3d gaming
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Nintendo 3DS review (Japanese)
It's been almost a year since Nintendo revealed the 3DS to the world, trotted it out at E3, held proudly by a flotilla of genetically-cloned and identically-dressed ladies. Of course we knew about it long before that, but when it comes to glasses-free 3D screens seeing is believing. After that first glimpse we were left intrigued by the technology, but we wouldn't say we were exactly believers. Now, after spending about a week living with one of Nintendo's $250 consoles, working with one, gaming with one, and practicing kana with one, we've seen the light. The fancy-pants screen works, but it only does so with a lot of caveats. %Gallery-118552%
Original Halo: CE to see a full HD (& 3D) remake on Xbox 360?
So far Microsoft's been pretty passive about jumping on 3D gaming, while several games on the Xbox 360 support it (NBA 2K11 after a patch last month, Call of Duty: Black Ops) there's no support in the system menus and not in any of its first party games, but that may be about to change. Our friends at Joystiq have learned that the remake of Halo: Combat Evolved they've been hearing about will ship this holiday season with new art assets ready for 1080p and 3DTVs. The biggest gameplay enhancement mentioned is online co-op, so we'd suggest calling your old college roommate and clearing a weekend or two around November 15th (the ten year anniversary of the release of the original game) just in case.
Nintendo 3DS could get 3D video recording in the future, James Cameron unavailable for comment
3D gaming is obviously the big story on the Nintendo 3DS, letting you get your depth on without even having to cross your eyes. However, 3D image taking is also a nice thing that the company has provided, adding a second VGA camera to the back so that you can take twice the low-res images at once and layer 'em together. However, Nintendo President Satoru Iwata has recently indicated he wants to do better, not confirming any specific plans, but saying in an interview: "I think it will be fun if we're able to include video recording capabilities with future updates." You know what we think would be fun? A battery that lasts more than eight hours.
Alleged Nintendo 3DS roams the wild, gets thoroughly dismantled
You had to expect that as the 3DS got closer to its global release, stray units would manage to break out of Nintendo's manufacturing fortress and dash out into the wild. We already saw one such escapee earlier this month and, if we're not terribly mistaken, that very same unit has now gone through the ritual of having its body disassembled for the sake of curious 3D gamers everywhere. There's little to thrill the superficial viewer -- we already knew about the 1300mAh battery, for example -- but maybe you'll care to scrutinize the silicon more closely. If so, the source link is your nearest and dearest friend. [Thanks, Adam]
Sony announces Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception with 3D support
Sony is serious about using videogames to push its 3D agenda, and the latest title it's announced to feature support is Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception. One of the top series on its PlayStation 3 console, it's not hard to figure out why this would join Killzone 3 and Gran Turismo 5 on the 3D shelf when it's released November 1st, 2011. Check out the trailer from the VGA's after the break and if you need more information, there should be some unveiled tonight on the Jimmy Fallon show.
Sony working on same-screen 3D multiplayer, holographics for PS3?
Don't go knockin' Sony for resting on its laurels. The company that has spearheaded the 3D gaming push (NVIDIA notwithstanding) is apparently not even close to finished, with SCEE studio director Mick Hocking taking the time to get our juices flowing in an interview with Develop. The full spill is quite lengthy, and definitely a solid read for those interested, but a few key nuggets jumped out at us. For starters, Mike confessed that Sony has "techniques like holographics for the PS3 that [he thinks] will be very interesting for the future 3D games," and continued with this: "In regards to that we have some new technology that we've shown to developers that uses 3D techniques, it allows two players to play full screen multi-player games but without each being able to see the others view, and they have been massively keen on them." Of course, such a technique isn't exactly new -- we saw prototypes of the sort in use back at GDC -- but bringing them to a market as vast as the PS3 owner pool would definitely be a monumental step. Now, if you'll excuse us, we've got a Gran Turismo 5 disc laying here that needs our undivided attention for the time being...
NBA 2K11 3D for PS3 launched as Best Buy timed exclusive today
Just when we thought we were getting out from under the spectre of exclusive 3D releases on Blu-ray we're hit with one from a very unexpected source in the form of an exclusive NBA 2K11 3D for PS3 SKU, available only at Best Buy. The only apparent difference in this version is its support for stereoscopic 3DTVs (not the first sports title this year to do it, Madden 2011 features anaglyph 3D on any TV with a code, but really, why try?), but for now you won't be able to get it anywhere else. Already have the game or plan on pick it up elsewhere? Expect a software update adding 3D to all PS3 versions (no cross-platform 3D for the Xbox 360 version on this one, leave that to Call of Duty: Black Ops and Crysis) in January according to Ron from 2KSports, for now enjoy the new trailer for the 3D version (embedded) and expect a post on the official PlayStation Blog.
