Curse

cebalrai · Jan 28, 2011, 06:20 AM // 06:20

Looks like GW2 took out a 3D profile with Nvidia. Support was added on the latest driver.

End · Jan 28, 2011, 06:26 AM // 06:26

You can do GW1 in 3D as well...although I hear it dosen't work to well in some areas.

I would have been surprised if it wasn't setup for it.

Riot Narita · Jan 28, 2011, 09:14 AM // 09:14

Anything that uses Direct3D works with stereo3D hardware. In other words - pretty much all PC games.
You don't need the hardware manufacturer to provide "support" for any given game.

You normally tweak your stereo3D settings for each game eg. how much you want it to pop out of the screen, overall depth etc.

When the likes of nVidia "adds support", all it means is - they made a profile containing some settings for that game, to save you making your own tweaks.

How well a game works in stereo3D is more down to the game developers, than who made your stereo3D hardware. If they use any "cheats" eg. fire/flame effects that are not made up of real 3D objects/particles... chances are, they won't look right in stereo3D.

GW1 mostly works well, the beautiful scenery really comes to life. There are some of those "cheat" effects occasionally... and the names above player/enemy heads are 2D and not at the same depth as the player/enemy... which looks odd but you can get used to that.

GW2 is being made with stereo3D in mind, and A-net are playing and demoing it with stereo3D hardware. So I have high hopes that it will work very well - maybe even the "must-have" game for stereo3D setups.

RedDog91 · Jan 28, 2011, 02:08 PM // 14:08

^ above 2 posters have it right
btw, all GW2 discussion belongs on GW2guru

Quaker · Jan 28, 2011, 03:58 PM // 15:58

Oh yeah, more 3D crap - bah humbug, no thanks. I wear one pair of annoying glasses already, I don't need or want another set on top of it.

Chrisworld · Jan 28, 2011, 07:15 PM // 19:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quaker

Oh yeah, more 3D crap - bah humbug, no thanks. I wear one pair of annoying glasses already, I don't need or want another set on top of it.

Im just bah humbug about it automatically. I think its a stupid phase and there are much better gaming technologies out there they need to work on. Its also like the new 3D movies and such that you need a new 3D capable LCD tv. Nty.

Riot Narita · Jan 28, 2011, 10:26 PM // 22:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quaker

Oh yeah, more 3D crap - bah humbug, no thanks. I wear one pair of annoying glasses already, I don't need or want another set on top of it.

Use a polarising monitor for stereo3D, and you can use clip-on thin-film filters on your existing glasses.

Quaker · Jan 28, 2011, 10:59 PM // 22:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Riot Narita

Use a polarising monitor for stereo3D, and you can use clip-on thin-film filters on your existing glasses.

As far as I know, 3D gaming doesn't work that way. It uses the nVidia type system that relies on alternating frames and timed shutter glasses. But even if you could use a polarizing monitor (are there any?), I still say Bah Humbug. For me, home 3D gaming (or TV/movies) is not worth the bother or expense, except for some theatrical releases (which you watch in the theatre.).

Riot Narita · Jan 29, 2011, 12:36 AM // 00:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quaker

As far as I know, 3D gaming doesn't work that way.

You need to do some reading then!

nVidia is not the only solution. Any stereo 3D system will do. All Direct3D games will work. Games do not need any "support" from nVidia or anyone else. All their "support" does, is give you ready-made profiles for games, which saves you the bother of making them for yourself.

Polarising monitors have been around for a long time. I use one myself (Zalman Trimon ZM-M215W).

Just needs iZ3D or TriDef 3D drivers. Then lightweight passive glasses when wearing contacts, or clip on filters for my regular glasses. Simple, easy, effective. Works with Windows XP upwards and any graphics card, including my aging Ati graphics card. Downside is lower resolution than shutter systems during 3D, and smaller range of vertical viewing angles. Neither of which is a problem for me.

The nVidia solution is complex and unwieldy by comparison: Heavy, expensive, shutter glasses that need power and a synch unit, and are usless for people who already wear glasses. Plus an nVidia card, nVidia 3D drivers, 120Hz monitor, Vista or Windows7 (nVidia's 3D drivers don't work in XP). Lots more opportunities for hardware failures there. Shutter glasses also reduce screen brightness by 50% when in use, and are prone to left/right cross-talk (ghosting).

Now THAT's "bah, humbug"! And it's not really surprising that nVidia's 3D solution is unimpressive - it's basically the same technology I had in my Elsa Revelator 3D glasses more than 10 years ago.

Quaker · Jan 29, 2011, 03:56 PM // 15:56

And I still say Bah Humbug!

Riot Narita · Jan 29, 2011, 05:09 PM // 17:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quaker

And I still say Bah Humbug!

LOL. Oh well.

Well, at least you now know a bit more about the options if you ever change your mind... eg. when game makers start designing games to work properly in stereo3D. GW2 will be one of those games, and I think it could well change a lot of people's minds about stereo3D.

tghoodoo · Jan 29, 2011, 06:05 PM // 18:05

i remember seeing a clip on youtube of this. some gaming conference where they were playing gw2 in 3D. wait.... here's the link, erm address: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AObnQ4Fsz0
with 3 monitors would actually be pretty sick!

Quaker · Jan 30, 2011, 03:52 PM // 15:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Riot Narita

when game makers start designing games to work properly in stereo3D. GW2 will be one of those games, and I think it could well change a lot of people's minds about stereo3D.

And then I can add all that 3D gear to the pile of Beta VCRs, Amigas, and HD-DVDs.

(3D games/movies may catch on, but I'll bet the hardware will evolve if it does.)