Rustlers GameSafe

Many believe that 3D will hit the mass market in 2010 and firmly cement itself as a ‘must have’ in the home. Certainly all the pointers suggest that this time it looks like 3D is here to stay and not just a passing fad. All the talk from CES back in January was about one thing – 3D. Later that month we witnessed the first live 3D sports broadcast in the Premiership clash between Manchester United and Arsenal. If that wasn’t enough, Sky confirmed its backing of the technology with the launch of a dedicated 3D channel last Saturday (3rd April). Already over a thousand pubs and clubs in the UK and Ireland have signed up to the service. Over the pond this week viewers with the necessary technology will be watching Tiger Woods’s much hyped comeback with Comcast broadcasting the Masters in 3D. Let’s not forget too that little known film Avatar in December last year that even put talk of the weather on hold for a few weeks as the nation got swept up in 3D hysteria.

With the unveiling of the first full LED 3D HDTV are we going to see 3D gaming go beyond just the PC gaming market? There’s no doubt where Sony stand on 3D with plans to ‘lead the way in viewing experiences in 2010’ by developing 3D compatibility into many of its products – TV, Blu-ray, VAIO and now PS3 in 3D is apparently ‘ready to play’. Indeed in Sony’s latest episode of Qore released last Thursday it confirmed 6 first-party titles that will support 3D gaming by the end of 2010. Included on this list was the much anticipated Gran Turismo 5! All you need is a compatible TV, glasses and a firmware update that will allow your PS3 to be transformed into 3D.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mu_FLIXxN_I

Excitement soon turned to confusion days later when Sony quickly backtracked saying that the video was only intended to demonstrate the capabilities of the PS3:

“We apologize for the erroneous inference that 3D versions of LBP, Wipeout HD, Killzone 2, Gran Turismo 5 or Super Stardust HD are in production.”

An April Fools’ perhaps?

3D technology is very much in its infancy and until this is proven it is understandable why the likes of Microsoft and Nintendo are still sceptical about ploughing huge wads of crisp ones into 3D. Developers too with an anticipated rise in costs of between 10-15% added to the launch of a game in order to make it specifically for 3D. But more importantly is this what the consumer wants?

That said it seems implausible that film, DVD and TV will all embrace 3D and leave behind the forward-thinking gaming industry. Surely this is the future of gaming. Let us know your views – 3D or not 3D?