TVs too flipping expensive says Id CEO

The stereoscopic 3D fad may be pulling in punters at the flicks, but the head of Id Software reckons gamers don’t want to stick on a pair of 3D specs just to play a game.

Speaking to Eurogamer, Id’s co-owner and CEO Todd Hollenshead said this was still true if you had a proper set of 3D shutter glasses, rather than the cheap plastic polarisers you get at the cinema.

“I know the stuff in your living room is different. You can get higher quality glasses that fit,” said Hollenshead. “But you’ve still got to sit in your living room wearing these glasses, and then if you’re playing games and move your head then it can get out of phase, which is a major issue.”

The inconvenience of having to don a pair of glasses isn’t the only factor deterring the developer of Doom and Quake from investing in 3D either. “Also, the TVs are f***ing expensive,” pointed out Hollenshead, before asking whether there’s really enough 3D gaming content out there to justify the cost.

Hollenhead admits to being impressed by the stereoscopic 3D effects inAvatar, but says that “even then, I was a little annoyed that I had to wear these glasses for two hours in a movie. My nose hurt by the end of it.”

His remarks stand in stark contrast with those of plenty of other high-profile game devs. Crytek, for example, has already announced thatCrysis 2 will feature stereoscopic 3D effects.

“The 3D experience represents a quantum leap in interactive entertainment,” stated Crytek CEO Cevat Yerli, adding that the “3D version adds another dimension of intensity and immersion to the action.” Similarly, Sony is also attempting to kick off its own 3D revolution on the PlayStation 3.

Id currently has two projects in the works; the fourth version of its iconic first person shooter Doom, and a new post-apocalyptic shooting and racing game called Rage.

link to original post at  www.thinq.co.uk