3D Gaming*

[grandmaster]

Motorstorm is a good example of "realistic" 3D in terms of depth perception though graphics have been dialled down a bit from the original game. Played it, liked the first person perspective, wasn't so keen on the third person. Sort of opposite to the usual game then.

Super Stardust HD is by far the best thing I've played in 3D (laggy screen aside) though the demo vid for GT5 looked brilliant.Now that was simply staggering, but it was only a video - though it showed in-game, cockpit view (amazing!) and replay (wow!)

 

[Afrikan]

Motorstorm is a good example of "realistic" 3D in terms of depth perception though graphics have been dialled down a bit from the original game. Played it, liked the first person perspective, wasn't so keen on the third person. Sort of opposite to the usual game then.

Super Stardust HD is by far the best thing I've played in 3D (laggy screen aside) though the demo vid for GT5 looked brilliant.Now that was simply staggering, but it was only a video - though it showed in-game, cockpit view (amazing!) and replay (wow!)

oh stop it please .....I'm kidding, tell us more...

I wish Sony never closed down the PlayStation & Sony Style Store here in San Francisco, I'd love to experience this myself.

Are these currently the only places to view these types of games in 3D?

our Local Best Buy has a 3D demo set up, but only for BluRay.

 

[patsu]

You can visit the one in Palo Alto. When I'm free on weekends, I take my son to the PinkBerries in Stanford Mall.

Motorstorm is a good example of "realistic" 3D in terms of depth perception though graphics have been dialled down a bit from the original game. Played it, liked the first person perspective, wasn't so keen on the third person. Sort of opposite to the usual game then.

Super Stardust HD is by far the best thing I've played in 3D (laggy screen aside) though the demo vid for GT5 looked brilliant.Now that was simply staggering, but it was only a video - though it showed in-game, cockpit view (amazing!) and replay (wow!)

Heh, how our tastes vary. Super Stardust's 3D effect was too intrusive for me. I think the screen I saw it on was too bright, I find it glaring.

I prefer MotorStorm's subdued 3D look better. It's very realistic, like playing in a mini-sandbox. I think I'll like LittleBigPlanet too.

 

[draconian]

What are the limitation and things to know for steroscopic 3d?

If the left and right images are aligned perfectly - no difference between pixels - than the resulting image has no depth.

If the left and right images are mis-aligned by say 400 pixels and assuming you are like 1 foot away from a laptop screen then I'd imagine the resulting image to be right at your face. So we have like 400 possible depth for stereoscopic 3d. 400 depth possibilities / 1 foot = 33.3 depth possibilities per inch.

Is there some way to increase that so we could have like twice as many depth possibilties? using 3d tricks and such anti-aliasing.

Basically, there seems to be a whole slew of vocabulary and ideas that come with stereoscopic 3d, what are they in respect to graphics.

 

[patsu]

Report: Top Rated Ads Indicate Consumer Interest in 3DTV:
http://www.homemediamagazine.com/3-d/report-top-rated-ads-indicate-consumer-interest-3dtv-18967

A Samsung Electronics ad for a new 3D LED television ranked No. 1 among the TV spots for creative effectiveness for the quarter ended March 31, according to a new report.

The ad, which scored 736 points out of a possible 950, including 759 points for persuasion and 677 points for watchability, beat out an advertising campaign for the Apple iPad, according to Ace Metrix, a Los Angeles-based media measurement company.

...

Not sure if the trend will sustain. If they are keen in 3D visuals, they may also be interested in augmented reality.

 

[MfA]

Augmented reality is fun for 5 seconds ... until we can actually do it with AR glasses which blend it seamlessly with our own vision rather than watching through some LCD screen it's just a gimmick.

 

[patsu]

Hmm... is this a widely held view amongst developers ? I noticed that there are more and more interesting AR iPhone apps.

SCEA is in the entertainment business. Gimmick/novelty is part and parcel of the new experiences. e.g., many will call Heavy Rain a gimmick, while fans would call it a breakthrough/game changer/whatever.

 

[MfA]

Are you trying to prove or disprove my point with the iPhone apps example?

It's just my view as a consumer.

 

[patsu]

I brought up the iPhone AR apps because the consumers are starting to get exposed to them. I haven't heard any major backlash yet. The home consoles will have to figure out whether augmented reality works for them (e.g., home automation & security, baby sitting assistant, etc.).

