Whether you like it or not, 3D is going to be as important to gaming as HD was. TSA reader rept0n_UK’s ahead of the game, though, and although 3D TV sets have only just emerged onto the market, he’s already provided TheSixthAxis with hands on impressions of the brand new tech.
“Yes, I’m an early adopter of 3D,” he tells us. “And yes, the latest trend of 3D seems to be polarizing games just as much as film goers, with some heralding a new era in entertainment, whilst others detest the silly glasses and gimmicky use,” he says, discussing the current notion that it’s really not (yet) ready for everyone.
“I’ve been on the 3D bandwagon since I heard about the techniques that were being used in the filming of Avatar. I’ve sat through hours of mediocre Pixar, Disney and DreamWorks releases to witness the latest developments, but the real interest for me was that this renewed interest in 3D might finally crossover into the home.”
3D’s a long way from becoming anywhere near mainstream, rept0n_UK (real name Matt) admits, and he’s not even sure HD has yet. “But with the first 3D sets trickling into the UK market, and me getting one of the first Samsung Plasma sets,” he says, “I’m being thrilled by a ‘new’ generation of games.”
“I was one of the first to find that Sony had released a fully 3D version of Super Stardust HD – the second my TV asked me to turn on the 3D glasses I was amazed. Having spent a number of hours revisiting this classic PS3 game, I am convinced that 3D on the PS3 is a worthwhile investment.”
“My 3D gaming experience had already started with Invincible Tiger,” he says, something he describes as a “rather lacklustre platform/beat-em-up” but purchased it just to get an idea of 3D gaming on the day his TV arrived. “Whilst it works,” says Matt, “there was cross-over between the left and right images, and the 3D effect seemed unwieldy.”
“Patiently waiting for Sony to release their 3D firmware patches for Wipeout HD, I decided to plump for Avatar the game,” which is now available for around £10 online. “I’d heard pretty rubbish reviews, but at £10 for a whole game that might further expand my 3D experience, I thought it might be worth a shot.”
“Okay,” he pauses, “I opt for one of the split-screen 3D modes and then let my TV to the rest of the work, I start a new game, and I’m treated to a few in-game cut scenes… so far so not that impressive.”
“Then the game starts… WOW.”
“This isn’t WOW because of the game itself, nor WOW for the PS2-esque graphics, and especially not WOW for the frame rate that makes what should be a free-flowing game dubious at the best of times,” he admits. No, it’s WOW because of the immediate realisation that with Avatar’s third-person perspective, this is a first taste of what the next Dead Space game might be, or perhaps Resident Evil 6, or even GTA 5.
And it’s not just Avatar. Matt tells us about Super Stardust HD too. “It’s beautiful,” he says, and admits that “Wipeout HD will surely be a 3D seller” too, but the depth that is added to Avatar by choosing 3D is “incredible”.
“The character is almost always to the side of the screen and very close (in depth terms) to the front of the screen. Then, by simply moving the screen around, the depth of the world is conveyed. Water effects are suddenly more realistic than you could ever experience on a flat screen, the jungle of Pandora feels as though it is there, particle effects such as smoke produce a haze, and the classic shot of the player waking up as an Avatar (pretty much ripped motion to motion from the movie) is superb (and realised in first-person).”
“I’m little more than an hour into the title,” he says of his first impressions, “and whilst the experience is seriously hampered by the frame rate, but I’m keen to play through just to experience the variety of environments and spectacles that the game presents.”
“My next wish is for the marriage of 3D and Move… further increasing the immersion,” he says. “Killzone 3 is SO far away.”
Indeed.