Close to 400 games are available for gameplay on PC-based platforms and 3D
capable monitors. These are all 2D games that are rendered a second time to
create a 3D perspective. But what does this do to the gameplay? Are the 3D
monitors all the same? Does the driver support for the conversion make a
difference? These are the key questions we set out to answer in this special
test report.
We have taken the perspective of the gamers to evaluate the gameplay for a
number of games on three 3D monitors. We did this to see if this type of
gaming is as compelling to gamers as the various companies involved in the 3D
market claim it is.
Report Objective:
The objective of this report is to provide details of gameplay on 24 different
video games in stereoscopic 3D and determine if such gameplay is truly
immersive and compelling. In addition, we wanted to clearly document the level
of performance, the visual impact on each display and the effect of driver and
hardware implementation.
Highlights:
Step-by-step experience of setting up an S-3D gaming system
Evaluation of S-3D display monitors (iZ3D, Hyundai, NVIDIA/Samsung)
Results of extensive play of 24 titles in S-3D
Reactions of gamers to S-3D
S-3D value proposition summary
Who Should Buy:
Stereoscopic 3D gaming system developers and publishers
PC, graphics card and supporting hardware/software suppliers
Notebook, monitor, projector and TV manufacturers
Active and passive glasses suppliers/developers
Serious gamers
Internet delivery companies
Investors looking for information to support due diligence
Table of Contents
1 INTRODUCTION
2 VALUE PROPOSITION OF 3D GAMES
2.1 S-3D GAMING EXPERIENCE: STEP-BY-STEP
2.1.1 Overview of the S-3D Test System
2.1.2 What went right?
2.1.3 What went wrong?
2.1.4 What was the final result?
2.2 S-3D HARDWARE EVALUATION
2.2.1 Hyundai Monitor W220S
2.2.2 iZ3D Monitor H220Z1
2.2.3 NVIDIA 3D Vision with Samsung SyncMaster 2233RZ
2.2.4 Monitor Performance Summary
2.3 PUTTING THE S-3D GAMING SYSTEM TO THE TEST
2.3.1 007: Quantum of Solace
2.3.2 MS Age of Empires III
2.3.3 America' s Army
2.3.4 Battlefield 2142
2.3.5 Battlestations: Pacific
2.3.6 BioShock
2.3.7 Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
2.3.8 Combat Flight Simulator 3: Battle for Europe
2.3.9 Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars
2.3.10 Cryostasis: Sleep of Reason
2.3.11 Crysis
2.3.12 FIFA Soccer ' 08
2.3.13 MS Flight Simulator X
2.3.14 Half-Life 2
2.3.15 Lord of the Rings: Battle for Middle Earth II
2.3.16 Madden NFL ' 08
2.3.17 NBA Live ' 08
2.3.18 Need for Speed: ProStreet
2.3.19 NHL ' 08
2.3.20 Star Wars BattleFront II
2.3.21 Star Wars: Empire at War
2.3.22 Tiger Woods PGA Tour ' 08
2.3.23 Tomb Raider Anniversary
2.3.24 World of Warcraft
2.4 GAMER REACTIONS TO S-3D
2.5 S-3D VALUE PROPOSITION SUMMARY
3 APPENDIX A: 3D GAMING TEST SET-UP
3.1 HARDWARE SET-UP
3.1.1 Desktop Computer
3.1.2 Laptop Computer
3.1.3 3D Monitor - Hyundai / DDD
3.1.4 3D Monitor - iZ3D
3.1.5 3D Monitor - Samsung / NVIDIA Bundle
3.2 SOFTWARE SET-UP
3.2.1 Desktop Computer
3.2.2 Laptop Computer
Table of Figures
Figure 1: 007: Quantum of Solace by Beenox / Activision
Figure 2: Age of Empires III by Ensemble / Microsoft
Figure 3: America' s Army by U.S. Army
Figure 4: Battlefield 2142 by DICE / EA
Figure 5: BioShock by 2K Boston / 2K Australia / 2K Games
Figure 6: Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare by Infinity Ward / Activision
Figure 7: Combat Flight Simulator 3: Battle for Europe by Microsoft Game
Studios
Figure 8: Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars by EA Los Angeles /
Electronics Arts
Figure 9: Cryostasis: Sleep of Reason by Action Forms / 1C
Figure 10: Crysis by Crytek / Electronic Arts
Figure 11: FIFA Soccer ' 08 by EA Canada / EA Sports
Figure 12: Flight Simulator X by Microsoft Game Studios / Microsoft
Figure 13: Lord of the Rings: Battle for Middle Earth II by EA Los Angeles
/ Electronic Arts
Figure 14: Madden NFL ' 09 by EA Tiburon / EA Sports
Figure 15: NBA Live ' 08 by HB Studios / EA Sports
Figure 16: Need for Speed: ProStreet by EA Black Box / Electronic Arts
Figure 17: NHL ' 08 by HB Studios / EA Sports
Figure 18: Star Wars: Battlefront II by Pandemic Studios / LucasArts
Figure 19: Star Wars: Empire at War by Petroglyph Games / LucasArts
Figure 20: Tiger Woods PGA Tour ' 08 by EA Tiburon / EA Sports
Figure 21: Tomb Raider: Anniversary by Nixxes Software / Eidos
Figure 22: Stereoscopic 3D (NVIDIA 3D Vision) Settings Menu in World of
Warcraft
