3D PS3 gaming coming via firmware update in 2010

By Tom Magrino, GameSpotPosted Nov 19, 2009 3:02 pm PT

[UPDATE] Japanese electronics giant says all consoles will benefit from stereoscopic depth-of-field technology after downloadable patch.

Sony hasn't treated its aims at fully entering the stereoscopic 3D landscape with much secrecy. At the 2009 Consumer Electronics Show, Sony showed off Polyphony Digital and Evolution's MotorStorm with full depth of field using the emerging 3D display technology. Representatives of the Japanese electronics giant also said in September at a German tech conference that Sony would begin manufacturing a PlayStation 3-compatible 3D Bravia HDTV by the end of 2010.

This would pop out of the screen with 3D glasses.

What's more, Sony reps said that it also plans to integrate the stereoscopic 3D technology directly into the PS3 beginning in 2011 or 2012. Now, Sony has thrown its full corporate weight behind its intent to integrate stereoscopic 3D into the PS3 as part of a presentation given to media and investors today.

As part of a slide titled "5 Key Advantages of PlayStation 3,"Sony said all PS3 units would eventually be given a 3D display mode as part of a future firmware update. The company also said that it will release a line of 3D games that make use of the technology. However, it did not indicate when the firmware update or the 3D-compatible games would come to market.

[UPDATE] Sony's entrance into the stereoscopic 3D market will come sometime next year. Speaking alongside the aforementioned presentation, Sony Computer Entertainment CEO Kaz Hirai confirmed that the PlayStation group will begin enacting its 3D strategy in 2010.

"Next year, in tandem with the Sony 3D TV product launch, PS3 also plans to launch 3D game titles--not just first party, but we are actively supporting third-party software developers 3D game development," Hirai said. "Finally, I'd like to announce here today that all PS3 sold since the 2006 launch will support 3D through firmware update."

"HDMi enables high-quality output of 3D video, and the cell processor's SPU performs video decoding which allow us to support new codecs through a software update," Hirai continued. "As a result, through a network software update, our customers will be able to instantly enjoy 3D games without replacing their existing PS3 consoles."

Aside from new games, Sony has previously indicated that the 3D tech could also work with existing software. At the aforementioned German exhibition, Sony set up the prototype unit with a PS3 showing off existing games, like WipeOut HD, being played in 3D. Company reps said the technology on display was built into the HDTV itself, meaning it would work with preexisting PS3 games and consoles.

450 Comments

  • penguins227

    Posted Feb 7, 2010 6:51 pm PT

    Question: to get an existing game in 3d, say Battlefield Bad Company (which truly would be AWESOME in 3d), you would need to buy a brand new TV that outputs in 3d AND glasses to go with it?

  • big-boss-91

    Posted Jan 30, 2010 3:34 pm PT

    if anyone seen Avatar in IMAX 3D, you would remember people yelling out at the beginning of the film "MY EYES!! IT HURTS!!", more reason to bring 3D! i love it!

  • Ghost345

    Posted Jan 29, 2010 2:41 pm PT

    meh

  • Judgester

    Posted Jan 19, 2010 12:37 pm PT

    I wonder how much a 3-D HDTV would cost...

  • Sscnum21mvp

    Posted Dec 10, 2009 2:57 pm PT

    I couldnt play this for very long. 3D makes my head hurt

  • Tylendal

    Posted Nov 23, 2009 2:19 pm PT

    Wow. Yet another reason to get a PS3.

  • tmacaalin

    Posted Nov 22, 2009 11:32 pm PT

    mmm....
    i think you need atleast 120Ghz HDTV to do 3D?
    im not sure....

  • xblane

    Posted Nov 22, 2009 2:07 pm PT

    @Zerabp Sony are in the business of TVs also... I think they'd want to move a few more of them

  • bouddajay

    Posted Nov 22, 2009 11:26 am PT

    I wonder if there are any negative effects of using 3d glasses for long periods of time??

  • solidine

    Posted Nov 22, 2009 10:14 am PT

    @KaizerJinn
    True enough. I'd like to think that it would actually be really cool, if not useful, but I'm looking at this the the same way I do movies; most of the ones that are in 3D suck, and none of them have been ones I wanted to see.
    If something is good, it'll be good with or without a 3D gimmick, if it's bad, 3D might make it worse. Stuff designed around it, with #D in mind from the get go, could be neat though.
    I guess we all have to wait and see.

  • TripSe7en

    Posted Nov 22, 2009 9:38 am PT

    @ fuzzthedog
    Its called natal.

  • Zerabp

    Posted Nov 22, 2009 8:59 am PT

    So will this work on any 120hz and up HDTV or just the new 3d ones. It seems stupid to bother if you're trying to get people to buy a new tv. They can also still easily make money of just selling the glasses as a peripheral if it's the former if its the latter i won't bother out of principle.

  • KaizerJinn

    Posted Nov 22, 2009 8:27 am PT

    @solidine
    good point... i see where your coming from trust me. i was never a real fan of 3D effects, BUT you never know until until it comes into fruitation. until then thats what forums are for to speculate. LoL. =P

  • Zartan3000

    Posted Nov 22, 2009 6:29 am PT

    This is awesome news! Won't be able to afford a 3d Bravia util it's been out for like 5 years.. but with 3d specs it should still work on a a normal tv.Could be Sony's answer to Natal and the Wii remote.

  • kamizuka

    Posted Nov 22, 2009 3:18 am PT

    i agree that this gen should last longer, the ps3 is very powerful and even now they didnt use the full power of the ps3 nor the Blueray(they are using 50gb but ofc they can use the 80gb in the future

  • Fists1

    Posted Nov 22, 2009 1:59 am PT

    Cant wait for the day all sunglass lenses are treated with film for sony's giant 3D "Bow to us or Die" bilboards, and of course their forrays into the entertainment industry.

  • kingdevil2

    Posted Nov 21, 2009 11:59 pm PT

    holy cow this kicks my ps4 thinking butt! This is gonna be my love of my life (to bad i have 1 already)

  • bisonfan2010

    Posted Nov 21, 2009 9:50 pm PT

    Man if the ps3 will start playing 3-d games..(which is going to be totally freaking awesome with the motion sensor controls that are coming in 2010)

    The ps4 isnt going to come until the world ends lol. ( i would almost bet that the next generation would be putting something like a bunch of sensors in your bedroom then it will transform it into virtual reality lol.)

  • acer_062

    Posted Nov 21, 2009 8:31 pm PT

    Great job Sony. Nice to know my PS3 is future proofed for yet another cool feature.

  • solidine

    Posted Nov 21, 2009 6:17 pm PT

    @KaizerJinn
    It would be nice if it was both free and optiona;, but I'm a little suspect about that.
    This would be the first of 3D gaming with the intent to make it commonplace. Frankly, i can't imagine Sony not trying to pocket some cash for such a feature.

    Either way, I don't know how they'd do it. I'm not a tech-wizard, I don't know how this stuff works, or could work, but I don't see how they could do it without marketing an accesory or some kind.
    If all PS3's and HDTV's can be given the ability to display in 3D, it stands that watching movies on the PS3 could benefit as well. if that's the case, people woud buy PS3's instead of those 3D TV's that are supposed to e in the works.
    That would be a huge money loss since Sony no doubt would intend to get in on the action of 3D HDTV's, even if they sold more PS3's as a result.

    Still, I guess any assumtions are premature at this point, so it's irrelevent.
    Frankly, I don't even care about 3D, but maybe that'll change if I go see a 3D movie.
    Having the option would be neat though.

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