PlayStation 3 in 3D impressions: almost, but not quite
By Paul Miller 
posted June 16th 2010 7:41PM
posted June 16th 2010 7:41PM
The Killzone 3 gameplay demo we saw yesterday at Sony's presser was really the pinnacle of what we've seen for 3D gaming. Formula: take one of the best-looking games on any system ever and put it in 3D. We were thrilled to try it out on the show floor, but unfortunately we're not so sure it lives up to its self-produced hype. The big problem is that the game runs at a seriously reduced resolution in order to compensate for the doubled framerate of 3D. All the assists and art direction still shine, and the game still looks pretty good, but there are tons of "jaggies," and you notice the lost fidelity every time you get a glimpse of the game running in 2D.
There's also the problem dimming caused by the shutter glasses (possibly exacerbated by the show lights we were playing under), which makes some of the darker or more cluttered scenes seem muddy and difficult to discern. But, it's still great playing in 3D. The sense of space is really tangible, and we had none of the problems we anticipated of not knowing where to focus our eyes. Big scenes felt bigger, danger felt more immediate, and we really see the advantage of 3D for first-person shooters. Unfortunately, while the technical execution remains lacking, it's hard to see using 3D for anything but the most casual of sessions: for an extended playthrough or competitive multiplayer, 2D is a must. On a more positive note, Sony says that they're working on getting the resolution to match (or appear to match) to 2D gameplay in 3D mode, so perhaps this game will get better with time (it's in pre-alpha currently), but we'll have to wait and see.
One of the much better looking games we saw was MLB 10 The Show. It looked to be playing at a much higher resolution, and with the higher quality graphics that the relative simplicity of baseball games have always enabled. Also, the cleanness of the field made the screen dimness not as much of an issue, and there really is a benefit to 3D during hitting... can you imagine that? An actual practical use for all these graphical shenanigans?
We also spotted Wipeout HD in all its smooth, high resolution 3D glory, along with a few other titles, but they're all a variation on the same theme: if a game is capable of being played in 1080p at a high frame rate in 2D, then the 3D version will do much better than a game that was already struggling to chug along at 720p (like MotorStorm, for instance). If developers can't manage to squeeze much more power out of the system, we might be waiting until the next generation of consoles for truly premiere 3D experiences, but hopefully games like Killzone and MotorStorm can bump up their resolution and redeem themselves before launch.
Regarding stereoscopic 3D in general, here is the main problem:
-> When rendering the two "3D" images, the game designer (or movie director) must decide upon the distance of convergence in the scene. This is the point at which rays starting from eye virtual eye/camera and going through the middle of each image intersects. This corresponds to the same thing with your physical eyeballs: when you look at something far away, your eyes are nearly parallel; when looking at something inches in front of you, they are cross-eyed.
-> When you look at a stereoscopic 3D scene, you have to cross your eyes just the right amount to match what is drawn. When you try to focus on an object that's at the distance of convergence, it is easy. When you try to look at something that's further away or nearer than that, it requires effort, since your eyes naturally want to cross more to look at something closer or less to look at something farther away. However, doing that doesn't work with stereoscopic 3D; you have to maintain the same convergence with your eyeballs, and this is uncomfortable because it is unnatural. (There's also the same problem with your eye's lens focus/accommodation.)
-> So if the gameplay or movie makes you want to look around at different depths, then it will be uncomfortable to view (until you get used to looking at things in the "wrong" way). If you always tend to look at what the designer intended you to look at, then it will be fine.
-> Game designers / movie directors will take some time to learn this. Stereoscopic 3D just won't work well for some things.
With most TVs being able to produce far more brightness than you should have, are they really not capable of delivering enough brightness for 3D? I think the show room lights are a big part of your problem.
I played on this almost a year ago at TGS. I'd had enough after a few mins - and I'm a real gamer!
I think it's awesome that Sony released 3d, but ignored all the DLP owners out there with 3D ready TV's by not detecting and displaying checkerboard pattern 3d devices. Good move to try and get people to adopt 3d!
Aliens do exist. They're just waiting for Chuck Norris to die before they attack.
Wake me up when I can watch a 3D tv without having to wear the glasses.
why the hell would you spend money on that crap when those games are already made in 3D?!!!! We perceive in 3D, at least I do. We see depth and all that shit. what a gimmick to increase sells.
@jon 3D Blu-Ray movies running on a PS3 Fat?
hdmi.org yanked their 1.3a spec download a while back, but according to Silicon Image's paper, 1080p @ 120Hz is specifically supported (and 720p @ 240Hz). This isn't flagged as a 3D signal specifically, but the TV can interpret it as such and the hardware is clearly capable.
I'd agree that the PS3's GPU isn't up to the task of doing 1080p @ 120Hz and actually looking nice at the same time. But that's the hook for the next-gen consoles, isn't it?
If I have to wear glasses to watch tv (or play console games), I want the tv IN the glasses.
gimmick and no sony is not doing ti for free.
This current generation is not design with 3D in mind, I hope next-gen console will do better.
My biggest issue with 3D is folks that wears glasses with high stigma. I.e blind as a bat. I am one of them. Every time I pick up a 3D glasses, I don't see what everyone is seeing. I see 3D, but not as well as the rest of them. When I take my glasses off; from what I can see without glasses; some pretty good 3D. This leads me to believe that a special 3D glasses for folks that wear glasses needs to be made.
I will start the push.
I've heard some people say the 3D on the 3DS really pops like nothing they've seen because there is no dimming from glasses. Perhaps the tech for 3D on TVs is just not ready yet for the mass market.
nah i will stick to 2d thanks i cant even watch 3d movies in the cinema becauuse causes bad head and sore eyes plus im not sittiing in my living room with sill glasses on for noone
lets wait to see what happens with the glasses free 3D tvs that are coming out
The lower resolution thing is really a bummer, but the dimming has nothing to do with the PS3!
Maybe the author should have skipped this point in the article, and then included it in another article about technologies for 3D screens?
Anyway, I wonder if they would be able to offer the option to reduce details and effects, instead of reducing the resolution, just like in PC games.
so it needs a lower resolution to play 3D? how will that affect GT5?
Try playing it on a NON SONY screen! Specifically, try the PS3 in 3D on a Panasonic VT25 series set! From everything else I have been reading, Sony's performance in 3D (from their television sets) has been sub par compared to the competition. Obviously, at E3 or any other trade show, Sony will be showing the PS3 with their own Bravia sets. Fortunately, the PS3 is compatible with ANY 3D set, not just Sony's.
wow, i have a totally different point of view. I was lucky enough to also demo Sony's 3D TV, having a look at some blu-ray titles, and Motorstorm a few weeks ago, and i was blown away. (some videos here http://www.theborgcollectives.com/2010/05/sony-3d-tv-demo-in-manila.html)
I am a BIG skeptic of 3D, because i get dizzy easily and i don't like the dimming effect. I even dislike the new Samsung 3D tv's that just came out, but this is the time, in the case of Sony, i have to say it was done RIGHT.
Wear contacts?
That must be annoying for those who are watching people playing or waiting for their turn lol
I don't enjoy 3D movie.. may be 3D games are better..