The Player

Will players share gamemakers' enthusiasm for 3D, asks CIARA O'BRIEN

3D is being held up as the potential saviour of the entertainment industry. TV manufacturers hope it will help spur sales. Film-makers hope it will cut down on piracy. Cinema owners are banking on it encouraging customers in to get the full effect of the technology.

It seems to be working. Avatarbroke box-office records, and there has been a steady stream of 3D films. Sony, meanwhile, is working on the sports side of things, providing technology to film football games in 3D, which are being shown in pubs around the country. And with the TV industry set to unveil the first sets to work with the new technology, it could be coming to a living room near you very soon.

The gaming industry is also trying the new technology in a bid to provide gamers with a better experience. Some of the 3D games were showcased at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas earlier this year, and while the display was far from the finished product, it certainly got punters to take note.

For PC users, Metro 2033 was showcased on a state-of- the art system; console fans were also given a sneak preview as Sony dipped its toe into the water, showing off its vision of the future. The games company is planning to introduce 3D gaming this summer. The good thing is that it won’t require a new console; instead, Sony’s 3D will be provided via a software update that can be pushed out to consoles exactly the same way that existing updates are already provided.

Sony isn’t alone in the move towards more immersive games. Nintendo is planning a 3D version of its handheld DS console, which may not have the same visual impact but may entice a few new players to the console.

Microsoft, meanwhile, is planning a similar move to Sony for its Xbox 360 console. It seems that the industry is determined to push gamers into 3D world, whether we’re ready or not.

But will consumers take to the increasingly realistic games? There was a mixed reaction to the technology at the Vegas show, with some enthusiastically embracing 3D gaming, while others were less enthusiastic.

Sony’s launch is being timed to coincide with the release of its 3D Bravia LCD TVs over the summer. But is the current content enough to persuade customers to shell out for another TV set, especially if they’ve already made a recent significant investment on a top-of-the- range HD TV?

Gaming in itself probably won’t spur sales of 3D TVs; rather, it will more likely be an additional bonus for those who have decided that the TV and film content is good enough for them to strap on ridiculous-looking glasses and take the plunge. How the industry develops is anyone’s guess, but it will be an interesting time for gamers.