No matter where you go or how far you try to run away from it, 3D is everywhere in home entertainment this year. With Sony having already announced 3D Bravia TVs earlier this year, it was only a matter of time before we heard news for gamers keen to take advantage of the firmware upgrade that adds 3D gaming capabilities to the Playstation 3.
[Our friends at Atomic are blogging live from E3 in Los Angeles. See their coverage of the Microsoft's E3 Xbox event.]
Today's announcement at the E3 gaming expo in Los Angeles by Sony confirmed a number of popular genres in the 3D format will soon be available in 3D format, including a selection of old games getting the re-release treatment:
- Motor Storm: Apocalypse
- Gran Turismo 5
- Mortal Kombat
- NBA 2k11
- Tron Evolution
Can I play back old games in 3D in the updated PS3?
Unfortunately, don't expect to be able to take your old games and play them back in 3D - it simply won't work that way. Instead, Sony is opting to rerelease a bunch of games (none of which have been revealed just yet), by going back to the original game design and adding a layer to achieve the stereoscopic results.
How it will work
The 3D specific games will require appropriate active shutter glasses, and a compatible 3D TV. The best thing about the Playstation approach is that you won't need to go out a purchase a new console to play the new-look games: any Internet-connected PS3 should be able to receive the software update (firmware change) that will enable the 3D functionality.
Move over Wii, it's the Sony Playstation Move
In less than 24 hours since Microsoft unveiled its much talked about Xbox 360 Kinect (formerly known as Project Natal), Sony has launched its own motion sensitive controller called Playstation Move.
It works by judging player's movements and coordinating those movements with objects and characters during the game. Unlike Microsoft's Kinect, the Move is more like the Wii in that still requires gaming controllers to interact with game elements. The actual controllers, which look like bright lolly pops or ice cream cones, also require a small Eye camera. It will be available as a separate puchase or in a bundle.
What's interesting about the PS3 Move is is that it seems reasonably priced. The Move controllers will retail for $69.95 and go on sale September 16th. The Eye camera is expect to sell for under $50 when it goes on sale.
