Report: PS3 to support 3D stereoscopic gaming in 2009
by Andrew Yoon 
{ Dec 18th 2008 at 7:15PM }
3D stereoscopic technology will be implemented in both movies and games, according to MtbS. A simple firmware update is all that's needed to make this incredible tech possible on the PS3. In fact, the firmware update "may be unique to Sony PS3 versus the other console solutions." Intriguing.
A video explaining the technology can be seen after the break.
[Thanks, Heavytoka!]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
-.- @ Dec 18th 2008 7:25PM
ROFL @ VIDEO X10
ducttapeBigSexy @ Dec 18th 2008 8:26PM
It was totally worth it for Sony to spend piles of time and money developing this technology so PS3 Fanboy would have an excuse to post this video, therefore allowing me to see it.
The sad part is, I'm only half joking.
playcrackthesky @ Dec 18th 2008 8:56PM
Agreed, I need to watch this when I'm stoned.
Gaucho @ Dec 18th 2008 9:11PM
HAHA!! that video was brilliant. +20 internets for Andrew!
Extinction @ Dec 18th 2008 9:11PM
Awesome, after playing Metal gear Acid 2 a while back I was hoping for this!
PSN: John-Paul-Jones @ Dec 18th 2008 11:51PM
@ playcrackthesky
Yup. I'm thinking about getting baked tomorrow and watching it full screen. In fact, I might even watch the SpongeBob SquarePants movie right after the video.
Aaron @ Dec 20th 2008 2:38PM
Holy back-to-the-future. My SEGA Master System had 3D gaming capability with LCD shutter glasses back in the 1990s. Although the graphics sucked, playing games in 3D was great!
I can't wait to play some FPS in 3D on the big screen. Yeah, I'll probably get motion sick, but it's worth it!!!
PSN: MannyCalvo @ Dec 18th 2008 7:26PM
If this does happen it will add to the already all the great things we can do with this system. News like this is always welcome... Make it happen .. But on the other hand I hope they don't kill certain franchises by implementing this feature. Movies would be great though.
chililili @ Dec 18th 2008 7:26PM
Ok I am a ps3 fanboy all the way... but this is completely useless and would in no way interest me in my decision of keeping a ps3 or buying a ps3, 3d technology may become viable in the future, but as of right now it is completely useless as a feature. Sony should not spend any money in this whatsoever.
Syn @ Dec 18th 2008 7:28PM
Are you a share holder?
Secondly, What if they do go forward with this? Are you going to rebel and not use it?
Flame @ Dec 18th 2008 7:37PM
I think he'd rather Sony get exclusives or fix their online service with that money. This is a waste of money along with Home and sadly it sickens me that they really show that the console is a movie player than a games machine.
Jake @ Dec 18th 2008 9:41PM
one home is really good, i didn't like it at first but ive been on there for the last 3hrs straight and got to know people, so much so i played pool with a mate for 2hrs and now there is not 1 single person in the bowling room, its so weird to have it to ourselves
as for this 3D firmware, i'm well up for it, you don't know how it will turn out, could make a whole new experience like the wii did
lawlersauce @ Dec 18th 2008 10:14PM
"fix the online"
that implies that it is broken...please tell me...how is the PSN broken?
zero @ Dec 18th 2008 10:24PM
just imagine killzone 2 in 3D!!!
Sblargh @ Dec 18th 2008 7:28PM
This would make some awesome PSN games, but dear lord, I hope Sony don't try to market too heavy on this.
Hife @ Dec 18th 2008 7:32PM
Very true. We don't want this to turn into the system's gimmick. But if they get a couple developers on it to make some small PSN games mostly for demonstration at first, this could be great.
Don't really see a downside to the movie aspect of it though. That one is kind of out of Sony's hands.
Vincent @ Dec 18th 2008 8:13PM
Sony? Marketing too hard on something? Hahahahaha, that's the last thing you should be worried about
JonnieC @ Dec 18th 2008 7:32PM
At first I was confused as to how such things could be possible. Luckily the explanation video cleared everything right up.
JerJerBinks @ Dec 18th 2008 8:34PM
LOL.
The new 3d technology is so much better than what it was when I was a kid. I saw an under the sea 3d stereoscopic movie at the local IMAX a few years ago and I was completely blown away by what they can accomplish now. It really is something that you have to see to believe.
