation of consoles might have the ability to overcome that.
I was disappointed to discover that Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 does not currently have 3D mode.
It’s definitely the future for some games.

3D gaming has a lot of potential, except not as a main feature. Adding depth to the equation can be a great help in racing, shooting or other genres. It is too bad that this potential is squandered on gimmicky ‘Wow’ effects, by both movies and games. As long as 3D is a tacked on feature instead of fully incorporated within the production process, it ‘s not really worth adding at all, and even then it might not add that much to the experience. While Avatar was a very spectacular movie, and the 3D was well done, the 3D was not the driving factor behind the graphics: it was just an enhancement.

There are people that have issues with 3D gaming, like headaches, stupid glasses or fuzzy screens. While I do think these issues detract from the overall experience, it is merely a matter of time before they are fixed, and I think it would be a waste to not look into the possibilities.

When 3D is done right, like the recent Uncharted 3 or the somewhat older Motorstor: Pacific Rift, it can definitely add a layer of immersion (looking forward to the Assassin leap of faith in 3D). For now however, we must focus on improving the overall quality of it, instead of making it into a gimmick.

i don´t have a 3d tv so still not played games in 3d yet. i don´t think i´ll get a 3d tv yet becouse they cost to mutch. mabe in 5 years i have a 3d tv.

Any thing that add an extra dimension into gaming can only be a good thing sorely? despite at the moment only a limited number of people owning them, soon they will be integrated into mainstream culture with every house hold owning one. (its just a matter of time and losing the glasses).

Having 3D just adds that extra precision to the game whether thats judging the depth, turning into a hairpin on gran turismo to knock those vital seconds off lap times or judging the distance from the enemy in killzone to throw a precise grenade landing inches away from them.

Anything thats helps us be more precise in gaming is welcome. Or that helps to add immersion into games building atmosphere and tension is great.

Soon we may not even need a tv if sony 3d headset is anything to go buy (turning us more futuristic then star wars).

3D in gaming. Well, really, is not something that a player needs. And also is kind of expensive. I have a 40′ 3d smart tv but i don’t play games in 3d because the quality of the titles are… Well… Not too good. The only titles worth playing in 3d would be god of war origins and prince of persia trilogy. I also have KZ3 and Crysis 2 (wich is not real 3d) and almost all of the 3d titles. So having a 3d display now is like trophies. Just to brag about. And i am bragging to xbox players how their console does not have real 3d. Seriously now, it’s not really needed (how the quality of the image drops in 3d), but a welcomed feature.

Not worth it on the current home consoles.I don’t want resolution or frame rate sacrifices whilst using 3D.So i’ll never buy a 3D TV for the current home consoles.

It’s very expensive,and with health issues mainly concerning vision,having to take brakes between now and then.When I play I usually play for hours and hours in one game session.Also,I see it as a thing only fit for fast paced,action packed games so that it can display it’s best effects.Whereas when playing a huge open world game like Skyrim(or different RPG games),it isn’t really needed.The amount of support from Sony and different developers is tempting though,but for now most people will only wait for 3D TV’s to hit the sweet spot in price before they start buying it.

I love the idea of sitting down to game in an immersive and 3D world where everything comes to life, however I believe the current execution is flawed.

1) Socially 3D gaming is restrictive – every person needs a pair of glasses, which is prohibitively expensive.
2) It is still not fully immersive – restricted to the limits of the TV screen.
3) I already wear glasses so an extra pair just looks daft and feels very unfortable – does any one do prescription 3D glasses?
4) It makes me feel sick – don’t ask me why it just does. Real life doesn’t though, neither does 2D gaming.

What I would really love is a 3D experience where the world completely surrounds me – think the holodeck in star trek, where I don’t need to wear a special pair of glasses and where friends could watch/join in without additional expenditure (controllers excluded).

I already wear glasses, and wearing additional ones over the top is extremely uncomfortable, so as long as 3D requires glasses, I’m not interested.

However, even without glasses, I still see it as little more than a gimmick. For those that want it, fine – but I’ve never found 3D to add anything to the experience.