Anyway, this is not really 3DTV related. But it would be interesting to see whether 3DS has a camera.

 

[Danalys]

If the left and right images are aligned perfectly - no difference between pixels - than the resulting image has no depth.

If the left and right images are mis-aligned by say 400 pixels and assuming you are like 1 foot away from a laptop screen then I'd imagine the resulting image to be right at your face. So we have like 400 possible depth for stereoscopic 3d. 400 depth possibilities / 1 foot = 33.3 depth possibilities per inch.

Is there some way to increase that so we could have like twice as many depth possibilties? using 3d tricks and such anti-aliasing.

Basically, there seems to be a whole slew of vocabulary and ideas that come with stereoscopic 3d, what are they in respect to graphics.

Sub pixel differences, there aren't steps in the depth just as much as there aren't steps in a slow pan. Also the angle between the cameras views can increase or decrease the effect.

 

[patsu]

For film industry...

Sony announced 3D authoring suite for 3D Blu-ray:
http://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=4411

Blu-print 6

... the new features of Blu-print 6 will allow studios to author 3D content for the new 3D Blu-ray format standard Profile 5, import new MVC encoded streams, and work with Z Depth for 3D subtitle authoring. Designed for high volume professional production, the updated Blu-print 6 software will also include support for offset metadata integration required for 3D Presentation Graphics and 3D Interactive Graphics. ...

Z Depth Feature Highlights

The all-new Z Depth subtitle offset editing application uses the video power of Vegas Pro 9 to provide a combination that will allow 3D authoring companies to easily create required disparity metadata files for positioning of subtitles and IG menus in a 3D Blu-ray Disc production.

...

For selling 3D to consumers...

3D Plans for FIFA Detailed:
http://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=4410

A total of 25 matches will be filmed and broadcast in 3D, which will include a selection of those games expected to attract most public attention, including the opening game on June 11 between South Africa and Mexico plus another 14 matches from the first round; three matches from the second round; three matches from the quarter finals; the two semi finals; the third-place match; and the crowning final game, in Johannesburg on July 11.

...

In order to make this new 3D viewing experience available to as many football fans as possible, a dedicated global 3D public viewing project will debut at this year's FIFA World Cup. Eight matches will be fed live to digital cinemas and selected venues in 3D HD quality around the globe. To this end, FIFA has appointed Swiss-based Aruna Media AG to manage the exclusive 3D cinema and entertainment venue rights for live games in 3D. Aruna plans to broadcast live 3D coverage of matches to around 26 countries and is in advanced discussions with several major markets.

...

Complementing the 3D live broadcast and public viewing activities, the general public will also be able to exclusively enjoy the 3D promotional trailers shown on Sony 3D BRAVIA TVs in around 4,000 Sony-affiliated retail stores worldwide, including 200 Sony flagship stores (total number of Sony-affiliated retail stores: 1,500 in North America, 1,300 in Europe, 500 in Japan, 200 in Asia, 200 in Latin America, and 30 in South Africa). Furthermore, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment today unveiled plans to produce and distribute the official FIFA film in 3D on Blu-ray Disc this year.

 

[patsu]

Comcast started 3D Broadcast with The Masters Tournament:
http://www.comcast.com/Corporate/Programming/sports/3Dfaqs.html

Watch the 2010 Masters Tournament April 7 - 11 with Comcast. See below for channel details and times.

3D Viewing Requirements

To view the Masters in 3D (or any stereoscopic 3D content on the Comcast network) you must have the following equipment:

* A new “Full HD 3D” television
* The Television Manufacturer’s Specified Stereoscopic 3D Glasses (for each viewer)
* Comcast Digital TV with HD service
* Comcast HD capable set-top box
* HDMI cable connection from set-top box to TV
And don't forget!

* Remember to set your HD 3D TV to “3D mode” (check your TV's manual)
* When in 3D mode, the guide will not render properly
* Your 3D glasses may have batteries in them. Please make sure they're good and your glasses are turned on

 

[patsu]

http://www.andriasang.com/e/blog/2010/04/11/mt_framework_3d/

Towards the end of the speech, Hamamura spoke a bit about 3D technology. Sony is, of course, already working on 3D-ready PlayStation 3 games, he said. But 3rd parties aren't being left behind.

