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With 2009 seeing amazing innovations in the field of 3D technology and 2010 slated to be the best year that gamers have seen in a long time, it seems only natural that the two should be combined. The look and feel of games have long been helped along with 3D graphics, but upcoming game releases see technology coming into play to enhance the experience even further.

Crytek in the lead

Photo: Andres_age

With Crytek’s new game engine, CryENGINE3, full 3D capabilities are introduced, allowing gameplay of the kind that’s long been impossible. Hit game Crysis is a favourite for its impressive graphics, but there are few game engines that can handle that kind of data load. An innovation of this kind would allow game designers to create the kind of new game that gamers dream about playing  – one that looks great and has fast and smooth gameplay. The engine would be of the multiplatform variety, which means that games could be designed for consoles such as PS3 and Xbox. Among the game releases demonstrated by Sony earlier this year was a 3D version of Gran Turismo, and audiences were amazed by its performance.

The future in 3D

As early as last year’s Game Developer’s Conference in San Francisco, 3D games have been demonstrated, and some say that once 3D gaming takes off, HD will pale in comparison as 3D becomes the standard for new releases. At this conference, it was suggested that the next move that needed to be made was the design of game creation tools. Now, with only a few days until this year’s game developer’s conference, it looks like that’s a step that’s been taken boldly and confidently. The production of 3D games is very difficult technically, but it would seem from new game demonstrations that the gaming world’s top developers are up to the challenge.

Getting the goods

It could be a while before true 3D games are available, but, then again, the speed at which the world of 3D has grown has surprised many. Developers say that the main problem they anticipate is that gamers won’t want to invest in new releases in 3D until they have the technology to support them, and of course are unlikely to buy equipment for which there aren’t many games. At the moment it looks like the 3D game-playing will continue to rely on the use of 3D glasses for truly optimal visual quality.

What does this mean for future game releases?

Recent game engine technology means that game developers will be able to add a new edge to old favourites, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see a variety of all-new – and possibly mindblowing – games on the market. Perhaps it’ll take a while for consumers to become convinced that 3D gaming technology is something that they really want or need, but with 3D television screens already available and a number of 3D game releases in the development pipeline, it seems likely that gamers’ tastes will soon catch up.