MS considered 3D tech for Xbox 360

by Xav de Matos { Jul 6th 2008 at 7:30PM }

Think about this for a moment. Preparation for an evening long session of Halo 3 could have included snacks, beverages, console, game disc and a stereoscopic 3D display. According to a July 3 interview with GamesIndustry.biz, XNA's general manager, Chris Satchell, said Microsoft considered the tech for console gaming.

In an excerpt from the interview, Satchell revealed that Microsoft actually looked into using stereoscopic technology (seen in the upcoming Ubisoft game Avatar and Texas Instruments' upcoming DualView TV) for gaming. Ultimately it was determined the need for special glasses made the idea impractical. "I think it is hard to be mainstream with asking people to wear headgear to play games," he said. We'd prefer the headgear above, thank you.

While technology is being developed to overcome some original obstacles for stereoscopic displays, Satchell believes the possibility of the tech is, "very interesting." As Joystiq pointed out, we're officially one step closer to the "Holodeck," people! Awesome?

[via Joystiq]

Tags: chris-satchell, future-of-gaming, interview, stereoscopic

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Van Faulk @ Jul 6th 2008 7:46PM

So, Lone Star, now you see that evil will always triumph because good is dumb.

Daniel @ Jul 6th 2008 8:45PM

The schwartz is strong with this one!

mattclarkie @ Jul 7th 2008 3:23AM

But it makes a loverly Shepherds Pie.

psyborg @ Jul 6th 2008 7:50PM

MS loves to play it safe.

Scott Talbot @ Jul 6th 2008 8:03PM

I think I would tip over often...

JSBeckerist @ Jul 7th 2008 2:30PM

MY thoughts exactly.... That looks fun...if I played games sober.

EdgeOne @ Jul 6th 2008 8:40PM

Love that pic every time I see it.

Why didn't they at least make it an option? Seems it would be easy enough to turn on and use as an accessory. Too expensive to develop for the few of us that would have used it?

Still can't believe the Sega Master System is the last gaming console to have 3-D glasses for it. So much for VR

Tucker @ Jul 7th 2008 11:21AM

WRONG. VirtualBoy! Woooo!

Sagar @ Jul 6th 2008 8:41PM

I'm glad that this wasn't actually used. It would've been a gimmick, and it would've quickly gotten annoying wearing a helmet or glasses every time I wanted to play Xbox.

Bayli @ Jul 6th 2008 9:10PM

I'd wear it just because it makes you look like a futuristic Big Daddy! :D

Barbie Fu @ Jul 6th 2008 9:24PM

did anybody help get that tv off that poor kids head?

Superstar90 @ Jul 6th 2008 9:26PM

OH I love that game, "Desktop Staring: 3D".

KrAzy Che3To @ Jul 6th 2008 10:05PM

Haha, nice one. I didn't even notice that it's a desktop. It's almost like the Guitar Hero picture of them rocking out to the dashboard.

Is this psychological advertising, like instead of showing a 3D reality game, they show a desktop (aka buy Windows not 3d reality) or the Dashboard (aka Buy x360 not guitar hero).

Maybe the government's behind this too.. is Google a possibility?

Deus Legend @ Jul 6th 2008 10:05PM

I think something like this would be rather expensive.

Mr bonaqua @ Jul 6th 2008 11:45PM

Is that Big Daddy from Bioshock ?

mattclarkie @ Jul 7th 2008 3:22AM

Damn, you beat me to it.

'Run, Big Daddy's coming'

vidGuy @ Jul 6th 2008 11:51PM

It'd be just like Microsoft to wait until some other company has a huge hit with stereoscopic visuals then come out and say, "well we thought of it first!" haha, well it was a good move, the market isn't ready for it yet but give it another generation or two and at least one of the major consoles will feature stereoscopic (or similar 3D effects) visuals AND motion controls. Anybody remember the PS2 commercial for PS9? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CZXZM6TFb4

Bluemanrule @ Jul 7th 2008 12:01AM

I would like to see it in a gaming console. I mean the Wii has the newer, physical interactivity, why shouldn't the 360 have the visual end? If practiced sparingly, like in certain levels of conventional games, stereoscopic technology would be phenomenal. I'd buy it. Please Microsoft, let this be announced that at E3 that we'll see it in 08/09.

Derick @ Jul 7th 2008 3:19AM

Makes sense that they'd explore the option.

I think the next step is inevitable...

but it also makes sense that they didn't take that step this generation.

I doubt it would have been well recieved with the current tech for it...

What's been shown with the Wiiremote and head tracking though? I think that'll be encorporated in the future for sure...

Magic Whiskey @ Jul 7th 2008 3:26AM

I saw Beowulf in ReaLD 3D back in November and it was jaw dropping. The technology is, in a word, revolutionary.

I would be the very first customer to line up for a gaming console that utilized such a technique. I think a pair of viewing glasses like those used with REALD would be just fine. They were black plastic frames with clear lenses (no color).

Couple the tech with a 3D-ready HDTV and I'd go nuts!

Infinity Ward..I hope you're planning 3D for Call Of Duty 8!

Boff @ Jul 7th 2008 4:54AM

I'd buy in to some stereoscopic/3d gaming. The more immersed I can be, the better.

But I 'd need a neck like Hulk to stop my head lolling about like a newborn baby with that thing on!!

Lupinesithlord @ Jul 7th 2008 11:20AM

I had stereoscopic glasses for the pc years ago...had to have specific hardware (on top of the glasses.) and you know what the dang things never worked correctly...the glasses were a major pain...microsoft made the right call. One thing that this technology never takes into account is people who wear glasses already.