Microsoft's Phil Spencer rains on Sony's 3D parade, thinks 3DS has potential
Is 3D gaming on the verge of completely revolutionizing your world? If you're a hardcore PlayStation fan, you might believe the answer to that question is "yes." However, given the recent DisplaySearch findings on 3DTV adoption, we're thinking more of you fall in with the leanings of Microsoft's Phil Spencer, who is making it clear that he isn't pushing the technology at this point: For better or for worse, people just don't really have TVs in their house right now that are going to do 3D in a way that's going to work... As a corporate mandate, I don't need to sell you a new TV, that's not part of my business model. Other companies maybe have that part of their business model. I don't. "Other companies," eh? Yeah, we think you can figure out who he's talking about there. Phil isn't just dishing up the Haterade, though, throwing props to Nintendo: "I like the 3DS, you don't have to wear the glasses."
Call of Duty: Black Ops adds 3D to its list of features on PC / PS3 / Xbox 360
3D gaming has been around on the PC for a while, and has become more prevalent on recent and upcoming releases for the PlayStation 3 since it's system update and Sony's overall 3D push, but now Call of Duty:Black Ops is adding to those lists and the significantly shorter list of 3D games for the Xbox 360. Our friends at Joystiq were among the outlets that got a chance to go hands on with the Xbox 360 version, which joins other 3D titles like last year's Avatar game and the upcoming Crysis from EA on the system, so check them out for first hand impressions. As far as the technical specs, 3D is only for HDMI-equipped Xbox 360s, and Activision's 3D FAQ points out that using the dashboard in 3D won't work properly since it hasn't been updated for that yet. Curiously, the Xbox 360 version uses side-by-side compressed frames for its 3D while the PS3 version is top-bottom like ESPN 3D. So far developer Treyarch hasn't shown off any other 3D editions so we'll have to wait until release to see if there's any noticeable difference but the only thing that's certain when it comes to Call of Duty is seeing Editor Emeritus Ryan Block stalking the Team Hardcore rooms round the clock.
Crazy, beautiful human being designs 3D raycaster engine for Arduino
Look, not everybody gets to be super smart. Some of us have to struggle along with our mediocre intellects and just bask in the glory of genius. Like this time: we ran into Adam Wolf at Maker Faire in New York, and while many burgeoning hackers were using their Arduino to flip LEDs on and off in vaguely interesting ways, Adam was showing off a 3D raycaster engine. It's like witnessing some sort of alternate history where Wolfenstein 3D came out for Atari first. Just to give you an idea of the technical challenge: half of the Arduino's memory is used up by the frame buffer alone! The game is controlled and displayed using the Video Game Shield Arduino add-on from Wayne and Layne (Adam is Wayne), which enables RCA video output and compatibility with Wii nunchucks for dual analog control. Adam actually plans to add enemies and make a full game out of his engine, just to rub it in. Need some visual proof to believe all this? Check out a video after the break. The Video Game Shield will be up for purchase on September 29 for around $22, or you can buy it at the Maker Faire this weekend. %Gallery-103290%
id's Todd Hollenshead: 3D gaming will probably have to wait
So there we were at the wedding last weekend -- our cousin Video Gaming and his fiancée 3D were all set to tie the knot, when Uncle Todd stood up at the rehearsal dinner table and said what most of us were thinking. "Maybe we're getting to the point," he said loudly while spilling a little champagne, "where the people who have been pushing 3D, or are pushing 3D now, have figured out a way to make it cool and not so nerdy that nobody wants to do it." The rest of the room gasped, gaming looked really confused, and 3D ran out the back door, her eyes filling with tears. Hollenshead had a point, though -- it's been a really quick romance, and while gaming's certainly attracted to 3D (who wouldn't be -- Avatar made her look super hot), the couple's definitely been pushed together by the two families. But maybe Uncle Todd was right when he said that the relationship "has to be more pervasive and more widely adopted before it makes sense for videogame development companies to invest." We talked it over with Video Gaming, and he agreed that maybe they should take it a little slower -- spend some more development time together, sell a few more solid titles and then we'd talk about an actual marriage. 3D was kind of bummed out by the whole thing, but everyone agreed that as much it would cost to lose the deposit on the reception hall, the cost of going through with a troubled marriage would be even worse. As Uncle Todd put it, "the TVs are f***ing expensive. Is there enough content to justify?"