It would be cool to see something like Afrika patched to support this feature. It might actually make the game worthwhile.
Sim-and-Sim. @ Dec 18th 2008 8:01PM
Thats more like it Andrew! Some good fanboyant useless news that make us all argue over how great/stupid we think it is!
Honestly... I like it.. but I can't see people doing this right for a long time... TimeCrisis 3D anyone?
kyle @ Dec 18th 2008 7:35PM
cool i think?
Jimmy Snuff @ Dec 18th 2008 7:37PM
As someone who worked for 3 years using this kind of technology in the satellite mapping industry, if implemented right this will completely change gaming.
Mo @ Dec 18th 2008 7:44PM
god, why does everyone hate on everything. home is alright, not a complete waste (CAN WE LAUNCH GAMES ALREADY?) I am a fanboy, fair enough, but damn... 3d goggles on my games?? sounds effing awesome...
uh-oh polio @ Dec 18th 2008 8:44PM
Agreed, effing awesome indeed.
Hife @ Dec 18th 2008 11:01PM
Because they're douche bags Mo, because they're douche bags.
j.howlett @ Dec 18th 2008 11:32PM
sounds cool for a firmware update. they need to come up with something that fits over regular glasses.
The Aggie CEO @ Dec 18th 2008 7:48PM
ummmm
can Sony spend money on something a little more widely useful........such as beefing up the PSN......
David @ Dec 18th 2008 11:32PM
I have to say, the most engrossing gaming experience I have ever had was playing the original "Thief" game in 3D on the PC (using the "Revelator" 3D glasses). With the lights in the room turned down, and headphones in my ears, it was the most immersive gaming experience this side of VR. I never got so tense playing a game before or since. Sneaking around castles, peaking around corners, walking gently across precarious beams without falling, aiming the bow and arrow, all took on a new level of interactivity. I actually found myself holding my breath crossing those beams, scared to look down at how far I could fall.
If the experience on the PS3 is only have as good as that was, it has serious potential.
Organic_Shadow @ Dec 18th 2008 11:31PM
who said sony is spending any money on it?
secondly, and a bit ironically, engadget had an article earlier about how glasses aren't even needed for 3D tv's now. so they may not even be needed, which could mean a quicker adoption by movie companies, tv makers, and content providers. we're already seeing tons of 'normal' movies go to IMAX and in 3D, so i don't think it will be too much of a stretch for us to see the content if it's available.
but i agree that BD should be the first hurdle before PUSHING 3d. supporting is a different matter...
Lord_von_Punx @ Dec 18th 2008 8:02PM
Sweet im so glad this rumor is true! i just got the
3d 50 inch samsung plasma and i can't wait for this
feature
Alphathon @ Dec 18th 2008 8:06PM
I see one main problem with this and that is that most people won't be able to use it. There are two commonly used ways to do something like this - 1) use light polorised horizontally for one eye, and verticaly for the other. This way things look exactly as they would normally look out of one eye, but with two it's 3d. 2) One image is green, the other red. Gives the illusion of depth, but colours get screwed up. Now heres the catch: the good method (polorisation) can only be used on CRTs as far as I know (I think there are like three REDICULOUSLY expensive LCDs that do it...like £10000+ or something), so we're restricted to the red/green, which quite frankly is useless.
I wonder though whether that weird wiimot like controller that they patented is connected in any way? just imagine proper motion control with depth perception!
Alphathon @ Dec 18th 2008 8:12PM
Also forgot to mention, that video was...um...how can I articulate this...AHHHHHHH!
Flash @ Dec 18th 2008 11:31PM
Alphathon: thats not the only way to do it. if you google, you'll find some news on nvidia and the tech they're making for pc. it uses some sync'ed glasses to achieve the method 1)
Hedgeson @ Dec 18th 2008 11:31PM
That's an uneducated comment. There are way more options than this. Example: There are 2 commercially available monitors which can display stereoscopic "real 3D". Search for the Zalman Trimon monitor or the IZ3D Monitor. They use light polarization. There are also a number of stereo 3D HDTVs.
But a stereo 3D PS3 probably means using a 3D compatible HDTV, with shutterglasses, since the PS3 uses HDMI.
Shutter glasses are simple devices which blocks one eye's vision while the display shows the other eye's image. However, they don't work with slow LCDs.
Other stereo 3D options include Head Mounted Displays and polarized dual projectors setups.
