The History of Stereoscopic 3D Gaming
March 4th, 2011 by Benj Edwards
If you’ve ever had half a heap’a wunderin’ about the history of stereoscopic displays in the computer and console gaming realm, mosey on over to PC World to check out my latest slideshow. There you will find 21 lovingly-crafted slides that tell the long and varied story of 3D stereoscopy in video and computer games.
Writing about video game history for a computer-centric publication has its ups and downs. While the publication is top-notch, sometimes I think video game fans miss out on the best of my work. So if you think you know someone who might like this piece, please spread the word.
After this yet-another lengthy visual article, I’m thinking about wrapping it up in regards to epic slideshows. Sure, I’ll still do slideshows, just not ones so very, very long and involved.
After you’re done checking it out, I’d love to hear about your personal history with stereoscopy in video and computer games.
And don’t forget: the Nintendo 3DS comes out in the US on March 27th.
March 5th, 2011 at 12:00 am
I really enjoy the 3D glasses for the Sega Master System. It didn’t seem to get me too disoriented. Only complaint is the glasses were too small for my head. The Virtual Boy was great for about 5 minutes and then it was an instant migraine.
March 5th, 2011 at 12:56 pm
That’s interesting about the spinning disc technique used in SubRoc-3D. I played that game a fair amount when it came out. Sega did another 3D coin-op at the time, Buck Rogers: Planet of Zoom, which I assume used the same technique. But I never saw it in person.
As for the Vectrex… I’m repeatedly blown away by how cool that system was. I’ve never yet played one though.
March 5th, 2011 at 10:14 pm
Wow, I had no idea that there were so many attempts to bring stereoscopic 3D to video games stretching back that far. I was aware of some of the items mentioned, but I can’t believe I never heard of the Famicom 3D system.
I still think 3D games (and films, for that matter) will be largely fluff for a while yet. Certainly I’m in favor of the technology advancing, but I won’t consider it as indispensable as say, HD, until it becomes more immersive. I’m talking about true VR and 3D holographic characters interacting with tangible, real-world objects, for example. I’d be genuinely interested in a Mario game where a little 3D hologram of Mario has to navigate such obstacles as the mug on your desk and battle opponents like your household cat.