Palm Pixi shows off 3D gaming chops with webOS 1.4.5 release (video)
What with all the "battery optimization" excitement, we nearly forgot that Sprint's new webOS 1.4.5 update doesn't just empower the Pre; it also finally brings PDK'd OpenGL and SDL support to the Palm Pixi. On the off chance you don't speak developer lingo, that's short for 3D apps and games, and as it turns out the pint-sized Pixi doesn't play the latter half-badly. PreCentral fired up a copy of Need For Speed: Undercover on the freshly-upgraded handset immediately above, and found the game perfectly playable with "decent" framerates and only slightly sub-par load times. Watch their spiffy Nissan turn tricks right after the break, and pray companies get cracking on some Unreal Engine 3 apps soon.
Sony restricts stereoscopic PS3 games to 720p 3D
Sorry, fellow gamers, we're out of luck if we want to play stereoscopic PS3 titles in their full high definition glory -- Joystiq reports that Sony guidelines won't allow for 1080p 3D. As we discovered in April, the goal is to run even native 1080p content at a lower 720p resolution when splitting the image in twain, allowing enough processing overhead for a smooth 60fps framerate and likely reducing eyestrain. Mind you, it's not like there are many occasions when you'd have cause to complain -- even in two dimensions, native 1080p titles on modern consoles are few and far between. Exempt from the specification are 3D Blu-ray movies, which run at a slower (but larger) 1080p24 by default, so rest assured that when you're being tortured with Clash of the Titans repeat viewings, you'll see every glorious detail.
Sony limiting use of 1080p 3D in PS3 games
Sony's official guidelines for 3D gaming on PS3 limit the displayed image to a resolution of 720p, a Sony representative confirmed at the Develop conference this week. Even games that run natively at 1080p resolution, like Super Stardust HD, are downscaled in 3D mode to two 720p images (one for each eye), Sony's Simon Benson explained during a demo of the technology at the conference. While the PS3 is capable of displaying a 1080p 3D image -- indeed, it will support 3D Blu-Ray movies at that resolution later this year -- Benson said upping the resolution comes at the expense of the silky-smooth 60 frames per second available at 720p (Blu-Ray movies run at 24 frames per second). Benson said that a "more cinematic game" might be well-suited for the lower frame rate and higher resolution, but that Sony's current guidelines for 3D games wouldn't allow for such a setting. The effects of this policy are probably unnoticeable to most gamers. Benson said that, in 3D, even trained computer graphics artists could barely tell the difference between the resolutions. Still, for all you pixel counters out there who obsess over "full HD 1080p," here's another bit of technical trivia for you to argue over.
Nintendo unlikely to significantly alter 3DS design before release
In an interview from this year's E3 that's only just been published, Nintendo 3DS platform producer Hideo Konno says that the upcoming handheld is in its "final shape." Reggie Fils-Aime, the company's leading North American voice, has more recently told us that, au contraire, the E3 consoles are not the final design, though parsing the two into one coherent message would suggest that Nintendo's just leaving itself room to make small changes if the need arises. Konno's chat with Wired also touches on the 3DS' screen size, with him suggesting the glasses-free stereoscopic effect could be taken all the way to the size of a TV but requires the user to be in a very precise position, which is what makes it unfeasible. Teased about potentially making a 3DS XL, the veteran game guru says Nintendo's sticking with the current form factor for portability's sake, but he clearly isn't closing the door on the idea if and when 3DS sales begin to wane. There's a lot more here, including discussion of the new handheld's analog nub and MotionPlus-like gyro and accelerator combo, so why not show the source link some love?
PS3 Terms of Service updated to reflect possible 3D health risks
Sony Online's Terms of Service was recently updated to warn users of the new dangers that PlayStation 3 poses to them and their loved ones: the harmful effects associated with prolonged viewing of a 3D display. The terms specify "discomfort (such as eye strain, eye fatigue or nausea)" as one of the unpleasant side effects. (Click past the jump to see the full cautionary addendum.) Additionally, the update warns parents of children under the age of six to consult a doctor before allowing them to play 3D games. Why? Because their tiny brains can't handle all the non-stop, in-your-face action that the extra dimension provides. (Also, because it's bad for their eyes, apparently.)
