PS3 Informer

Why Most 3D Games Will Be Sub HD on PS3

An interesting story broke across the wires this weekend when it was discovered that many games will have their graphical resolution downgraded when running in stereoscopic 3D. The recent update to firmware version 3.30 makes the PS3 capable of displaying existing games and new titles in fill 3D on TV sets equipped with the feature.

But as Digital Foundry reported, there are some sacrifices in visual quality when running older titles in this new mode. WipEout HD, which originally ran in stunning 1080p, is downgraded to 720p in 3D it will also run at half of its normal 60 frames per second. MotorStorm originally ran in native 720p but is downgraded to sub-HD resolution in 3D mode.

Here's why the first batch of 3D enabled games -- and likely many of the future releases -- will feature lower resolutions than their non-3D peers. Its because developers must squeeze twice the pixel throughput in order to provide discrete images for each eye. Modern 3D displays work by flicking rapidly between two images on the set, each one slightly offset to give an impression of depth. Special glasses actually contain high-speed shutters that sync up with the TV and allow the correct image to enter the right or left eye in rapid succession.

Developers are faced with a difficult choice: faced with the almost insurmountable challenge of essentially doubling the amount of graphics pushed through the system, they must either sacrifice a smooth frame rate or a full HD picture resolution. Failing to produce a smooth frame rate can result in tearing, the effect that looks like a horizontal streak across the screen where pixels don't line up properly. Frame tearing looks terrible in 3D because it tends to happen in only one eye or the other, cutting up the environment in jarring ways. Given the way that smooth motion helps make 3D games more immersive, we'd definitely prefer that they maintain a 30 fps frame rate and lower the resolution a little bit.

Unfortunately we'll probably have to wait for the next generation PS4 hardware before we can get full HD, a perfect frame rate and 3D all at once. But hey, considering that there is no 3D support in sight for the Xbox 360, we're perfectly happy with developers making a few sacrifices to bring 3D games to our console.

Motorstorm: Pacific Rift may not run at full 720p resolution in 3D, but it does look incredible in first-person view.