Videogames in 3D will become prevalent next year as 3D TVs begin to make their way into homes, according to Futuresource Consulting senior market analyst Patrik Pfandler.’
Although the first rush of 3D gaming is expected to be distributed via download initially, with Sony releasing four games, including “Wipeout,” together with the firmware update, Futuresource expects to see a significant proportion of disc-based games titles featuring a 3D option very soon, “perhaps becoming prevalent by 2011.”
“There are no major obstacles to 3D games development and production; the process is relatively straightforward and is all done in post production,” according to an analysis today by Pfander. “Including the 3D functionality, development costs of a 3D game are only 10% to 15% higher than a 2D game. Most developers and publishers are already fully geared up for 3D – it’s all about the consumer catch up. As 3D functionality becomes more popular we expect prices to drop and 3D to roll out as standard on a wide variety of games.”
Although Pfandler says the uptake of 3D videogames may take longer to arrive than film since movies can be experienced in the cinema long before consumers start to install 3DTVs, once 3DTVs reach a satisfactory installed base, the industry will see a far bigger push on 3D games advertising and promotion.
He says the Xbox 360 and PS3 are essentially 3D-ready, with Sony releasing a dedicated 3D firmware update for the PS3 this summer. Nintendo is expected to announce details of its new 3DS device at next month’s E3 show. The portable gaming machine could be many consumers’ first experience of 3D gaming and will feature an autostereoscopic 3D-enabled screen, negating the need for glasses.
Futuresource will be hosting the Futuresource Entertainment Summit on June 10-11, which is focused on 3D.
— By Scott Hettrick