BLOL @ Dec 18th 2008 11:31PM
There's a third one, the glasses are connected to the system, and they black out on one side at a time, very rapidly. So with alternate frames on the screen being the ones from different perspectives, it can be done with a regular TV, and some glasses connected to the PS3.
Alphathon @ Dec 19th 2008 10:58AM
OK, it seems I'm a lot less educated about this than I thought I was. Now you mention it, I do remember hearing about the black-out glasses. As Hedgeson said though, due to PS3 hardwareit's still going to be restricted to wearing glasses, and doesn't work with all hardware (I can imagine it would probably require progressive scan as it would need the full frame rate, good bye DS tvs and 1080i users.) Also, if it does require glasses, then it'll be pretty awkward for anyone who actually needs glasses to see.
P.S. I was aware of other technologies (not all the ones mentioned though) but didn't think they were commercially available.
Leut Vague @ Dec 18th 2008 8:18PM
I agree with Sblargh. This would be awesome for PSN games, especially if groups like Plastic were to make some of their "interactive art" in 3d.
Juthan @ Dec 18th 2008 8:31PM
3-D porn. Now that's where money should be spent!
JerJerBinks @ Dec 18th 2008 11:31PM
HD porn is bad news. Who wants to see ingrown hairs, ass pimples, and genitil warts?
Heavytoka @ Dec 18th 2008 8:33PM
lol @ 3-D porn
acedoh @ Dec 18th 2008 11:31PM
I really like this... Obviously technology has to continue advancing and going 3D would be the ultimate step towards this. Resolution can only go so much further and graphics will only improve so much. So with this it will help create a new to game... Or so. I remember that the Sega Master System had 3D glasses and the game I had for it was really cool until the glasses broke. But obviously this technology has been around for 20 years so I can only hope SONY takes it to the next level.
Brent @ Dec 19th 2008 10:59AM
I remember that, me and my brother had the 3d glasses for out master system. Space Harrier 3d was the game. It was a really cool effect, the shutter glasses did a really good job, hardly any eye strain. Definent step-up to the crappy red and blue glasses that would come with some of the nintendo games.
Highimpact1 @ Dec 18th 2008 8:57PM
Ah perfect this a revolution in gaming like Sony promised me when I bought my PS3, two years ago. On the flip side, that video made me consider cannabilism... on myself.
Well played sir.
BLOL @ Dec 18th 2008 9:49PM
I hope this is true, if not the 360 is probably going to rape the PS3 again in 2009.
Fane @ Dec 19th 2008 6:45PM
Idiot.
Rodz @ Dec 18th 2008 9:53PM
Now THAT'S a System Seller. At least I think so.
Jeff @ Dec 18th 2008 11:31PM
Not even gonna waste my breath on BLOL
But if the glasses come in with the game free, im in.
Wes Harris @ Dec 18th 2008 11:30PM
For everyone out there who thinks this is a crappy feature they have clearly never played a shooter or any other game that uses native or forced stereoscopic technology. This is not the same as 3d anagylph technology ie red and blue or green glasses.
Unlike all or most of the people who think this technology will suck I actually have played games featuring sterscopic 3d imagery. When I was a computer hardware reviewer I was lucky enough to review a pair of Elsa 3D Relevators (google it for those who dont know), which are 3D stereoscopic glasses for the pc.
Games like Turok 2 ( for the PC), Ultrahle, some other emulators. Mario 64 in real 3d was seriously cool and mentioned in the reviewing materials elsa sent us (which is kinda of strange as emulators were and are a grey area)
This is a seriously cool technology same as the technology used on 3d rides at disney world, not simular exactly the same. Which is why the glasses will probably be 45-70 dollars.
That video btw has nothing to do with 3d technology, other then mocking them.
Wes
PSN: Erdie @ Dec 18th 2008 11:42PM
That's just what I need, the menials in Resistance actually jumping at my face. That'd be one horrible jumpscare.
Laurens Holst @ Dec 18th 2008 11:56PM
For stereoscopic games, you need to project twice the amount of images (one extra for the second angle). Unless you want to play at 15 fps, to get a decent framerate of 30 fps the game needs to generate 60 images per second. And looking at the amount of games that run at 60 fps now… I am suspecting that this will be a gimmick.
A nice one though, should still be fun playing any games that come out for it. Just don’t expect every PS3 game to all of a sudden to support this :).