Why 3D?

I don't see where you are getting this "hardware dictated by software trend." It may be true with PCs because devs can write games that require the newest, fastest _____ card. With gaming consoles it has always been the other way around. Once a console is released, developers have to conform to its specifications or the game won't run.

How was the DS not innovative? Sure, at first I thought it looked stupid, but once franchises that I was interested in started coming out for it, I jumped on the bandwagon. There have been many games that effectively use both the screen and take advantage of the touch screen.

As far as the 3DS goes, there is more to it than just the 3D. It has received a major upgrade in terms of its graphical capabilities, connectivity, etc. So, yeah, maybe some developers will say "screw the 3D" but I don't really see the problem. IF they release a quality game, good for them, otherwise, I don't care because I won't buy it and hopefully they will learn from their experience and make a better game next time.

NOT requiring 3D is a good move on Nintendo's part. Many people simply cannot see 3D for whatever reason and others can't handle this type of 3D without side-effects.

Playing it without the 3D seems comparable to people whipping out their NGC controllers to play Wii games. TKandPBC

How's that? The 3DS has graphics far superior to the DS. The 3DS has the analog stick and the widescreen display. Better connectivity, will soon have Netflix, ect. Yes, the 3D is the main 'draw' or 'marketable feature' of the system, but I think people have taken it too seriously and let it overshadow the sheer graphical upgrade that the 3DS brings.

I also think that developers can still take full advantage of the 3D graphics while still having a 2D mode. Just look at Pilotwings, where the 3D effect can help you judge distances better. You can turn the 3D off, and you'll lose that slight edge, but the developers were still able to use the 3D in a way that helps with gameplay a little, while maintaining a 2D mode. This will be true of future games as well, and we probably won't see all of the ways the 3D can be implemented for the first year or so, because developers are still figuring the console out (this is true of any console's features and graphics). Some devs may make games without the 3D, but as someone else mentioned, who cares as long as the game's good. I'm sure plenty of 3rd parties (like Capcom) will continue to develop 3D games.

*facepalm*F0urTwenty

*facepalm* for me too

Don't you love it when a bunch of people give counterpoints to someone's thread and then that person just disappears without commenting further

Short answer: Its because the 3d fad was growing and growing and nintendo wanted to cash in on it...People can beleive it or not but its true.

Short answer: Its because the 3d fad was growing and growing and nintendo wanted to cash in on it...People can beleive it or not but its true.

SRTtoZ

Nintendo's been working on 3D for nearly 20 years, so no, that's not the "reason" for 3D. You can read about all the different attempts and experiments they've made with 3D on the 3DS's developer section.

Short answer: Its because the 3d fad was growing and growing and nintendo wanted to cash in on it...People can beleive it or not but its true.

SRTtoZ

[QUOTE="SRTtoZ"]

Short answer: Its because the 3d fad was growing and growing and nintendo wanted to cash in on it...People can beleive it or not but its true.

dzimm

How has this technology increased our capabilities? TKandPBC

it makes the games more immersive.. it gives sense of depth not found in even 1080p plasmas...
its so cool to look at ..its more than a gimmick imo..too bad not everybody likes it because of eye strain.

I still have doubts as to whether the 3D will be utilized properly though. Just think about it for a second. What game cannot be done without the use of 3D? Halo wouldn't be Halo without Xbox Live. Uncharted could only be done on the PS3. Other M would be a clunky mess if done without the Wiimote (or rather, a clunkier mess =P). How has this technology increased our capabilities? TKandPBC

Was the 3D ever supposed to be for anything other than eye candy?

I've spent some time with a 3DS, and while it's impressive on a tech level (3D without glasses IS very cool), I have ended up playing everything in 2D. I hope they make some games with a reason for the 3D past the "Oh Neet-O" factor, but at this point games like "MonkeyBall" are simply better using the 2D and the stick as apposed to using the motion control and the 3D. It's an interseting accomplishment to be sure, but at present there's nothing in the software which makes the 3DS any more functional (for ME, perhaps not YOU) than my Lite.

Sweet gizmo, but I really need some software to make it fly. Games like "PilotWing Resort" are tech demos on steroids. I think for anyone to make a call on the thing as a success or a failure at this time is far too premature.

I remain hopeful that the devs will come up with an actual USE for the 3D part of it.

:)

Go ahead and try the 3DS before judging. The 3D effect isn't just "nice looking", it's giving you depth perception. I don't know why console designers have never thought about depth perception in video games since now. What activities do you do in real life with one eye opened? Don't make assumptions. I could assume things pretty much like you're doing. I could assume that since you don't think depth perception is important, you don't play sports or do much anything active which means I could assume you're obese, which I could then assume you hate you're country because obese people in the US alone are costing their government up to $400 billion dollars a year in costs. Haha, nah i'm just elaborating some crazy sh**. But serious, you don't know. Go actually try the 3DS.