Sony first-party studios developing 3D games

by Andrew Yoon { Sep 2nd 2009 at 2:30PM }

The IFA 2009 kicked off with a keynote from Sony's CEO Sir Howard Stringer. As revealed by Stringer, Sony plans on introducing 3D tech in a number of new products, from TVs to Blu-ray movies, to video games. "Today, 3D is clearly on its way to the mass market through technology, distribution and content," Stringer said. However, he notes that the mass acceptance of 3D will meet the same stumbling blocks as HD. "As with high definition a few years back, there are a variety of issues yet to be addressed. But the 3D train is on the track, and we at Sony are ready to drive it home."

MCV reports that Sony has already produced a number of 3D games via its internal development studios, but won't announce the games "until an industry 3D standard has become apparent." This move should be unsurprising, considering the tech demos presented at CES earlier this year, with MotorStorm: Pacific Rift, WipEout HD and Gran Turismo 5 Prologue all running in 3D.

While we're not entirely sure consumers will jump on the 3D bandwagon as soon as next year, the technology is already slowly proliferating. The recently released Invincible Tiger on PSN, and the upcoming Avatar, can both run in 3D -- provided you have a TV that can support the still-in-development tech.

Source - Financial Times: Sony to throw its weight behind 3D TV
Source - MCV: Sony: 3D TV 'in every home' next year

Tags: 3d, howard-stringer, ifa2009, sony

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

sony boy (6 years til sony man child!) @ Sep 2nd 2009 2:41PM

heavy rain 3d plz.

Lord_von_Punx @ Sep 2nd 2009 2:46PM

woo hoo! i have a samsung 50pna450 3d ready plasma and can't wait for

these 3d games. i'm gonna buy invincible tiger which is in 3-d!

EI8HT @ Sep 2nd 2009 3:52PM

your my new friend :P

yea i saw the samsung 3d screen last year but if memory serves me right you need to put on the funky glasses and i have no clue where to get those

skyzbig @ Sep 2nd 2009 2:47PM

Talk about running before you can walk.

HDTV isn't anywhere near mainstream, yet they're already going into 3D?

Extinction @ Sep 2nd 2009 2:55PM

actually yes, HD is mainstream

Heavytoka @ Sep 2nd 2009 2:58PM

What are you talking about, everyone I know has an HDTV.

Space @ Sep 2nd 2009 3:07PM

nah it's less than 50% of households in america have an HD tv, just google it. I'd imgaine it's lower in other countries.

Nick @ Sep 2nd 2009 3:51PM

While HD isn't "mainstream" yet, millions of people still own them. To say "not anywhere near" is misguided. Most people aren't rushing out to buy SDTVs anymore, so when those people eventually buy an HDTV the 3D tech will (hopefully) be there for the masses. I'm willing to wager that a large chunk of people who own current-gen systems (PS3 and 360) also own HDTVs.

Cheesus(Crust) @ Sep 2nd 2009 3:54PM

50% is pretty significant, considering its only been around for about 10 years.

profeteer @ Sep 2nd 2009 2:59PM

Good news; lets push this to the public as soon as possible. I played some 3D Batman:AA and Burnout at Quakecon, and I'm really excited about it, despite the required glasses (at least they fit comfortably over my glasses).

ceetheman @ Sep 2nd 2009 3:02PM

Well by my experience, watching a 3d movie at home (with the color glasses) ends up giving you a headache. So if 2 hours = Headache, 4 hours gaming sessions will get people sick.

3D is more of a passing fad, just like flailing your arms to get a character moving.

If there is no real added value, there is no point.

Here's a good innovation for HDTV : Making TV without delays so you don't have to configure lag each time you try a new music game ('cause they seem to come out at a bi-weekly rate).

Hedgeson @ Sep 2nd 2009 7:56PM

High-rate shutterglasses and polarized glasses, as opposed to anaglyph (color-coded) glasses and older shutterglasses, shouldn't give you headaches. Red-blue glasses are the cheap option.

I can't wait for those 3D TVs they're talking about. Current 3D options are DLP TVs, expensive monitors, affordable but low-res Head Mounted Displays or very expensive HMDs.
I'm close to buying a $900 HMD, AND about to buy a 40" Sony LCD... maybe I'll wait.

MonteMax @ Sep 2nd 2009 3:04PM

I've always seen these stories about 3d games and how a compatible TV would be needed, my question is though for all of us who have already purchased HDTV why isn't possible on current sets or why haven't they come up with a solution that would work on all sets?. It just seems as if this is a marketing ploy to get people to buy newer sets, while neglecting established customers who've already spent a decent amount of money on HDTV's.

Cidi @ Sep 2nd 2009 3:23PM

Currently the tech requires a TV with 120Hz and the you will have alternating pictures. I would assume using that method on TVs with lower Hz would make it look bad or a lot less 3D. Unlike those old Red/Green Pictures that where simulating 3D you don`t have any colour loss with that method. You might actually have already a TV that is able of supporting this it`s not like a specifically 3D supporting TV, any HDTV with 120Hz should be fine for using that feature.