Sapphire makes multi-monitor 3D gaming a reality with a single video card
Multi-monitor gaming is hardly uncommon these days, but 3D gaming on the PC is, well, decidedly less common. Perhaps it will be the merging of the two immersive approaches that finally gets 3D going on the PC, and Sapphire is showing that it's possible. A single ATI-based Sapphire graphics card with Eyefinity support powered these three Zalman Trimon 3D displays, which use simple (and cheap) polarized glasses to make those boomers in Left4Dead really pop. No word on the overall cost of the system, but we'd hazard a guess it wouldn't be significantly higher than a triple-monitor setup woefully stuck in just two dimensions.
Microsoft waiting for more 3D adoption before joining the race
Sony is pushing 3D gaming as a companion piece for its high-end televisions. Nintendo is bundling a 3D gaming system with its own, tiny high-end television. Microsoft, the first out of the gate in the current generation with the Xbox 360, is hanging back from the 3D race. Even though the Xbox 360 is capable of displaying 3D visuals (as it did for the Avatar game), Xbox head of global marketing Albert Penello told CVG that the company is happy to be behind the curve in terms of making a major push. "We're going to take more of an attitude of seeing what the adoption looks like," Penello said. "Right now, there's nothing technically that we can't do on the 3D side - we already have games out there today." He reminded CVG that Microsoft is not totally opting out of 3D gaming: " But for us right now, we're more on the 3D input take, you know, revolutionising things with Kinect." In other words, in Nintendo-land, you look at games in 3D. But in Xbox-land, games look at you!
Nintendo 3DS gets official, includes 3D camera
We've been reading about it for what seems like ages, looking over images of the FCC prototype with a magnifying glass, and now Nintendo is showing it off at its E3 press conference. The company that Mario built is trumping up how superior its glasses-free technology is better than others, "a solution that lets you take 3D gaming along with you wherever you go" according to Reggie. The upper screen is surprisingly only 3.5-inches, not the wider that we'd expected. There is a slider on the side that lets you tweak the 3D effect, seemingly enabling you to adjust its depth based on your distance from the screen -- or turn it off entirely. As with the current DS, the bottom is a touchscreen, and is not 3D. That's what looks to be an analog stick on the side there, as well, that Nintendo is calling a "Slide Pad." There is a gyro, motion sensor, it's compatible with DSi games, and has two cameras enabling 3D photos. Nintendo is also talking up partnerships including Disney, games that are said to be playable today, at the show, with one of the highlights being a new Kid Icarus game which looks quite action-packed to say the least -- and has better graphics than most of the Wii titles Nintendo has shown thus far. Nintendo has mentioned the 3DS will have the "biggest launch support ever" from third party devs, and a 3D Nintendogs should be a huge seller -- if only because it has cats too. Other games include Madden, Ninja Gaiden, Resident Evil, a Batman title, Splinter Cell, and, finally, a Metal Gear Solid entry. Nintendo is also talking about how the system will seek out WiFi hotspots or other 3DS systems "without you knowing," which sounds a bit ominous, to be honest. Systems can communicate regardless of which games are being played. It can even pull in new DLC directly from other consoles, all without a monthly fee. Still no release date or price, but Nintendo is showing off two colors, red and blue, and they're said to be playable on the show floor. You can be sure we'll be running there right now. Update: Complete press release and full list of launch games after the break, including some biggies, like Metal Gear Solid "The Naked Sample," Madden, FIFA, and more! Update 2: If you'd like to know more, check out or two hands-on with the 3DS. Our first impressions of the hardware, and our more detailed thoughts after spending time with a few games. We got cross-eyed so you don't have to. %Gallery-95314% %Gallery-95274%
Nintendo 3DS more powerful than a Wii, won't use Tegra?
Nintendo's next portable will be as potent as a current-gen home console, if you believe the latest rumors out of IGN and Eurogamer, but it won't have a Tegra chip under the hood. Multiple independent sources now say that NVIDIA's SoC is out of the autostereoscopic picture as the 3D handheld nears completion, and further confirm that the project codename is "CTR" -- which reminds us of a certain Nintendo motherboard. How the handheld has evolved since then is anyone's guess -- we're betting praying it's a good bit smaller -- but we'll find out next week at E3 for sure.
