"As a tech journalist who has written articles about stereoscopic 3D hardware and software, I can say from firsthand experience that it's a complex subject.  I've seen credible websites post misinformation caused by a lack of understanding, and I think all journalists would benefit from a standardized and objective method of comparing these solutions." - Don Woligroski, Senior Editor & Technology Reviewer.

Indeed!  A major problem that has been holding 3D back is there really hasn't been a very good relationship between 3D technology enablers and technology media.  Sure, there are press conferences, press events, press dinners, and press interviews, but what role have the media played in actually shaping the 3D industry?  How much better could 3D be if everyone was on the same page as to what 3D Ready really means and how to test for it?

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Sounds good but I'll wait to see if anything good actually comes of this before I get too excited.

P.S. "Sure, there are press conferences, press events, press dinners, and press interviews, but what role have the media played in actually shaping the 3D industry?" Oh no! The Media Elite are taking over my 3D!

Hmmmm

This will be a good test of the rigour of S3DGA. I am always dubious of developer supported 3D games because they are often very disappointing (on 3D Vision anyway). It is often months before they are fixed if at all. Bioshock 2 is a great example of where the devs left their customers disappointed.

I am willing to put the shocking so called 3D Ready launch of Bioshock 2 behind me if Digital Extremes take their commitment to S3DGA seriously - this of course means full depth and inlocked convergence.

Hi Andy,

The biggest advantage for game developers to participate with this is they will be able to help determine and shape the methods for how their games will be tested and reviewed by leading media outlets. The media outlets will have a firm say in coming up with ways to test 3D games objectively on all applicable 3D solutions. In my humble opinion, the reviews and statements that carry the most influence are those shared by the press (and gamers, of course). I mean, if you knew in advance how a website that carries hundreds of thousands of readers at a time is going to review your game and products (the objective portion of the review), wouldn't you want to be sure that your title measures up? That there is some kind of standard to be measured against?

I think this is equally important for the technology enablers too. Don't they want to help shape the methods used to test their products? Don't they want media to be informed of their latest developments, or improve their products based on what influential media participants have to share? I know I would.

The best way to make this effort successful isn't at the armchair level. Promote it to your favorite technology enablers and media outlets, because the more companies in the loop, the better.

As far as convergence is concerned, I'm not in a position to comment on that. This is something that has to be discussed and ratified within the S3DGA press steering team.

Regards,
Neil