Sony: Expect 3-D PS3 Games Next Year
Reports out of Tokyo today talked about the importance of 3-D to Sony’s turnaround plan. One senior Sony executive said that 3-D technology will be a “pillar” of the company’s strategy going forward. Not only is the company looking to launch its line of 3-D HDTVs next year, but PS3s will all be upgraded to take advantage. Sony wants 3-D games available from day one.
“We plan to make all the existing PS3 systems to be stereoscopic 3D compatible through a system software update but the timing is not yet decided at this time. As for the stereoscopic 3D game titles for PS3, the plan is to release them in conjunction with Sony’s 3D TV launch next year,” a Sony Computer Entertainment America spokesperson confirmed to IndustryGamers.
There are some HDTVs on the market that already feature 3-D capabilities and a small selection of games on the market can be played in 3-D, but Sony is obviously looking to lead in this category. We’re guessing it’ll be a pretty small niche category until the prices on 3-D TVs really come down and become more widely adopted.
I remember hearing increasingly frequent rumors of 3D console gaming, and wondering to myself “is there a demand for this?” Sony, in all their self proclaimed corporate wisdom, must seem to think so based on this report, though i think they are yet again failing to recognize their customer’s needs.
For example: When Sony built the PS3, they built it to be the most powerful, advanced graphics and processing machine out there. They certainly achieved this, but at what cost? Game design complications for developers, primitive online support, and, for most audiences, a prohibitively expensive price point.
When you look at the successes that Microsoft and Nintendo achieved through smart innovation (a full featured online gaming network, and casual gamer appeal, respectively), Sony’s actions appear rather ham-fisted in comparison. Sony may argue that the Playstation 3 is targeted towards individuals looking for maximum performance, yet the final product (game selection, stability, accessibility) often falls short of this goal.
With this announcement of 3D gaming support, Sony has sealed their fate in my eyes as a company that never seems to learn the needs of the consumer. The market for 3D gaming has potential, but I believe that the market is not yet ready for such a jump in technology. For one, stereoscopic 3D is still a fledgeling technology in home entertainment, and the price point for a TV that has such technology makes the current market for 3D gaming miniscule.
I believe Sony is shooting themselves in the foot with this announcement, and should instead be concerned with improving their existing service, such as the Playstation Network, which, three years after release, is still horribly sub par. Innovation is all fine and dandy if it improves percieved or actual value to the consumer, but 3D gaming is simply too new to be a worthwhile investment on Sony’s part.
Give it three or four years Sony.
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