Capcom appears to be ahead of the game here. The company's MT Framework game engine, which powers games like Resident Evil 5 and Lost Planet, is 3D compatible, said Hamamura. Resident Evil 5 was already 3D-ready back when it was in development. Lost Planet 2's development version is also 3D-ready.

Hamamura's comments probably shouldn't be taken to mean that RE5 and LP2 will be upgraded to official 3D compatibility at some point. But the technology does seem to be in place. In fact, the point of Hamamura's comments on 3D tech was that it's not too difficult for developers to make their games 3D compatible. "It's possible that the game you were playing will one day suddenly become 3D just because you changed your TV," he said.

He also has a 3DS tip in the article.

 

[makattack]

3D Disclaimers

http://kotaku.com/5515718/3d-tv-sets-arent-great-for-drinkers-kids-pregnant-women-or-the-elderly

Now, just imagine a TV announcer reading the following at 100 WPMs:

"Children and teenagers may be more susceptible to health issues associated with viewing in 3D and should be closely supervised when viewing these images. Children under the age of six should not view 3D TV."

"Pregnant women, the elderly, sufferers of serious medical conditions, those who are sleep deprived or under the influence of alcohol should avoid utilising the unit's 3D functionality."

"Viewing 3D television may also cause motion sickness, perceptual after effects, disorientation, eye strain and decreased postural stability. It is recommended that users take frequent breaks to lessen the potential of these effects. If your eyes show signs of fatigue or dryness or if you have any of the above symptoms, immediately discontinue use of this device and do not resume using it for at least thirty minutes after the symptoms have subsided."

"Watching TV while wearing 3D glasses for an extended period of time may cause a headache or fatigue. If you experience a headache, fatigue or dizziness, stop viewing TV and rest."

 

[ban25]

oh stop it please .....I'm kidding, tell us more...

I wish Sony never closed down the PlayStation & Sony Style Store here in San Francisco, I'd love to experience this myself.

Are these currently the only places to view these types of games in 3D?

our Local Best Buy has a 3D demo set up, but only for BluRay.

The old Playstation store is now a dress shop! It's the end of an era...

 

[Shifty Geezer]

http://kotaku.com/5515718/3d-tv-sets-arent-great-for-drinkers-kids-pregnant-women-or-the-elderly

"Watching TV while wearing 3D glasses for an extended period of time may cause a headache or fatigue. If you experience a headache, fatigue or dizziness, stop viewing TV and rest."

Well we get this same disclaimer on the game we play now. How many of us stop every hour for a 15 miutnute break? How exactly is 3D TV going to mess about with an unborn baby such that pregnant mums are supposed to avoid it?

Any health risks need to be properly investigated and communicated. I can definitely see a case for use by children who's eyes are developing, but broad sue-prevention measures aren't really much to go on.

 

[Arwin]

To me it looks like the typical 'disclaim anything you're not 110% certain about' that U.S. litigation practices have inspired in the last decades ... ?

 

[Crossbar]

Sony is releasing a few 3D games together with the release of their first 3D TV in June.

The games will be Wipeout HD, Motorstorm: Pacific Rift, PAIN and Super Stardust HD, which will be made available to early adopters - either in full or, in the case of MotorStorm, as a single level demo - as part of the HX803 package.

Didn´t know Pain was getting a 3D patch, but I expect it could work pretty well.

 

[patsu]

To me it looks like the typical 'disclaim anything you're not 110% certain about' that U.S. litigation practices have inspired in the last decades ... ?

Yap, Samsung released 3DTV advertisements together with the disclaimer. If it's a health hazard to the general public, they wouldn't bother to invest in 3D products, let alone advertise it:

Official:

Viral (Masterpieces in 3D): http://www.mixx.com/videos/13015754/youtube_masterpieces_in_3d

 

[Shifty Geezer]

Yap, Samsung released 3DTV advertisements together with the disclaimer. If it's a health hazard to the general public, they wouldn't bother to invest in 3D products, let alone advertise it:

That's a very trusting view I don't share! If 3D is a health hazard, Samsung wouldn't be the first company to knowingly brush risks under the carpet. And at this point without prolonged use studies, we can't say for sure.