UK Sony Exec Says 3D Isn’t Relevant
This generation of consoles has utilized several new technologies to give gamers a new experience. Digital content have allowed gamers to purchase games and additional DLC right from the comfort of their own home. A move towards synergy has incorporated new video and media options to make both the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 not only gaming consoles but media entertainment hubs. Of course, the most notable innovation may be the implementation of motion control. Spearheaded by the Nintendo Wii, interactive with video games with something other than a traditional controller has been the reason for the massive sales success of the Wii and Sony and Microsoft have tried to replicate that success with the PlayStation Move and Kinect.
Sony this generation has had several problems this generation and part of it was due to the company trying to utilize two different technologies. The first was Blu-Ray, the replacement format for DVDs. While the technology for high definition content found success, the disc format is still struggling to replace DVDs and is competing and losing with streaming and digital content. The next was 3D televisions. Watching TV while wearing special glasses has proven to be a hard sell. Despite many games on the PlayStation 3 supporting 3D, many consumers have chosen not to purchase 3D televisions and have just stayed with their high definition TVs. Sony UK executive Feral Gara recently spoke to Eurogamer and seemed to agree with this sentiment.
Gara explained that consumer feedback affect the company’s growth with the PlayStation 3 and the market research shows that 3D isn’t particularly relevant right now. The absence of 3D in Sony’s recent press conferences at Gamescom, E3 and TGS support this. Quote:
Consumers decide how relevant it is. It’s fair to say consumers have decided it’s not hugely important at this time. Whether you look at movies or games, wearing the glasses and consuming 3D in that way in the home isn’t hugely popular. That’s just a fact. I haven’t read detailed research on it, but the glasses will certainly be a big part of the hassle factor. It’s a capability we’ve got. It may have a bigger life a little further down the line. It’s great we can do it. It doesn’t seem to be the most powerful USP at the moment, so you’ve seen us shift our effort onto fresh new exciting IP. I also think there’s a bit of a difference between the highly focused viewing and the more casual viewing. In the home people tune in and tune out a bit, and doing that with glasses on and glancing at your tablet or pausing for a bit, compared to the cinema experience which is a solely focused experience, you know there is a difference emerging there.
What’s your view on 3D, GP peeps? Do you use it or not? Do you want to have a 3D television? Let us know below in the comment section.
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