3D Not Suitable For Children?
Worrying development?
Published: 22:00, 13/07/2010 by Chris [cc_star].
37In America, Sony have recently updated their terms of service and user agreements for the PlayStation Network. Some of the changes in the updated document are centred around 3D devices and content.
Yesterday, we took a look at a report from UK charity The Eyecare Trust, which said that due to visual impairments around 12% of the UK population may not be able to see 3D, and it is likely that this figure is replicated around the world. Whilst there is sympathy for those in that position, from a business point of view it does still leave around 88% of population who don’t have a problem viewing 3D, and that’s a huge target market to aim your 3D related products and content at. Or is it?
In the updated ToS it says “Some people may experience discomfort (such as eye strain, eye fatigue or nausea) while watching 3D video images or playing stereoscopic 3D games on 3D televisions. If you experience such discomfort, you should immediately discontinue use of your television until the discomfort subsides.” This in itself isn’t really surprising as gaming has carried all sorts of warnings for a long time now – just take a look inside any game manual if you don’t believe me.
In various 3D articles on TSA there has been occasional comments from a few people saying that they, or someone they know experiences 3D related discomfort or annoyances at the flicker caused by the Active Shutter Glasses.
So, perhaps 3D content and products may adversely affect more people than those who already feel discomfort from photo sensitivity or from just looking at any screen for too long? Although, as always the manufacturer’s advice is to take regular breaks, making this somewhat a moot point as far as 3D adoption is concerned.
However in the updated ToS, Sony go on to point out: “The vision of young children (especially those under six years old) is still under development. SCEA recommends that you consult your doctor (such as a pediatrician or eye doctor) before allowing young children to watch 3D video images or play stereoscopic 3D games.”
I’m a keen gamer (sometimes), love 3D and was planning to be at the front of the queue for the second wave of 3D TVs but Sony’s advice that doctors should be consulted before young children view 3D imagery is more than a tad worrying. I’m pretty sure it’s just Sony covering themselves legally but this is also a view shared not only by Sony, but also Nintendo and the movie companies (who confusingly seem only too happy to produce lots of child friendly 3D content).
Nintendo’s new handheld, the 3DS seemed to receive unanimous praise after its E3 unveiling, not only because of the glasses-free 3D screen but because the range of games advertised appeared to targeted towards an older audience than Nintendo usually favours.
The reason for this now appears to be the inclusion of the 3D screen and its unsuitability for youngsters. Speaking to Kotaku Nintendo’s US President Reggie Fils-Aime said: “We will recommend that young children not look at 3D images,” he said. “That’s because, [in] young children, the muscles for the eyes are not fully formed… This is the same messaging that the industry is putting out with 3D movies, so it is a standard protocol.”
Obviously we know that the 3DS features a slider which reduces and even turns off the 3D effect but as the company has focused so heavily on titles like Pokemon and Nintendogs thereby appealing almost exclusively to young gamers it makes the inclusion of 3D tech a bit baffling. It probably explains why Nintendo showed off titles geared towards a more mature audience like Pilotwings, Starfox and Metal Gear Solid on the new handheld as part of their E3 keynote.
Nintendo happily point out they are working with experts to establish best practice, but as they have a vested interest, call me sceptical but would it be better to have independent research carried out on the effects of 3D, before 3D technology becomes omni-present in hand-helds, home consoles, cinema screenings, TV channels and elsewhere.
Like I previously mentioned, I’m sure there is a certain amount of ass-covering going on in Sony’s updated ToS and it’s fair to say that Sony’s PlayStation 3 content isn’t aimed towards young family members, but this will all change with the launch of Move as Sony attempts to expand their install-base beyond core users and into the more casual arena which generally populated by families.
Given that the TV forms the central part of families entertainment needs, helped in part by multimedia powerhouses like the PlayStation 3 and the world of content it brings, should families even be considering a 3D TV, until more research is done on its affects, particularly on younger family members?
After spending a great deal of time looking for research I can only find anecdotal quotes from companies with a vested interest, and it’s unclear whether this advice is just ass-covering or there could actually be harm done to people who consume 3D content. Particularly as anyone who’s in the market for a 3DTV is likely to consume as much 3D TV programming, 3D movies and 3D gaming as possible, As the industry rushes into that market in an effort to sell as many TVs as possible.
Following on from the Eyecare Trust report claiming that 3D may be unsuitable for 12% of the population, the highlighting of the fact that any 3D imagery is entirely unsuitable for youngsters, and that anyone with children should seek doctors advice before viewing 3D puts a bit of a dampener on things. 3D adoption, at least in its current form may have a difficult mountain to climb.
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13/07/2010 at 22:13
Member since: Mar 2009
Maybe in the long term, people’s eyes will “evolve” to be able to absorb 3D content more easily, but it does sound like they’re maybe pushing the tech out first, and worrying about the side-effects second. I’d love to leap onto the 3D bandwagon, but I’m as blind as a bat so fear that I’m going to fall into that 12% bracket.
13/07/2010 at 23:05
Member since: Nov 2009
I have evolved to watch 3d content, I have two eyes.
14/07/2010 at 03:02
Member since: Apr 2009
I don’t. Not that work anyway.
