If you're anything like us (read: too poor to afford a 3DTV), you've been hoping secretly that 3D would just go away and stop reminding you of that whole totally awesome dimension from which you've been excluded. If that's the way of things, Sony's showing no sympathy : The company says that over 50 3D games are in development for the PS3, 20 internally at Sony alone.
As SCEE studio director Mick Hocking told Develop: "Overall we have more than fifty titles currently being converted into 3D, and this number if growing fast. Some of them are massive names. That's a really, really good sign that the industry is behind our unique message that 3D is a key element in the future of home consoles."
It's an impressive figure, and it doesn't require as much of a sacrifice as you might think. Hocking also told Develop that adding 3D to game exacts a two-percent increase in production cost and time. That's compared to five percent from "sweet explosions" and a full seven percent from "well-rendered bleeding buttholes."
Reader Comments (109)
Posted: Nov 23rd 2010 11:11AM The Tim said
Geez that image made me blink to clear my contacts
Posted: Nov 23rd 2010 11:15AM MLC said
I kinda want a 3DTV for Killzone 3 and MK. I rather wait and see how everything goes first.
Then if its something worth it, I'll gladly take the 3D plunge.
Then if its something worth it, I'll gladly take the 3D plunge.
Posted: Nov 23rd 2010 11:15AM mbarriault said
2% increase in development time, 100% increase in rendering time.
Posted: Nov 23rd 2010 1:15PM Chibi Chaingun said
@mbarriault
That's false. The textures and scene geometry are already in memory not to mention many other things that don't have to be calculated twice for the other view like physics for example. I have NVIDIA 3D Vision and performance hit is about 40-45%, as it is with most other users, and most of the games aren't even designed for 3D at all. A lot of these titles are being developed for 3D from the ground up.
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That's false. The textures and scene geometry are already in memory not to mention many other things that don't have to be calculated twice for the other view like physics for example. I have NVIDIA 3D Vision and performance hit is about 40-45%, as it is with most other users, and most of the games aren't even designed for 3D at all. A lot of these titles are being developed for 3D from the ground up.
Posted: Nov 23rd 2010 11:19AM Hunter2223 said
I've already got a 3d ready TV but find the $3-400 cost of entry for the starter kit to bee too high for something I'd only use for gaming.
Posted: Nov 23rd 2010 11:24AM Misfit Toy said
@Hunter2223
Most 3DTVs are being offered with a starter kit (and a 3D blu-ray player) with multiple 3D glasses. Although pretty much all tvs will have at least one pair - which is all you need for the single player games.
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Most 3DTVs are being offered with a starter kit (and a 3D blu-ray player) with multiple 3D glasses. Although pretty much all tvs will have at least one pair - which is all you need for the single player games.
Posted: Nov 23rd 2010 12:05PM Hunter2223 said
@Misfit Toy
So instead of paying $3-400 for a starter kit for my existing 3D ready tv I should go and spend $1500-2000 for a new Tv so I can get a free starter kit and blu-ray player?
That works great!
Reply
So instead of paying $3-400 for a starter kit for my existing 3D ready tv I should go and spend $1500-2000 for a new Tv so I can get a free starter kit and blu-ray player?
That works great!
Posted: Nov 23rd 2010 12:48PM Misfit Toy said
@Hunter2223
For the person who is looking to buy - yes. For you - no.
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For the person who is looking to buy - yes. For you - no.
Posted: Nov 23rd 2010 1:18PM Chibi Chaingun said
@Hunter2223
The point is that most 3DTVs out now come with a 3D kit and I'm sure that is going to become more likely as companies get more competitive. But I feel your pain, I have a 3D projector that only cost $400 new and two pairs of glasses (I'm using nVidia 3D Vision) cost about $300.
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The point is that most 3DTVs out now come with a 3D kit and I'm sure that is going to become more likely as companies get more competitive. But I feel your pain, I have a 3D projector that only cost $400 new and two pairs of glasses (I'm using nVidia 3D Vision) cost about $300.
