How to utilize 3D gaming

       As much as I deride 3D as a movie, television, and gaming fad, I was one of the 14 idiots who bought a 3DS. I had held off at launch due to the general lack of worthwhile, "must-have" games, but finally caved in for The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3DS. As I started up the game and began running around Kokiri Forest in amazing, glasses-less 3D, I have to admit, I was really impressed.

Imagine this, but with an extra dimension thrown in.

     But as I progressed further into the game, I found myself using the 3D less and less. It was beautiful, yes, but I wondered, "What's the point?" If I turn the screen just slightly, I suddenly can't see the action, which is kind of more important for an action game than the 3D. So what is 3D good for? Well, let's brainstorm, shall we?

     Immediately, the first genre I think would most benefit from depth is platformers. Haven't you ever been playing Super Mario Galaxy and found a seemingly short jump much farther away, or a canyon-sized space much closer than anticipated?

Or why a grown man whose official profession is plumber takes all of this

craziness in stride?

    Being able to gauge distances seems almost essential in a genre where most of what you do is jump from one place to another. I look forward to Super Mario 3D Land, in order to see how much the depth perception helps and adds to the gameplay.

     Another genre that I find works very well with the 3D-effect is the flight combat simulator genre. Or whatever genre you would fit Starfox 64 3DS into.

Furry simulator? Argument against evolutionary possibilities? Barrel Roll encourager?

Take your pick.

     I found that having that sense of depth and distance made it much easier to visualize how far you were from an obstacle, be it a wall, asteroid, laser fire, or an enemy, and it became easier to maneuver and avoid them. I actually found the game more difficult with the 3D off, and not because the enemies were any harder.

     At the last E3, Sony heavily pushed their 3D technology for gaming, showing off several top titles to the crowd in their beloved new format. Mainly they displayed it using first person shooters such as Resistance 3. But is there any benefit to having shooters in 3D?

     Of course, in real life, depth perception is important in determining a distance from a target, position, etc. But in gaming, where the most complex calculation involved with targeting is how much pressure to push the aim button down, is this extra depth given by 3D really beneficial? Does it add new mechanics to the gameplay? In, my opinion, no. Be it 2D or 3D, wherever you aim is basically where the shot is going. It doesn't really matter how far it is. If you can see them, more than likely you can shoot them, and 3D isn't going to add any info to help you make that shot.

    What about other genres? Can the argument for them really be made that 3D enhances the gameplay? Would a racing game benefit from the ability to truly feel, not just see, how fast you are moving? Would a game like Skyrim gain any benefits from the ability to know, not just imagine, the amazing scope of the land? Would a fighting game such as Street Fighter IV or an action-romp like God of War really gain more figurative depth from the added literal 3D depth?

     The answer, of course, is entirely up to you. It is true that the addition of 3D certainly helps with immersion into the game. How can you not feel like you're in the middle of the action when debris flies right at your face and you actually feel the need to duck? Or the feeling of awe when standing on a cliff in a fantasy realm and seeing the land stretch out before you with an all-too-real sense of distance?

      But do these add to the gameplay aspect? How can developers use this extra dimension to create even more complex and creative game scenarios? That is the million dollar question. The only answer I have is to wait and see what they do. While I believe 3D is a gimmick on its way out, such as motion control, it is impossible to say that the chance for greatness isn't there.