13/07/2010 at 22:29
Member since: Mar 2010
i thought everyone already knew 3D wasn’t for children
13/07/2010 at 22:36
Member since: Forever
Really, that’s surprising as Disney & Dreamworks have committed to making 100% of their out put in 3D and they are 2 of the worlds biggest producers of content for children.
And then with Nintendo and Sony moving into the 3D arena with Sony in particular targetting casual users (more likely to include families) for future expansion, it’s certainly news too me
13/07/2010 at 22:55
Member since: Sep 2008
Well, I’m sure everyone with that warning in place, everyone will take their kids in to see a pediatrician (or eye doctor) before going to see the movie… right?
13/07/2010 at 23:03
Member since: Aug 2009
LOL evil companies want your children to be blind
14/07/2010 at 00:53
Member since: Mar 2010
your right cc i completely forget common sence amongst parents is as common as something that isn’t very common at all
13/07/2010 at 22:30
Member since: Mar 2010
The tech is too young imo; they need to get to 240hz or possibly even true 480hz as a basic standard before I’ll adopt a 3D-capable tv or monitor.
13/07/2010 at 22:38
Member since: Forever
Perhaps…
I think some independent research would be a good idea, but so far it only appears to carried out by groups with a vested interest.
Saying that’s, perhaps it’s nothing and it’s just over cautiousness – just in case
13/07/2010 at 22:39
Member since: Jul 2009
I agree with all of you, they push out the tech too fast, and I knew I’d get a headache even before I watched my first 3D. 3D TV is not on my wishlist for many, many years.
And if you put a pair of 3D goggles on your kid, then someone need to take your kid away from you, along with your procreating abilities.
13/07/2010 at 23:00
Member since: Sep 2008
To be fair, that could have been a placebo effect if you went in, already decided that you weren’t going to like it…
I actually think that part of the problem with current 3D is that we’ve not perfected capturing it yet. Some of the headaches can be caused by the flicker (if you’re using shutter tech), but if you’re watching at an IMAX or something, then it is probably the forced focus that is doing it. I wonder if some of the issues could be solved through different capturing techniques.
13/07/2010 at 22:45
Member since: Aug 2008
I’ll end up with a 3D TV eventually, but it will only be because I upgrade the TV and it will probably have the feature as standard.
I’m not too impressed by 3D in general, it’s always wound me up the wrong way with it not actually being 3D and all :/
Super-thin, paper-like OLED screens interest me more and ofcourse, true 3D when that appears :)
13/07/2010 at 22:52
Member since: Feb 2009
Intresting piece CC, Im sure that if a tabloid newspaper were to run this story, it could have a huge knock on in the sales of 3D TV’s. This could potentially be quite vital in the development of 3D, if it isnt Sony covering the legal side, then the future of 3D could be in trouble.
13/07/2010 at 22:56
Member since: Apr 2010
I just got a 3DTV yesterday. To be honest I’m still on the fence as to whether or not the technology is going to be adopted by everyone, I think I’m kinda swaying towards it not being a big thing, just due to the nature of the technology and the way it works, I’m guessing it’s not going to be a good thing for developing eyes.
I have to add though, the picture on the TV we got is incredible, wipeout and super stardust HD look fantastic in 3D :)
13/07/2010 at 23:24
Member since: Forever
That’s good to hear,
I’m pretty much sold on 3D I watch a lot of movies and as more are filmed in 3D I look forward to seeing them both at the cinema and on Blu-ray (I refuse to pay money for ones where the 3D is added afterwards though & will only pay for ones filmed in 3D)
Gaming is kinda the icing on the cake but I was looking forward to Sky3D as well but I have to admit that now I’m slightly concerned that if I sit through a couple of hours of 3D footie on Sky then stick a bit of 3D gaming on and then watch a movie I’ll be crippled by migraines and can’t do any of these things whilst my daughter is in the room… Kinda could defeat the point of the 3D TV – for me
14/07/2010 at 11:59
Member since: Apr 2010
Yeah, to be honest we blitzed through a few games trying it out, and while I felt fine for the most part I did kinda feel sick watching my friend on wipeout while I was trying to eat my tea at the same time. That might just be because wipeout is ridiculous anyway lol.
I’m guessing if you sit for more than a few hours watching stuffs in 3D it’s probably not going to be great for your head. I haven’t had time to guinea pig myself yet, roll on the weekend – I’ll try it drunk, hungover, then for a few hours straight and see what happens XD
13/07/2010 at 23:22
Member since: Sep 2008
This is just what anybody would learn in business school in “ass covering 101″: when in doubt put up a warning so you’re not/less liable if something goes wrong.
If there is a lawsuit (frivolous or not) then they can point to that paragraph and say “We told you to ask your doctor, and now you’re blind. Sucks to be you, go sue your doctor instead if he said it was safe”
14/07/2010 at 00:05
Member since: Jul 2009
Free eye surgery with every four tickets.
14/07/2010 at 00:54
Member since: Forever
JUST TO PROVE THE POINT OT THIS STORY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQwFtmSRJa8
BE WARNED YOUNGSTERS STAY AWAY FROM 3D