I noticed on the weekend that Piranha 3D opened at the cinemas.
It didn’t take long in this revolutionary new 3D era for us to get back to Jaws 3D territory, did it? The movie certainly won’t do a lot to counter the argument that 3D technology is just a tacky gimmick.
It seems in gaming and consumer electronic circles in recent weeks, all of the talk about 3D has focused on glasses-free 3D
Toshiba is working on a home television featuring 3D without the need for glasses, and Sony has also revealed it is working on similar technology. No doubt all the other major players in consumer electronics have their boffins trying to deliver 3D without the geeky glasses, too.
Of course it was Nintendo’s 3DS which brought the world’s attention to the possibilities of glasses-free 3D at this year’s Electronic Entertainment Expo.
Screen Play has little doubt that 3DS will be the first experience of 3D in the home for millions of people because of the significant expense and the awkward nature of current 3D televisions which require glasses.
Before 3DS, it seemed gamers had little interest in 3D stereoscopic gaming, something that hasn’t changed a great deal since Sony released its first handful of 3D titles for the PS3. But it will be fascinating to see next year how Nintendo’s 3DS changes people’s acceptance and demand for 3D content.
The Other Film Festival, which features new flicks exploring the lives of people with a disability, was also held this weekend at the Melbourne Museum. But it obviously didn’t feature any 3D films because of the festival’s commitment to accessibility and inclusion.
I’ve been noticing growing fears about the 3D revolution from many gamers who have vision impairment. They are concerned that the next generation of hardware will exclude them because of an emphasis on 3D.
Meanwhile, I can symphonise and empathise a little more with gamers with a disability because I still can’t hold a joypad at the moment. Still, I am licking my lips in anticipation of being able to play Mafia II when my broken thumb heals, and am also looking forward to reading about accessibility issues in an upcoming Split Screen piece that James “DexX” Dominguez is working on.
DexX fans are in for a special treat during September. Starting next Monday, I am going on a month-long break to enjoy a long-overdue holiday with my family, and James will be sharing his writing talent and vast knowledge of screen culture with the Screen Play community every day rather than just his weekly Split Screen column. I’m sure it’s going to be a blast for everyone.
What have you been playing lately?
August 30, 2010 – 7:50AM, by Jason Hill
link to original post at the Sydney Morning Herald