The 3D Gaming Debate - Pros vs. Cons

The Guy and Yasar show returns to debate the latest news in the video gaming world. This week, we take on the phenomenon that has seemingly swept the tech world ever since Avatar conquered the box office and the CES show revealed all sorts of future electronics goodies last month. That's right, we're going to be talking (yelling mostly) about 3D and what it means to you, both the casual and hardcore gamer. I (Guy) think it means 'meh', while Yasar is all school-girl crushing over the possibilities.

Let the debate begin.

Yasar:

Video games have been evolving ever since I was a little kid (right around the age Guy graduated from college).  I've watched a beloved plumber go from a pixelated side-scrolling platformer, to a more realistic space adventurer (albeit still a plumber).  I've witnessed the Fifa Soccer games transform from laughable third grade drawings to a game where I can make myself a player in the game (who actually looks a lot like me). 

So where do we go from here?  Easy: 3-D gaming.

If the video game industry wants their games to mimic real life, 3-D gaming must be implemented at some point.  Everything we interact with on a day-to-day basis is in 3-D.  Why shouldn't our games be the same way? If Sony and Microsoft are pouring tons of cash into building new hardware to make gaming experiences more realistic, why shouldn't they push it to the next level?

Most of the articles I've read about 3-D gaming so far have been very skeptical.  I must admit, I felt the same way when I first read it.  The Wii was supposed to revolutionize gaming and, in my opinion, completely failed.  It did, however, push gaming in the right direction.  It has inspired Microsoft to develop Project Natal and Sony to create the Arc.  When Sony rolls out its 3-D TVs and attempts to implement it with the PS3, it will--like the Wii--push gaming in the right direction.

Guy:

Well, Yasar certainly makes a valid, if somewhat overly "fan boyish" point. Clap, clap for the epic fail my friend. While 3-D gaming sounds "teh awesome" and all, the reality is that this will likely flop before it succeeds. Now I'm not saying 3-D isn't something that can push gaming into the future, but this is just the wrong time to be forgetting the mistakes of the past.

I'm sure Yasar is too young (or too drunk) to recall epic disasters like the Sega CD or Intellivision, both touted at the time as revolutionizing the way we play. Nice try, but no. Intellivision was ahead of it's time for sure. It was a great system that, over time, could do almost everything in the context of the era in which it was on the market (that's the 1980s, Yasar...again, before you were born).

Before it died a bloated death, it was nearly like a poor man's personal computer/gaming console, with revolutionary controls, decent games, and snazzy peripherals. Only it cost too much compared to the better-selling, cheaper systems on the market. Hm, sound familiar? It also lacked two much needed things:  The first was a vision of the market it existed in that matched their vision for the future of gaming. In essence, they were too forward thinking for a market not yet ready to take advantage of their level of innovation. Secondly, they had NO KILLER APPs. Basically, they lacked that one or two awesome games that could fully utilize their tech and bring the money in the door via star-struck gaming geeks.

3-D gaming is treading down the same slippery slope by jumping head first into the ravine on something that--since its inception--has proven to be nothing but a temporary fad. We've certainly stepped away from the paper red and blue glasses of old and into a brave new world of cool graphics right in our faces. Everything Yasar said about creating a virtual girlfriend on his PS3 and...what? Oh sorry. Anyway, yes, the technology is catching up to our imaginations. But again, as in the past, these developers are neglecting to consider the consumers financial states.

As we climb out of the throes of a recession, many people who have already upgraded to HDTV and those who are contemplating bargain purchases on new Plasmas are not going to plunk down nearly $3,000 in 6 months to grab a brand new 3-D television. Nor are these same people going to plunk down $30-40 bucks apiece for glasses--no matter how amazing--to fully experience said 3-D experience. 3-D gaming is in the future. The future is just not right now.

Finally, the games first utilizing the 3-D technology will also have to be incredible. Not good or decent, but Mass Effect 2 outstanding. They need to be more than the name on the cover. Just slapping Halo or Metal Gear Solid on the disc won't help past initial sales and hype. The actual games would have to be above and beyond anything else on the market and I just don't see that happening...right now. Remember, we aren't just talking about 3D graphics. We have had those for years. We are talking about 3D in-your-face, jump-off-the-screen-at-you gameplay. This is a fully immersive experience that is a few years, not a few months away.

In conclusion, Yasar is wrong and I am right--again! Thanks for stopping by our little squabble on the blog. Catch more of the Guy and Yasar show on Twitter @SavingsGCapes and @YasarSavings.

What do you think about 3-D gaming?  Choose a side in the comments!