I have seen the future of video gaming and it is 3D. This revelation came to me in an around about way since I am not an avid gamer, but I have been battling a four month addiction to Nazi Zombies. An addiction that is somewhat puzzling since I have played quite a few computer games before, going all the way back to Atari and Pac-Man. I have also played such games as Legend of Zelda, Crysis and Call of Duty, the popular game developed by Treyarch. Mostly role-playing games where you have to gun or sword your way to victory, but none of these games have so obsessed my time like NZ has done. Hitler's revenge I guess.
So when the latest COD Black Ops was offered up, truth be told, I bought it more for the Zombie side dish, rather than the main course. However, when I popped the disc into my Playstation 3, the game came up in 3D on my new Samsung 46 Inch 240hz HD 3D TV. I was so surprised because nowhere on the game package was anything mentioned about it being in 3D. I have since re-checked the package and there's no mention of the game being in 3D - invisible marketing perhaps?
Once I started playing Call of Duty in crisp full HD 3D, that's when my revelation came to me. This is definitely the future of computer gaming, if it isn't already. Some of the sequences were so awe inspiring, the only word that comes to mind is "WOW". Even that doesn't give the 3D experience justice, doubt if any words could accurately explain what I was seeing and feeling. Jumping, rappelling, ricocheting, shooting... your way through some of those scenes was simply mind blowing and well... a revelation. Without a doubt, 3D is the future of video gaming.
Actually, it was one of the sequences of running/fighting on the Kowloon Rooftop, which gave me an actual tactile experience so real, you forget that you're actually playing a computer game and not experiencing this in person. Maybe I am getting a little too carried away, or had too many of those holidays spirits while I was playing the game, but still I have never experienced a game like Black Ops before, never.
Nor have I experienced 3D like this before, not in the silly 3D horror movies of the 70's, not in the Terminator 2 show in Orlando, not in the 3D Piranha movie I saw last summer. Not by a long shot.
Now the 3D was not perfect on my system, unless you're looking directly at the TV, there was some small ghosting of the images which definitely tells you you're watching a 3D image. It also made me realize that while 3D has been around for ages and has improved greatly, especially in recent years. However, the technology, both in filming and reproducing of the images, still has a way to go before it becomes perfect. It is like watching the first color movies of the early 40's and 50's and comparing them to the color movies of today.
While watching the recent FIFA 2010 World cup Blu-ray, I could see where some of the 3D sequences such as the street scenes of the children playing soccer and the staged commentators... these came across as more controlled and better presented than the actual football games, although even those where well worth watching in 3D. In other words, 3D and 3D technology still has a long way to go before all the bugs are ironed out. If they can get rid of those awkward glasses, the system would really be perfected. However, I still believe 3D technology has a little ways to go before it will win the popularity and acceptance that HD or High Resolution has accomplished.
Still, in video gaming, 3D images adds so much to the gaming experience - there's no stopping it. The awkward glasses will slow down the upcoming revolution but it will not stop it. As more and more games and 3D content becomes available, full HD 3D will become the next viewing standard for TVs and gaming consoles.
Now, you will have to excuse me, I have just turned the power on and there are bloody monkeys crawling down the walls in full glorious 3D!