Gaming Goes 3D

The 3D Revolution Continues...

Written By: Harold Schossman

03-15-2011

It has been well over a year since the massively successful "Avatar" revolutionized 3D technology and subsequently changed the gaming industry in the process. But the revolution has only just begun. While Hollywood lavished upon us cheap 3D conversions throughout most of 2010, and almost killed the trend before it took off, video game companies realized the technology’s true potential and embraced 3D in a number of different ways.

Sony was quick to upgrade its Playstation 3 with 3D capability and the result is pretty good. The setback is the need to upgrade to a 3D TV screen and the necessity to wear 3D glasses to enjoy the effect. I think playing PS3 titles in 3D is good fun but the flickering glasses still somewhat detract from the experience. Unfortunately the flickering is a necessary evil, as it is required to correctly display the two images for each eye thus creating the 3D illusion.

Nintendo has come up with a unique solution in their approach to 3D gaming. The highly anticipated Nintendo 3DS is able to present a beautiful 3D image without the need for glasses at all! The effect is utterly stunning and doesn’t sacrifice quality, as the colors are vibrant and bright with crystal clear focus. The device even comes with a slider that allows you to increase or decrease the 3D effect. Why is that so important? Well studies have indeed shown that there are people out there who cannot handle 3D. They have difficulties seeing it and it eventually makes them nauseous. I think it’s great that a company like Nintendo considers the needs of consumers and allows the gamer the choice just how much 3D they want for themselves.

Microsoft has announced that the X-Box 360 is easily capable of handling 3D but for now they have chosen to stand back and see how technology evolves to then offer their customers the perfect 3D platform. Word is they definitely plan to go 3D it’s just a question of when and how.

Its true that 3rd party developers have already released 3D content on both the Xbox 360 and the Wii. Warner Bros. Interactive released “Batman: Arkham Asylum Game of the Year Edition” back in 2010. The game makes use of old school 3D technology involving paper glasses with pink and green lenses. Not to be outdone, Majesco has unleashed the 3D Zombies in “Attack of the Movies 3D”. (Also available on Xbox 360.) While these games were no doubt valiant efforts they in no way represent the 3D quality that gamers and the big companies expect from the 3D revolution. Maybe this is why Microsoft remains tight lipped about their plans for the 3D future?

Microsoft’s prudence is probably well placed as the motion picture industry also heavily impacts on home entertainment technology. After the release of "Avatar," 3D movies have had a difficult childhood. It quickly turned out director James Cameron was far ahead of the industry in his understanding of 3D technology. Everyone else has just been running to catch up. Fortunately the advent of the new Red Epic camera has paved the way for easier 3D photography: Next year’s “The Amazing Spiderman” has just completed principal photography using that very 3D camera. Director of photography John Schwartzman is thrilled at both the image quality and the small versatile size of the 3D camera setup. The two Hobbit films are about to start production literally any day now using that very same camera configuration! Andrew Lesnie who gave The Lord of the Rings its unique look has been testing the cameras these past weeks with live 3D monitoring on the set. More and better 3D movies will eventually pave the way for a broader, more affordable range of 3D home equipment gamers will ultimately profit from this revolution.

The video game platforms are in fact setting possible trends for future motion picture production as well. With all the smooth 60 frames per second games out there director James Cameron he has publically advocated to change the current theatrical motion picture frame rate from the traditional 24fps to 48fps, which would be perfect for motion picture 3D. Why 48fps and not 60fps, which is used a lot in gaming, one might wonder - because 48fps allows for easy conversion to and from existing formats.

So there is a lot happening on the 3D front these days. The question is which 3D gaming format will triumph? Sony’s PS3 3D? Or will Nintendo’s “no glasses needed” 3D system revolutionize gameplay forever? Or perhaps Microsoft has some amazing new 3D wizardry up their sleeve which will completely baffle gamers across the globe. Whichever it’ll be we will see - in 3D!

About The Author: Harold Schossman is our International News Correspondent and our resident Expert Videographer. He has worked in the entertainment industry for almost two decades. Be sure to check out his outstanding video work on his YouTube account.

http://www.youtube.com/user/hdeditor