Sony Looking Into Virtual Reality 3D
See Full ImageAw, remember the Virtual Boy? Man, that thing was cool. ...didn't work so well but still.
Sony Worldwide Studios senior director Mick Hocking told Develop that his company is working on a prototype device to test virtual reality. At first, the unit just displayed in "high-end 3D;" the device features twin OLED screens - one for each eye - that eliminates information crossover problems. But further developments have allowed Sony to implement head-tracking, which might lead to a full virtual reality gaming experience. Said Hocking:
"At the moment it’s just a head-mounted display; the head isn’t being tracked – but that’s something we’re doing R&D on.
I have to say, what we’ve done in the R&D projects has just been fantastic. We’re working with a couple of games at Sony that are experimenting with virtual reality type experiences."
Right now, they're experimenting with a few games, including first-person shooters. There are no other details at this time, but it gets one thinking, doesn't it? Personally, I never really got involved in the whole 3D gaming thing; it just doesn't seem as immersive as I would've expected. But virtual reality...? Might be nutty.
Tags: sony, game news, 3d games, virtual reality
7/18/2011 9:46:27 AM Ben Dutka
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Comments (30 posts)
Stabs88
Monday, July 18, 2011 @ 10:12:37 AM
1 up, 0 down
Dreno
Monday, July 18, 2011 @ 12:08:05 PM
I effin love .hack
And I been waitin for along time to hear about some vr. I'm so excited I think I just wet myself.
0 up, 0 down
Qubex
Monday, July 18, 2011 @ 10:03:28 AM
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I guess Sony are thinking it is time to push the bar yet again, however I do not see it replacing a PS4 outright.
Realistically, the PS4 would probably still come with a controller of sorts, however the Reality 3D head-tracking system could be sold as an add on.
Similarly; we have the ability to play current (and future) games in either 2D or 3D... I expect the user to have choice of playing the same game in Virtual Reality - should the tech and game engine permit it.
Again, it is another way to consume entertainment really.
Don't be surprised when movies start to appear that give you the ability to "look around" your environment. Depending how it is filmed (Google Street View camera rig is a rudimentary example)... it will be similar...
Its all about giving the user new experiences, and if Nintendo and M$ don't do it, Sony will.
To survive in this industry you have to innovate, however it does come at a price, and pricing toleration is all important in this day and age of austerity...
Q!
"play.experience.enjoy"
Last edited by Qubex on 7/18/2011 10:10:11 AM
6 up, 0 down
Highlander
Monday, July 18, 2011 @ 10:25:04 AM
6 up, 0 down
Qubex
Monday, July 18, 2011 @ 10:37:55 AM
Q!
"play.experience.enjoy"
1 up, 0 down
gumbi
Monday, July 18, 2011 @ 1:31:11 PM
Maybe they could go PS Eye style with a camera mounted on the headset and some special mocap style gloves with accelerometers built in. Of course, then you have the issue of character movement (maybe a low profile analog nub on the side of each index finger, then you could just make a fist and move around via traditional controls)... yeah I know, now I'm pipe dreaming, but just imagine the object interactions and the Minority Report style menu systems they could implement with full VR hands.
Last edited by gumbi on 7/18/2011 1:31:30 PM
1 up, 0 down
Highlander
Monday, July 18, 2011 @ 3:03:52 PM
0 up, 0 down
Xzer0
Monday, July 18, 2011 @ 10:09:55 AM
Reply
1 up, 0 down
Highlander
Monday, July 18, 2011 @ 10:22:13 AM
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One thing that struck me from the beginning of Home is that in a sense Home is the jumping off point for something significant. The advent of Move potentially drives it further, and if the Home engine supported 3D rendering modes as well, it would really be getting very close to having real virtual reality at home. Imagine you are using your PS3 on a 3D TV with the glasses, you have your Move controller in hand ad are using Home, with a headset providing audio and microphone, you are already in a virtual environment the likes of which hasn't really been seen in a home environment, and that's just putting the existing technology together. Imagine how this could go further with a notional PS4 system running an improved Home client along with these OLED Glasses. That could truly bring this 3D virtual reality to life for us.
Fast forward to the future please...
4 up, 1 down
Qubex
Monday, July 18, 2011 @ 10:42:42 AM
Similarly in a game world... can you imagine Red Dead, or Skyrim?
I always dreamed of this in the Starwars Universe. Look around the cockpit of your X-Wing as you are flying by one of Vaders' Battle Cruiser... what an experience - and realistically a PS4 could do it - full stereoscopic 3D in 1080p 60fps with VR head tracking...
Damn-it!!!
