From Gizmodo:

http://gizmodo.com/5522804/no-surprise-3d-takes-a-toll-on-ps3-resolution-and-framerates?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+gizmodo%2Ffull+%28Gizmodo%29

No Surprise: 3D Takes a Toll on PS3 Resolution and Framerates

Whatever Sony's promises may have been regarding stereoscopic 3D performance on the PS3, we're going to get what we get. And so far, that's 1080p content at 60fps (2D) turning into 720p content at 30fps (3D).

(Yes, I'm confusing things a bit by calling Hz measurements fps when technically there are two 3D frames for every one 2D frame. But the point is, gamers will see 30fps worth of smoothness, not 60.)

The game serving as our case study is Wipeout HD—one of the few PS3 titles that was rendered in native 1080p/60fps in the first place. Even this title, backed heavily by Sony itself, has to scale things back big time to run in 3D.

That's understandable—you are asking a game, after it's been developed, to render two frames (for the stereoscopic effect) where one would do before. PLUS, you're most likely asking the PS3 to do a ton of 3D conversion calculations on the fly. But if Wipeout starts at 60fps and ends up at 30fps, what will all the games that start at 30fps (probably most, frankly) deal with 3D? Will they run at 15fps?

You simply can't avoid the deficit. And performance issues like frame-tearing—which are very common in current-gen console titles—can't be swept under the rug in 3D. They'll rip your eyeballs apart. So programmers need to keep heaviest load processing in mind at all times in 3D, meaning we're likely to see concessions elsewhere in the graphics, physics, etc.

However, Sony still considers the Wipeout conversion a success. I just can't help to think that HD was already the burden of this generation of consoles. To stack 3D on top—to essentially double the demands of each frame—will prove far too costly for most developers to bother. [Eurogamer via Slashdot]

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I mean, really, who didn't see this coming? From what I know there are some effects you can remove, visual illusions and cues which you get from 3D for free, but in the end you have to render the same image twice. Given that there are games on the PS3 which struggle to keep their FPS consistently over 40, 3D will probably be just a saved for PSN games. I know that my PC is amazing compared to the PS3, and it can't handle 3D without huge drawbacks so I never really believed any of SONY's spin about how amazing it will be.

In the end though, there should be some pretty cool PSN games for it, but I highly doubt you will see anything big using 3D.

I looked for it but it took me long while to actually hit "post" cause I alt tabbed to do something else and forgot about it. I guess just lock this down.

interesting. i will enjoy seeing where this devellps eventually. Not now as3d tv are exspensive.

So only certain games will run viably in 3D.  We knew that.  Question is, in a year and two years, how many will that be and how good will they be.

So this means killzone 2 can't be in 3D?

I hope that places like best buy start having demo areas. I was talking with some friends earlier this week about those "wow" moments I have had in gaming. Playing the Original super Mario brothers. Seeing games played in 16 bit for the fist time. Seeing games in 3d for the first time. First time playing in Hd and first time playing Wii sports. I sometimes miss those moments were I am completely mesmerized. As a kid they happened so easily. Now, I have seen graphics get better so I know they will continue to do so. Motion controls and alternate control scheme will also improve. My first crack at 3d gaming by be the last wow moment for a while, until things really change.

please read this:


Sony Talks 3D Firmware, PlayStation Move
Company gets technical about 3D tech and their forthcoming motion controller.
by Chris Burke

April 22, 2010 - At the 3D Gaming Summit in Los Angeles, Sony Platform Research Manager David Coombes talked about the PS3's upcoming firmware update, how it will affect the console's performance, and what's new with the PlayStation Move.

He also addressed concerns that 3D images will cut the console's processing power in half, saying developers can actually find non-3D information that can be shared between left and right images. Shadows, for example, are generally flat. The PS3's GPU can share that data between left and right eye images, instead of having to render it twice.

Similarly, games that are already capable of running in split-screen will transition to 3D more easily, since they're already designed to display two simultaneous images. By finding ways to optimize 3D, developers won't necessarily have to sacrifice detail or framerates.

http://ps3.ign.com/articles/108/1085581p1.html

yea a game developed from the ground up with 3D in mind, that is also heavily optimised won't see a 50% drop in performance more like a 10-20% drop. But stereoscopic 3D effect doesn't come for free there will be a performance hit. It is possible to make the impact low by cutting certain effects like Depth of field as they are not needed with 3D but don't expect games like Killzone 2, Uncharted 2 or God of war 3 to be just patched for 3D and not make some form of sacrifice like a drop in resolution and/or FPS and with a few effects missing.

yea, that's exactly why they want the Game's made for 3D and with 3D game engines which those you just stated are not made that way.

so it's not expected to work as well.

example:

Coombes also spoke about 3D on the PlayStation 3 from a development perspective. Most notably, he discussed that the 3D experience in PS3 games would always be implemented by developers, not by an automatic conversion process in the PlayStation 3 itself. While TV manufacturers may offer a conversion feature, the PS3 itself will not. In other words, once the console gets its firmware update, that doesn't mean you'll be able to play any game in pseudo-3D. You'll have to wait for the developers to produce an actual 3D version of the game.

I am not going to comment on PS3 3D quality as it remains to be seen what it looks like and what games get supported (my guess is not many)...

I will say that if you want be part of the 3D craze you have 2 options.

PS3 - 299 bucks
50 inch 3DTV - 3000 bucks
Glasses + a few 3D games (if you can even find any you want to play) - 500 bucks

OR

Decent computer - 500 bucks
Nvidia GTX480 SLI - 1000 bucks
Mitsubishi 60 inch 120 hz DLP TV or 3 24 inch 3D monitors (surround 3D) - 1200
Nvidia 3D vision glasses + games (over 400 supported) - 500

Both will play 3D games, both will play 3D blurays. But my guess tells me that one is going to be much supoerior to the other.