The only time I’ll ever buy a 3D TV is when I need to replace my current unit, and that’s only because it’ll probably be a standard feature and I’ll have no choice in the matter. Even then, it’s highly unlikely that I’ll ever use it.

My thoughts on 3D are as follows:

It IS a relatively new technology, especially in the gaming world, so of course it comes with difficulties, as do most new technological advancements. Price of entry and of course, simply the capabilities of the technology being the most obvious ones.

Like I said though, they’re problems that most new technologies struggle with. Look at motion control as a good example. That started as almost a gimmick, and while it’s far from perfect, it’s starting to become a more legitimate and sometimes preferential form of controlling video games.

To sum up, yes it has problems, but it’s only early, and if it’s continually worked on, it has the potential to become part of the mainstream and change gaming forever…

Here’s my thoughts in the most concise fashion possible:

3D is a means for publishers and hardware producers to make more money. It doesn’t add to the experience (except, of course, for blindness…), and is little more than a distraction. I watched Avatar a few years back, by the time I finished watching it I felt like I was going to be sick.

Gaming doesn’t need 3D. 2D has worked well for over thirty years, so why change it?

Enjoyable, another step towards The Lawnmower Man, keep it going…

I’ve gotten quite varied results from different 3DTVs using active or passive 3D but my opinion is that the positive results do shine mostly when combined with a Move controller.

I think “immersion” is the keyword here and I like to compare my experience of good “3D” gaming nowadays with how Killzone 2 tackled its first-person view: putting you and your spacial view in the game and keeping you there throughout the action, even if it has to feel a bit cramped at times as long as it is done in a stylistic way.

There’s just something with stereoscopic 3D Move aiming in a FPS and it made my playthroughs of Killzone 3, SOCOM: Special Forces and Resistance 3 something quite unique, even if short breaks are needed because of the occasional strain on the eyes.

Then again, many of my friends dislike Move aiming and/or 3DTVs and it is still quite expensive to combine both (even if a certain new Sony 3DTV model might change that ;P) so I guess it’s very individual but gamers should give it a try when possible as both technologies can be configured extensively and work so well together.

Recently I got to test on friends new 3D plasma my Killzone 3 copy. The eyewear were pretty sleek and light (38grams) and fitted neatly on my head without being annoying. I’ve been pretty unhappy with the movie industry for abusing the 3D and forcing viewers to this 3D gimmick when unneedingly.
I was pretty much anxious to see what real three dimensional game would look like with this tech. The feeling was still the same with more irritation to my eye after a short gameplay. Eyefocus tends to go around the actual gaming world and the UI which are placed in different levels. This causes serious pains and distortion to the gaming experience for me. Rather than enjoying the game the 3D actually makes it seriously unenjoyable experience.

Like famous Walter Murch ,respected film editor and sound designer in the modern cinema said:
“dark, small, stroby, headache inducing, alienating. And expensive. The question is: how long will it take people to realize and get fed up?”

Personally i can’t get used to it, i’ve played a few PS3 games in 3D – uncharted 3, resistance 3 as well as the 3DS and to be honest it makes me feel a little montion sickness, and can see that prolonged sessions can give me headaches!

I’m happy with the way games have come on graphically an hope these continue to improve

3D is awesome!

Stop whinging about the price of glasses and them running out of battery, just buy an LG 3D tv with PASSIVE 3D technology and enjoy it! The PS3 is a very capable machine and I’m gonna squeeze everything I can out of it!

If you don’t want 3D, then it’s your loss, but I want it, and many many more people want it, so keep it coming I say!

PS3, 47″ 3D LG TV, boom! In your face 2D!

3D gaming is the best thing you can have on a 3D telly. (and it looks really great on my Panasonic)
Content is still the issue with movies, but games are easily available in 3D.
And while I agree that casual gaming is not something I do in 3D, it is quite an experience with big titles, like Killzone 3 or GT5, and lately above all, Uncharted 3.
Besides the usual ‘deeper inolvement’ argument, there are gameplay advantages in being able to judge depth much better, while another side-effect (at least to me) is that playing in 3D seems to make graphical glitches like low resolution textures/artifacts much less noticable.