Posted: Nov 23rd 2010 11:21AM DazGenetic said
Can't wait. Since I was just in the market for a new TV, I made sure I got one with 3D as I'm not really in the habit of buying a new set regularly. WipEout in 3D is an amazing experience, and I'm looking forward to which other franchises jump on board.
*Crosses fingers for Uncharted 3*
*Crosses fingers for Uncharted 3*
Posted: Nov 23rd 2010 11:27AM Misfit Toy said
@DazGenetic
Wipeout is good, but I think MotorStorm: Pacific Rift is really impressive. Make sure to not get the retail game though. The 3D levels are all through PSN for $10 as a standalone product.
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Wipeout is good, but I think MotorStorm: Pacific Rift is really impressive. Make sure to not get the retail game though. The 3D levels are all through PSN for $10 as a standalone product.
Posted: Nov 23rd 2010 11:37AM criminolelawyer said
@Misfit Toy wait, so you don't have to own the retail game at all to play these levels in 3d?! Consider me sold
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Posted: Nov 23rd 2010 11:56AM DazGenetic said
@Misfit Toy I already tried the 3D Rift demo and it's pretty good, but I prefer WipEout. I think it's something to do with the scale. The 3D effect makes the Motorstorm cars look like toys.
The one reason I prefer 3D gaming to 3D movies is due to the fact that the effect can be customized to your screen. When a 3D movie is downsized from the big screen to a 50" set, the 3D effects seem to get squashed along with it (especially with movies that saw an IMAX 3D release). However in gaming, if you assume that your gamer is sitting roughly 6-8 feet from the TV, you can use their screen size measurements to maximize the depth and really take advantage of the full effect.
I did find that almost all of the games currently default to having the 3D effect turned down to 10%.. Crank this value up if you are underwhelmed by the 3D-ness.
Reply
The one reason I prefer 3D gaming to 3D movies is due to the fact that the effect can be customized to your screen. When a 3D movie is downsized from the big screen to a 50" set, the 3D effects seem to get squashed along with it (especially with movies that saw an IMAX 3D release). However in gaming, if you assume that your gamer is sitting roughly 6-8 feet from the TV, you can use their screen size measurements to maximize the depth and really take advantage of the full effect.
I did find that almost all of the games currently default to having the 3D effect turned down to 10%.. Crank this value up if you are underwhelmed by the 3D-ness.
Posted: Nov 23rd 2010 12:52PM Misfit Toy said
@criminolelawyer
Yes criminole, there is a demo version in 3D but there is also a full game to be purchased (downloaded) as well. Its basically a number of levels pulled from the retail disc and 3D-afied. PSN download only. My retail disc doesn't even utilize 3D. No patches. Nothing.
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Yes criminole, there is a demo version in 3D but there is also a full game to be purchased (downloaded) as well. Its basically a number of levels pulled from the retail disc and 3D-afied. PSN download only. My retail disc doesn't even utilize 3D. No patches. Nothing.
Posted: Nov 23rd 2010 1:24PM Chibi Chaingun said
@DazGenetic
3D games completely and utterly pwn 3D movies. Avatar the game, while not a spectacular game in itself, had infinitely better 3D than the movie... and I think that's saying a lot since the movie was "done right".
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3D games completely and utterly pwn 3D movies. Avatar the game, while not a spectacular game in itself, had infinitely better 3D than the movie... and I think that's saying a lot since the movie was "done right".
Posted: Nov 23rd 2010 11:23AM chuckharms said
Sony really wants to sell their TV's...
Posted: Nov 23rd 2010 11:24AM BananaBoat said
Please....please not The Last Guardian, unless Fumito Ueda specifically requested it. If Sony forces 3D into the game, who knows what will have to get cut due to time restraints or hardware restraints.
Also, I hope he doesn't want to do it, because I really don't want to buy a new TV.
Also, I hope he doesn't want to do it, because I really don't want to buy a new TV.
Posted: Nov 23rd 2010 4:53PM Da Largest said
@BananaBoat
"adding 3D to game exacts a two-percent increase in production cost and time"
This is in the article.