I WANT IT NOW!!!
Q!
"play.experience.enjoy"
3 up, 0 down
Highlander
Monday, July 18, 2011 @ 12:07:01 PM
The thing is that while we are gaming on a 2D screen that we look at whether standing or sitting, technology like Kinect and move is limited in the way it can handle things. However if you put the screens in front of the eyes on glasses with head tracking as well as a Move controller set in your hands, you are now in a position to be interactive within the game, to look around by moving your head, and moving sing the Move controller. That combination would really make that 'dream' of being in a truly interactive game a reality, and it's really something that can't be done while we are still dancing around like fools in front of a camera based system (move or Kinect). The reason I am saying it can't be done wth the current motion control systems is that the screen itself represents a fixed point that the player has to constantly reference, with the screen being 'head mounted' in glasses, the screen is no longer fixed, and as the head moves so does the point of view. That would be a huge departure for such systems and a major advancement in the retail technology - if/when it comes to retail.
Last edited by Highlander on 7/18/2011 12:09:01 PM
1 up, 0 down
Nlayer
Monday, July 18, 2011 @ 3:50:28 PM
This technology does exist and I think Sony could make it even more amazing if they tried.
0 up, 0 down
Eld
Monday, July 18, 2011 @ 10:54:46 AM
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2 up, 0 down
Highlander
Monday, July 18, 2011 @ 12:09:42 PM
1 up, 0 down
DcIronfist
Monday, July 18, 2011 @ 11:01:07 AM
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I am curious about this for sure :)
0 up, 0 down
maxpontiac
Monday, July 18, 2011 @ 11:12:46 AM
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Virtual Boy was ahead of it's time, and the technology was not there.
Here is to hoping Sony's next virtual reality system is an amazing one!
1 up, 0 down
bigrailer19
Monday, July 18, 2011 @ 11:29:57 AM
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Last edited by bigrailer19 on 7/18/2011 11:30:54 AM
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Omnipro
Monday, July 18, 2011 @ 12:32:41 PM
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It has been several years and many new technologies have been developed since then like OLED screens. So a nice VR visor would be lighter and smaller than the old headsets.
I can also see this working with the PS Vita as well.
0 up, 0 down
sha4dowknight05
Monday, July 18, 2011 @ 1:14:22 PM
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we'll see how they unfold.
0 up, 0 down
Lawless SXE
Monday, July 18, 2011 @ 1:33:25 PM
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EDIT: May I just drop in something I wrote a couple weeks back on this very topic, regarding the history and potential future?
http://www.velocitygamer.com/pt/Gaming-Technology-and-Trends-Virtual-Reality/blog.htm
Last edited by Lawless SXE on 7/18/2011 1:37:29 PM
1 up, 0 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Monday, July 18, 2011 @ 2:16:17 PM
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1 up, 0 down
RadioHeader
Monday, July 18, 2011 @ 2:56:58 PM
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0 up, 0 down
BikerSaint
Monday, July 18, 2011 @ 3:59:49 PM
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Yes,yes,yes Sony, I want,I need, & I gotta have!
BTW, I still play a bit of Mario Tennis now & then on my Virtual Boy. Just gotta pick up a lot more games for it too
1 up, 0 down
SolidFantasy
Monday, July 18, 2011 @ 4:59:07 PM
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Why can't we just plug into our minds Matrix style? That might be our final frontere.
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WorldEndsWithMe
Monday, July 18, 2011 @ 5:06:29 PM
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Last edited by WorldEndsWithMe on 7/18/2011 5:07:31 PM
2 up, 0 down
JMO_INDY
Monday, July 18, 2011 @ 5:46:09 PM
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We must also bring in price... yes I know the dreaded Realist in me is coming out. If SONY is to have any success with yet another Peripheral... which I assume will be a PS4 accessory not a PS3 one. Depending on how far in development this thing is and when exactly it will be implemented in conjunction with the PS4 and it's price, we should watch out for the cost of entry into the pool of VR gaming. You'd be looking at possibly a new camera, the headset itself, and a 3DTV if it is deemed necessary for the headset..... things are going to get expensive REAL quick.
They would be smart to not release this thing too soon after the PS4 is released in order to avoid drowning the customers wallet and entry fee into the new generation.
2 up, 0 down
___________
Tuesday, July 19, 2011 @ 3:49:36 AM
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had a cylinder typed LED screen too looked really cool!
great, thats all we need more people walking around and spewing all over the place like they just finished 2 bottles of sambucca!
0 up, 0 down
duomaxwell007
Reply
Monday, July 18, 2011 @ 10:02:59 AM