As for those complaining about the price tag, I think we had this discussion about 6 years earlier when initials specs mentioned 1080p output on the PS3, and 1080p screens were way beyond the average gamers wallet. Within a year it will be another checkbox on the telly spec sheet, so instead of complaining about not being able to play it now, look forward to the day you can.

I guess I’m lucky,already had a 3D capable projector hooked up to the ps3 so it only cost £250 to get the 3D converter box(still only £750 in total!)
AND WOW! 120″ of HD goodness.

I’ve been thoroughly impressed with a lot of the content so far, God of War looks great, as does Motorstorm and Resistance

There’s a slight dip in graphical fidelity on some titles sure but only really noticeable when you stop to think about it. NEVER in the middle of the action.

As far as 3DTV’s go, I’ve yet to be impressed. They still have a way to go.
But with my set-up I’ve never seen any screen tear or ghosting.the picture has been perfect, even when whirling round like a Dervish.

I also wear prescription glasses and have NO problem with the active shutterglasses fitting comfortably over them.

I believe a lot of the 3D ‘hate’ comes from the fact it is still quite niche, and it comes down to the jealousy of the ‘have-not’s’.
It’s just like the hate the PS3 got in it’s infancy.People who couldn’t afford it spewed vitriolic bile and hate at it with gay abandon. But a few years on.it’s a very different story.

I have many friends who were totally non-plussed by the idea of 3d gaming but are now solid believers.

Uncharted 3 is quite amazing in 3D, a real asvert for the years ahead.

Also In some games it REALLY helps. I can’t play GT5 in 2D…I’m rubbish…but In 3D I rock!….well I win races instead of coming my usual last but two places.

I can see 3D gaming being here to stay.

I know 3D has come and gone in the past, but now as graphics and picture quality are reaching incredibly high levels that can’t really be improved much more, I think 3D will start to (slowly) take over in the same way high definition did a few years ago. At first it was incredibly expensive and hardly anyone had a TV that supported it, but now it is the norm.

I don’t own a 3D TV myself, so haven’t played any games in 3D, but I have been impressed by (some) 3D films at the cinema, so I can definitely see the potential for 3D improving the gaming experience.

I find it hard to pass judgement on 3D gaming as unfortunately I’m yet to try it out for myself.

I have no doubts that it can, when implemented correctly, add an extra layer of depth to the overall gaming experience; much in the same way that surround sound, motion controls etc can, but ultimately, I don’t believe that it’s at a stage right now where it can be regarded as as essential part of the package.

Perhaps 3D’s biggest challenge is conveying the advantages of the technology to consumers like me, i.e. those who are intrigued, but don’t necessarily have access to experience it for themselves. After all, the potential benefits of 3D can only really be demonstrated by giving consumers hands-on time by getting them into the stores.

Therefore, I feel as though 3D gaming is a nice option for those who can take advantage of to have, but with it’s current implementation, it’s by no means a requirement to enjoy the latest and greatest that gaming has to offer.

The only experience I have had with 3D gaming has been the Nintendo 3DS. To be more specific Star Fox 3D and LoZ:OoT 3D. Other than that the only other “modern” 3D I have had time with was Toy Story 3 and a Sky Sports demo.

So arguably pretty limited but I can say with 100% confidence that I prefer a crystal clear “flat” blu-ray experience over the 3D one.

I’m disappointed with the slow adoption of 3D since I believe it’s the next big movement in gaming after motion controls and high definition.

The extra dimension really adds a greater sense of immersion for me, and I seem to be one of the lucky ones that doesn’t experience headaches or eyestrain through continued usage (or perhaps this is simply due to my stubborn belief that it’s the future?)

I bought a passive 3DTV purely in anticipation of playing Shadow of the Colossus and Uncharted 3 in 3D, and while I still think that glasses-free 3D technology should be the goal, I’m very happy with the passive experience. It’s makes it so much more affordable to crowd people round the TV when the glasses are so cheap (or free if you keep your cinema glasses like I do!)

