3D Gaming Is Totally Underrated (3DS, PS3, PC, 360)

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By Neal "NeoMahi" Evans

There is a time wherever master genius may roam that something innovative or unique might surface and so many look upon it and scoff or tramp it below their feet or say things of it before they really ever get any hands on experience with that innovation (of technology) simply because its what they've heard from others (maybe whom haven't even tried the technology for themselves) or theories they hypothesize themselves while really, technology is something that should always be embraced with an open mind and given its fare share of light. If then, its something that just doesn't jive well then, we get that.

3D technology has been around for quite some time and has really evolved in as many years. We've seen this technology used in about as many ways as well. Everything from the Crayola displays seen at stores to movie theaters adopting this technology throughout the country and even into your own home in your own home theater room. But, its my opinion that today's 3D technology is so under appreciated and could likely be that those whom claim themselves as tech enthusiasts understand it while those whom aren't may not get it.

The fact however, that as many theaters throughout the world have been adopting this technology does say quite a bit. Its a testament to the nature of this technology capturing the curiosity of its viewers and even more so a continually growing technology. While the first film that I can remember using 3D in theaters was 'My Bloody Valentine 3D,' I can remember 3D really popping up and talked about with the release of Henry Selicks 'Coraline' and even then, wasn't anything compared to the release of James Cameron's 'Avatar.' Since then, 3D has been everywhere and it can possibly hang its hat.

Sony Computer Entertainment America CEO Jack Tretton has once stated he'd had a conversation with Hollywood Director Steven Spielberg (Jurassic Park, Schindler's List, Saving Private Ryan), whom is currently in the process of developing 'The Adventures of Tin Tin, was asked about 3D in the film industry. Spielberg's response to Tretton's inquiry as, as to the success of 3D, was simply, "Oh, this is a technology that we both (gaming industry, film industry) have to really work together on."

Within the gaming industry, Sony Corporation have really gone after this tech have created 'Stereoscopic 3D' for the gaming experience and have been aggressively marketing the technology since, much like their push for the blu-ray format. Nintendo have seemed to really press that technology for a good while but, have seemed to become a little more passive over the last while mentioning they will develop games that don't really have to use that 3D whereas Sony are implementing 3D at whichever opportunity may present itself.

So where have Microsoft been over the last while with 3D then? Many suggest that Microsoft have been extremely leary of the technology doubting its success while others suggest Microsoft simply just set aside that technology for a while in order to focus more on pushing their Kinect hardware as something moreso they could control whereas Sony are hardware manufactures and have the luxury of developing technology on an entirely different level versus Microsoft who are primarily software manufactures and contract their hardware development to others. While many have said that Microsoft simply does what they do best, sit back and watch what others do and invest their time and resources into mass marketing and advertising and Microsoft then comes in and goes about their business. (The Apple v. Microsoft Complex)

At the end of the day, 3D technology is just about everywhere. Samsung, Panasonic and Sony Corporation all have their 'Active Shutter Stereoscopic' displays as Vizio have gone the route of 'Passive 3D' as a means of keeping the cost down for consumers while the gaming industry namely Sony Computer Entertainments PlayStation 3, Nintendo's 3DS, using glasses free 3D solution, and Microsoft's newly further adopted acceptance of 3D seem to have become more accepted, though Microsoft still continues to focus on their Kinect hardware.

The bottom line however, is what 3D gaming brings to the table. We understand 3D technology is still pretty expensive but, as we speak much like HDTV displays, are rapidly dropping in price as more and more 3D displays work themselves into the living room. While film industry companies like Paramount, 20th Century Fox and Disney work to bring a stellar 3D experience to the theaters as a means of introducing 3D movies for a less expensive movie ticket, Sony and Nintendo continue to drive the gaming industry with Sony especially working to bring the cost down on 3DTV's permitting more gamers to invest in the new technology as a more reasonable price bringing a totally different experience to the table. Playing games like Resistance 3, Killzone 3, Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One, God of War Origins and the upcoming Uncharted 3: Drakes Deception on the PlayStation 3 with games like Street Fighter IV, Pilotwings Resort, MGS 3D and StarFox 64 3D as well as Microsoft finally jumping in the ring with their newly released Gears of War 3, the gaming experience really is something to behold. Its true, and admittedly by Epic Games themselves stating that the 3D for Gears of War on the 360 isn't the greatest at the moment, and from out personal experience getting 3D to work on a TV other than a Samsung vs the PS3's auto detection of 3D content saving the hassle of having to set your TV, Microsoft are currently working on furthering their 3D development tools, 3D brings such a unique experience.

For example, lets take Uncharted 3: Drakes Deception which Naughty Dog have promised, and we don't doubt really shows what 3D gaming can do on consoles, allows the player to gage depth and distance, which we can verify. It definitely makes targeting much easier while you still get that pop off screen. I've had so many ask "Well, I don't see much with 3D." Well, these are those that are new to the tech. Though you really do get that pop, especially as I've seen with Gears of War 3 during its cutscenes, 3D is moreso about depth. That feeling of looking at your TV like looking through a window and the depth you get, which don't get me wrong, there's still plenty of pop, that's a big part of the 3D experience. It really just changes the way we play games.

So, I beg of you, before you pass judgment of 3D, really sit down and give it the light of day. Give it a chance to strut its stuff. Its true, glasses are needed, unless playing a 3DS, but there are the benefits of them vs glasses free. As mentioned earlier, the cost for 3D displays are coming down and more content is available. If you're using a PS3 as your Blu-ray player, the PlayStation Store has several downloadable HD 3D movies to download and check out as well. Like the PlayStation 3, that many had heard bad things including me and avoided it like the plague, had later realized, including me, that the things they'd heard about the PS3 weren't necessarily true and the source they'd heard from had never played on themselves and that individual heard things from another whom hadn't played one started a chain reaction but, this indivdual gave it a chance and gave it time to show what it could do, the perception changed and found the experience more enjoyable. 3D is definitely no different. Its an underrated technology that really has the potential to change your gaming experience in a much bigger way that the first perceived 'gimmick.' So, if you can, give it a shot.