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"adding 3D to game exacts a two-percent increase in production cost and time"
This is in the article.
Posted: Nov 23rd 2010 10:30PM BananaBoat said
@Da Largest - That is a disingenuous quote at best. Adding 3D means doubling the strain on the hardware. If you start off from the beginning of a project...maybe you can squeak by with 3D only accounting for five or ten percent of the overall time and cost. Try to shoehorn it in though? We're talking about a massive overhaul to get a game to function at double the previous framerate, plus the time it would take to fix the camera, HUD, and everything else.
Unless Team Ico started The Last Guardian with 3D in mind, I'd rather not see it in the game. I'd much rather the time and effort (and money) be spent on polish, not getting a tacked on feature working properly.
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Unless Team Ico started The Last Guardian with 3D in mind, I'd rather not see it in the game. I'd much rather the time and effort (and money) be spent on polish, not getting a tacked on feature working properly.
Posted: Nov 23rd 2010 11:24AM Ellimem said
None of this would be happening if a gazillion people didn't go see that piece of shit Avatar.
Posted: Nov 23rd 2010 11:59AM Jack Kevorkian said
@Ellimem What James Cameron touches? He destroys.
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Posted: Nov 23rd 2010 1:18PM oO Wallace Oo said
@Jack Kevorkian
I thought the Iceberg destroyed the Titanic
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I thought the Iceberg destroyed the Titanic
Posted: Nov 23rd 2010 1:29PM Chibi Chaingun said
@Danthaman
I think it's because most people loved it for its effects and atmosphere but don't deny it was a retelling of a classic tale.
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I think it's because most people loved it for its effects and atmosphere but don't deny it was a retelling of a classic tale.
Posted: Nov 23rd 2010 4:46PM golfs4panzys said
@Ellimem
Avatar didn't make 3D. 3D made Avatar.
Reply
Avatar didn't make 3D. 3D made Avatar.
Posted: Nov 23rd 2010 4:46PM golfs4panzys said
@Ellimem
Avatar didn't make 3D. 3D made Avatar.
Reply
Avatar didn't make 3D. 3D made Avatar.
Posted: Nov 23rd 2010 11:24AM Angel Mass said
God of War IIID
Posted: Nov 23rd 2010 11:27AM Co said
"3D is a key element in the future of home consoles"
False.
False.
Posted: Nov 23rd 2010 1:15PM sonicspike41 said
@Co
Because 3D is only cool when it's done on a portable, right?
Accept it. Just like HD, soon the majority of all new TVs will be 3D ready. It might be several years before they reach a majority of homes, but eventually it's bound to happen.
Reply
Because 3D is only cool when it's done on a portable, right?
Accept it. Just like HD, soon the majority of all new TVs will be 3D ready. It might be several years before they reach a majority of homes, but eventually it's bound to happen.
Posted: Nov 23rd 2010 11:34AM glamajamma said
I checked out 3d at the Sony store. It was the Monster vs Aliens or Bolt. I can't remember.
It was not impressive.
It was not impressive.
Posted: Nov 23rd 2010 3:10PM Crunktastic said
@glamajamma
Try watching some sports highlights if you can find some. Soccer and Football are SO COOL to watch in 3D compared to those animated movies. You can watch the football go through the gridirons without going "did that go through or not? I can't quite tell from this angle." :)
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Try watching some sports highlights if you can find some. Soccer and Football are SO COOL to watch in 3D compared to those animated movies. You can watch the football go through the gridirons without going "did that go through or not? I can't quite tell from this angle." :)
Posted: Nov 23rd 2010 4:58PM golfs4panzys said
@glamajamma
Or try playing a game in 3D. Motor Storm and Killzone 3 are both excellent in 3D!
Reply
Or try playing a game in 3D. Motor Storm and Killzone 3 are both excellent in 3D!
Posted: Nov 23rd 2010 11:35AM Cube said
I wish 3DTV would go away until they make decently-priced glasses-free 3DTVs.
Posted: Nov 23rd 2010 11:42AM Mach2 said
I wish reality were in 3D. That would be the best.
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