Shadow was beautiful, but Uncharted 3 really blew me away with the 3D experience. I can’t imagine playing it in 2D now. It’s as big a leap for me as when I first got my PS3 and saw the HD wonderment of MotorStorm for the first time. I just hope there’s enough continued investment into the technology and increased customer awareness so the digital 3D movement isn’t lost like previous 3D attempts have been in the past.

I have never watched anything in 3D. What i think of it: I think, its kinda cool but useless feature. This 3D thing is wannabe real life. I dont like 3D.

I believe 3D gaming is probably the best reason to drive the 3D market. The results, when done correctly, can be a worthwhile addition. However, the uptake is hampered as there are competing 3D technologies and most people will not buy a new 3D TV just for gaming. From my perspective in this generation 3D gaming will remain very much a niche.

What I am most interested in is the Sony HMZ-T1 (which has the best 3D capabilities since it has independent displays for each eye). Whilst it can connect to the PS3 the only problem is that the current model does not have head tracking. The idea of being able to fully immerse yourself in a game world, maybe also using PS Move to simulate your hands, would be amazing.

As we approach the end of the current generation of consoles I believe the next gen needs a better hook than just improved graphics and AI. Love it or hate it (I hate it) the Wii with it’s motion control was a smart move as proven by the sales figures. Sony tends to focus on the mature market and latest tech and so I can only hope we see a PS4 which somehow leverages a revised version of the HMZ-T1 (perhaps as an optional item since it will still be expensive) to really give us a 3D world to play in.

I’m a sucker for new technology & last year I decided to invest in a 3DTV, it’s the best choice I’ve made. I’m not forced to watch or play in 3D if I want to watch a movie I fire on the glasses if I want to watch the sport I do the same. I don’t think it will be the normal way to watch stuff but an option. Gaming next to a James Cameron 3D technology film are the only things that should embrace 3D. Wipeout HD is by far the best game I’ve played on my ps3, the type of game suits the 3D style unlike black ops which had alot of stuff going on to focus. Killzone 3 with the move & 3D was pretty amazing also. No ones expecting 3D to take off but I think it will as an alternative viewing option. 3D & HD can’t be compared, one is a certain way of viewing something & the other is a better way of viewing something. 3D gaming is here & here for the long run

I have to say 3D gaming can be a great benefit to a game when used properly. I played Motorstorm in 3D and it added so much to the depth of view, making it easier to get a route through the hectic map.

But I feel in its current state it is an expensive add-on that is not without problems. It seems tacked on for certain experiences and the necessary use of glasses is a problem for me as I already wear glasses. Hopefully proper 3D without glasses will be possible and then it will be an amazing feature for all gamers.

I still can’t understand this huge boom on 3D games and movies. The glasses are uncomfortable (especially if you need to wear specs at the same time), the 3D effect isn’t all that great (and it’s easy to make stupid mistakes in placing objects), the graphics themselves loose a little bit in the conversion process and the whole 3D “experience” can give you a nasty headache.

So yeah, I’d rather stick with my 2D picture and leave the third dimension for holograms.

my tv is due for an upgrade and when i do get a new tv it will be a 3d tv, however i do find the whole thing a bit hit and miss.

i tried a few games at the first playstation access event i went to killzone and motorstorm and i was not sold at that point as fast moving images seemed juddery(the only way i can describe it).
my friend recently bought a 3d tv which was near top of the line and it does not seem to have the same issue’s with the fast moving images and i was impressed.

with regards to gaming im far more interested in depth of view and not things flying out at me, im sure 3d gaming will grow on me after a while.

i view it like this ill be getting a 3d tv for 3d blurays and once i have the tec ill be using it for all its worth so im sure i will get into 3d gaming more when i get the tv

Although I only experienced stereostopic 3D for a brief 5 minutes at GameFest with ICO, I do believe stereoscopic 3D is the future. It really does add to the experience and I think that SONY will be at the fore-front. With the PlayStation Branded 24″ 3D monitor and HMZ-T1 3D viewer on the way, if any company can bring 3D to the masses, SONY can!

