True 3D Gaming

[Ruined]

Many of us are currently satisfied playing video games that portray 3D environments in two dimensions. Despite attempts to market 3D gaming in the past (i.e. SimulEyes), the demand for 3D products has remained relatively low. However, my experience with gaming devices that display true, accurate 3D (such as simuleyes) has been quite revelating, where you really get sucked into the game, and it seems almost real.

My question is, when will true 3D become mainstream or a hot commodity? With the most accurate current technology (stereoscopic), you can retain a progressive scan image with its full resolution, and display it in 3D - however, the vertical refresh of the device gets cut in half. What this means is that current interlaced standard definition TVs will not be able to display true 3D images because of their low verticle refresh of 60hz - this would appear as a flickering, hard-on-the-eyes 30hz to someone wearing stereoscoping glasses. It is possible that different technology could be developed, but the money probably wouldn't be spent unless the demand was there.

[IKEA_boy]

I don't think 3D 3D will catch on anytime soon. I doubt the general public is ready, or even willing to make that plunge and the 2D TV is going to be the standard for a while. Plus, I'm sure a lot of people are going to have some medical condition that won't allow them to enjoy true 3D. Look at the Virtual Boy for instance. Many people had problems using it. When I used to play it, everything would be tinted blue for a couple hours after I quit. I'm sure that's not good for anyone.

Personally, I have no desire to stray from the current ways of gaming. Leave 3D for the Disney attractions.

[Ruined]

Originally posted by IKEA_boy
I don't think 3D 3D will catch on anytime soon. I doubt the general public is ready, or even willing to make that plunge and the 2D TV is going to be the standard for a while. Plus, I'm sure a lot of people are going to have some medical condition that won't allow them to enjoy true 3D. Look at the Virtual Boy for instance. Many people had problems using it. When I used to play it, everything would be tinted blue for a couple hours after I quit. I'm sure that's not good for anyone.

Personally, I have no desire to stray from the current ways of gaming. Leave 3D for the Disney attractions.

I dunno, 3D done properly shouldn't cause any side effects - except maybe motion sickness - assuming the person has no problem with standard videogames. The blue tint from virtual boy was from being exposed to the redscreen for an extended period of time - same thing happens when you wear the red/blue 3d glasses. In addition, a HDTV should be able to handle current 3D technology.

Proper 3D technology in glasses form actually have two transparent screens in the glasses lens. The TV image is then rapidly flipped back and forth between left eye image and right eye image. When the left eye image is on, the right lens of the glasses goes completely black (lcd shutter), while the left lens remains open, and vice versa. This means your left eye only sees left-eye images and your right eye only sees right eye images. The offset between the two emulates what our eyes see in real life. The only time I could see a problem (i.e. seizures, etc) is if people play the game in 3D mode without glasses.

[Enzian]

Originally posted by Ruined
In addition, a HDTV should be able to handle current 3D technology.

The only time I could see a problem (i.e. seizures, etc) is if people play the game in 3D mode without glasses.

Oh. I guess I was thinkning of 3D like Minority Report, or something. Disney - style... dunno.

I would think that, of course, HDTV could handle 3D - but I had no idea that analog TV couldn't.

And now that I know what you meant - glasses-driven, red/blue (or whatever) lens 3D - I would think they would happen when a game developer really wants to take the next leap. It's going to require new hardware and new software development tools. This would be a very large undertaking.

I also see plenty of opportunity, though. Currently, the PC game market seems awash in FPS, Civ and Sim games. That's a horrible simplification - so don't flame me. The point is, I don't see innovation.

Innovation. Hmm. That got me thinking as to where the "innovation" is! Well, it's developing realistic lighting and texturing. So, it seems that innovation is alive and well, but that 3D technology has taken a backseat to creating more realistic 2D enviorments.

Who knows when that shift will take place. I voted "Not for a long time".

As for watching the game without glasses - does that mean I can't watch someone play? I dunno, sounds like it's not a technical issue, but a legal issue. Just imagine the chaos! It's kinda funny...

[Ruined]

Originally posted by Enzian
And now that I know what you meant - glasses-driven, red/blue (or whatever) lens 3D - I would think they would happen when a game developer really wants to take the next leap. It's going to require new hardware and new software development tools. This would be a very large undertaking.

The cool thing about LCD shutter glasses is that they are not red/blue, and do not alter the color of what is onscreen at all - they simply make your left eye see one image and your right eye see another offset - just like in real life. It flips at high speed back on forth on the TV, and blacks out the lenses back and forth on the glasses at high speed in sync. This technology was specifically used for a few PC games, such as Descent 2, and if you had simuleyes glasses you could experience it in true 3D.

As for watching the game without glasses - does that mean I can't watch someone play? I dunno, sounds like it's not a technical issue, but a legal issue. Just imagine the chaos! It's kinda funny...

It is kind of a technical issue - if LCD shutter technology is used, the onscreen image without glasses is a combination of the left eye and right eye images flashed back and forth rapidly, which ends up looking like a flashing, double-image mess. I assume someone look at a distorted flashing picture could have a seizure if prone, but its also possible they could have one from playing other non-3d video games too.