TOTALLY3D … your guide to the world of 3D
3D Gaming
3D games: tried and tested
Jul 26th
The Totally3D team found a particularly good review of 3D gaming courtesy of the Metro.
The Metro team were given glimpses and sneak previews of classic Sony PS3 games including Killzone 3, Motorstorm, Gran Turismo 5, Wipeout HD and Superstardust HD. You can read the full 3D gaming review here however we summarised their findings below.
Killzone 3 3D
Out of all the game demos the Metro guys played this was their number one choice. The level they was called ‘Intruder Flight’ which features huge explosions seeming to leap out around you. 3D also produces an impressive effect where allies swing their guns around and occasionally in front of you. The ground levels they tried also made full use of 3D with landscape perspective incredibly realistic. The team also played a level where you control a jetpack and found that the platforms in 3D really bought the game to life. As can be expected there are a number of guns in Killzone 3 and the 3D effect that was created via the illusion of depth really brought the weaponary to life. SUMMARY – massive hit, a must-play
MotorStorm Apocalypse 3D
The second 3D game they tried was the fourth entry in the MotorStorm franchise. Racing games truly show off the 3D effects as obstacles and items whiz buy you at high speeds. The technology is especially useful when judging the depth and distance of corners and buildings. It really does feel like the environment is flying out towards you for example oil tankers pumping smoke in front of you. SUMMARY – motorised mental fun.
Gran Turismo 5
Although this has been one of Totalyly3D’s favourite games Metro found the 3D effects were a little lack lustre which was probably due to a relatively barren track (they drove round Tuscany). The cockpit and side mirrors views were clever but they were one-offs and 3D really did not add much extra to this game. SUMMARY – 3D adds realism but no biggie.
Super Stardust HD 3D
According to Metro this was probably the least most effective game as it had never been designed with 3D in mind. Saying that the environments and explosions certainly bought the game to life. SUMMARY – nothing new here.
WipEout HD 3D
Even before you begin playing the game you are treated to dazzling 3D effects courtesy of a selection screen with antigravity cars slowly rotating in 3D space. The futuristic Wipeout tracks literally came alive through their 3D effects including neon trails of fellow racers. A real classic which can currently be played in 3D (if you’ve downloaded the patch). SUMMARY – a fun and fast paced 3D classic.
Learn more about 3D gaming
3D gaming on the PS3
Jun 8th
Well one things for sure … the Japanese are lucky! Sure it’s a sweeping generalisation however they are the first to get a chance to experience 3D gaming on the Sony PS3.
PS3 3D gaming
One things for sure the team at Totally3D are MASSIVE 3D gaming fans and were excited when this April Sony released a software update for the PS3 enabling gamers to start playing 3Dgames. This was the start of things to come because as of June 10th the Japanese will be the first lucky lot to experience 3D gaming on Sony’s PlayStation 3.
Sony have announced that the first three 3D games will be Wipeout HD (an old skool racing classic) Pain and Super Stardust HD. To further incentivise customers Sony will give vouchers to buyers of 3D tvs, enabling them to download the games for free. Even more excitingly for 3D gaming fans it is looking more and more likely that the PS3 classic ‘Killzone’ could be in for a 3D makeover!
Interested gamers in Europe are going to have to have patience as 3D gaming won’t be coming to our shores until the end of the year. Of course lets not forget that 3D gaming is by far a cheap hobby – there’s the 3D TV for starters, then don’t forget the glasses and of course 3D content.
Senior development manager at Sony Simon Benson has revealed that more existing PlayStation titles are to get a 3D make over “I’m sure we will [retrofit more games with 3D], as adding 3D to a game can make it a whole new experience … retrofitting 3D is actually harder than building 3D into a game from the outset. One of the big issues is that all of the game assets were designed to work with only one HD output. Being able to render them twice to make a 3D output can be a challenge”.
So what about their Sony’s nemesis Microsoft well they have certainly not ruled out 3D gaming and are looking to wait for 3D Tv’s to become more main stream before getting heavily involved in the 3D arena.
One thing’s for sure 3D gaming is going to be big … REALLY BIG! Check out our 3D gaming section.
SEARCH FOR MORE INFO ON SONY PS3 3D GAMING
Toshiba Dynabook
Jun 8th
It looks like Toshiba is to become the first PC manufacturer to produce a 3D-capable Blu-ray Disc laptop. The laptop will be the Dynabook TX/98MBL and will be packed full of fantastic technology.
TX/98MBL
The TX/98MBL will have a 15.6-inch display and a Blu-ray Disc drive with support for 3D movies. To ensure maximum efficiency and power, the laptop will feature a powerful Intel Core i7 processor and NVIDIA GeForce 350M graphics processor with 1GB of video RAM.
There will also be a 640 GB hard drive, 4 GB memory, Harmon speakers and pre-installed Microsoft Office 2010.
GeForce will bring to life 3D content. Once you’ve donned you active-shutter glasses and plugged in the necessary transmitters the world is your oyster to enjoy 3D games and movies.
This is one serious piece of kit from Toshiba you don’t want to miss out on.
SEARCH FOR THE TX98MBL