In my opinion gaming is where 3D TVs shine. I have a few 3D Blu-Rays, and they are great to watch but I can take or leave the 3D experience that they give, games on the other hand benefit considerably. The 3D capable games I have (Black Ops, Arkham City, Uncharted 3 & Sonic Generations), all look great in 3D, with perhaps the exception of Sonic’s 2D levels, as there’s far too much moving on screen for comfortable viewing. The depth that 3D adds to the games is on occasion astounding, most notable in Arkham City and Uncharted, where the action really does come to life in new ways, especially in Uncharted’s chase sequences.

Continued…

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I didn’t buy my 3D TV because it was 3D capable, but it is a feature that I really enjoy. Whether or not 3D will truly take off, I don’t know. I think there is far too much mixed opinion for it to really be a mainstream staple, but if the option is there I don’t see any problem with it being a personal choice.

Perhaps in years to come technology will advance enough that the related side effects (which I can’t say I ever experience) will be irradicated, opening up the medium to a wider audience, so maybe 3D will become a bigger part of our lives, but for now I’m happy enough to don my glasses and enjoy the view.

Still think I’d feel/look like a tit wearing sunglasses indoors at night. When they can produce a decent 3D display that doesn’t need glasses and will work as a main tv (40″ minimum) then I’m onboard.

The current consoles just about do 720p at 30fps in mainline games. We can’t even do 1080p 60fps in all but the rarest games. Adding the 3D gimmick to games makes them worse in most cases, when the power on the console isn’t doubled to compensate.

Also having watched Tron Legacy in IMAX 3D and 2D Bluray Ican tell you that 3D seems to destroy a lot of detail. Most games have an element of precision in them, adding flickery/polarised glasses makes them harder to see. You loose to much to gain too little.

Also 3D is just unpopular. An unnamed competitor’s 3D hand held hasn’t sold, all of the TV manufacturers have posted losses because 3D and smart TVs haven’t sold.

Also 3D isn’t 3D. The Stereoscopic effect only hooks into one of many visual indicators of depth. You can’t focus on one area, because the film camera has done the work for you and you brain can flip out trying to focus.

Saying the current implementation is true 3D is as true as a virtual controller on a touch screen, i.e. no where near the real thing.

I just bought a 3D tv and I have to say that Killzone and Wipeout (the only games I’ve tried), have blown my head off completely…!

It’s a bit of a niche at the moment, but give it a few years and all TVs will be 3D enabled as standard.

I haven’t actually tried 3D gaming yet, mostly because I can’t imagine any real benifits that justify the cost. The idea sounds cool but wether or not it improves on the experience i can’t say. I am tempted by the playstation branded 3D tv though. Being able to play two player without split screen sounds pretty awesome:p

I was looking to upgrade from my 32″ TV and since I also own a decent gaming PC with a nvidia card that is connected to my TV besides the PS3, I decided to get a 3D TV. Overall, till now my experience with 3D has been mixed. On one hand, with games that properly use 3D (Prince of Persia on my PS3, Batman Arkham Asylum on the PC) the experience really looks great. On the other hand, very few games right now support 3D properly – on console, there are almost none, on the PC, the situation is better with the graphics card adding depth to almost every game.

The disadvantage has been that I mostly like to play RPGs and not too many of those support 3D at the moment – I can’t find any that do so for the PS3!

I didn’t really buy the TV to watch movies by the way. I have seen some 3D on Youtube and the TV came with a 3D movie, but I am a movie buff and usually end up watching movies in theaters rather than waiting for a Blu-Ray

I’m still waiting for 3d to be more affordable and hope it stays popular. I really don’t have a problem with glasses as I have to wear a pair when playing games anyway. The only worry I have is that I can’t focus on detail in 3d and colours seem muted, but I’m sure the technology will improve. Id also like a game that needs a move controller strapped to head so we can experience that holographic effect, for years I’ve tried leaning to look round corners in games anyway.