Bravia 3D HDTVs to begin shipping later this month
Sony issues a friendly reminder that its initial batch of PS3 game downloads ready for stereoscopic 3D displays will finally go live starting tomorrow. The PS3 is already capable of supporting stereoscopic 3D technology in new and upcoming HDTVs since its free April firmare update. Of the initial four 3D-ready titles to be released tomorrow on the PSN, only two are actually full games: WipEout HD and Super Stardust HD. MotorStorm Pacific in 3D will be a demo, while the PAIN download features the new 3D-supporting portions of the original release.
They certainly won't be the last PS3 titles Sony intends to release in stereoscopic 3D. GameTrailersTV's Geoff Keighley reports from Sony's 3D press conference today that the company is planning to release no less than 20 titles supporting 3D display tech by the end of the current fiscal year. No other details were made available, and whether or not this provides the incentive gamers need to actually make the jump to 3D HDTVs will depend on what games end up being on the horizon.
As in Europe, Sony will be bundling its upcoming Bravia 3D HDTVs in North America with a voucher good for grabbing the initial four PS3 3D game downloads from the PSN at no extra charge.
Sony Confirms PlayStation 3 3D Launch Lineup For U.S.
Sony Computer Entertainment America on Wednesday confirmed the first 3D stereoscopic PlayStation 3 titles on the official PlayStation blog.
3D versions of the downloadable PSN games Wipeout HD, Super Stardust HD and PAIN will be available beginning Thursday, as well as a 3D demo for MotorStorm: Pacific Rift. The games are available tomorrow in conjunction with the pre-sale availability of 3D capable Sony Bravia TVs.
SCEA has been showing off the 3D versions of the games at industry events for some time, with a Japanese launch of the 3D games recently revealed, but only now has the company officially confirmed a North America 3D launch lineup and date for the titles.
In April, the company released a firmware update for PS3 that added support for 3D stereoscopic gaming. An update that will add 3D Blu-ray movie support is also in the works. 3D games and movies will only work with a compatible 3D television.
SCEA also said that The Fight: Lights Out, one of the first games to use the new PlayStation Move motion controller, will also be available in stereoscopic 3D.
Sony will be giving away PlayStation Network vouchers to new 3D capable Bravia owners so they can download the 3D games.
In March during the Game Developers Conference, a member of SCE's 3D stereoscopic team told Gamasutra that "a lot" of internal SCE studios were working on 3D games.
