Patrick Naud, Executive Producer of Avatar: The Game, Ubisoft (left)
Neil Schneider, President, Meant to be Seen (right)
However, while Variety has earned their tenured place when it comes to covering the movie industry, even the S-3D movie industry, they are clearly out of their element in gaming as demonstrated with this statement:
"While movie-goers are excited about Cameron’s first cinematic release since Titanic, the gaming world hasn’t exactly been clamoring for the title. It will likely do well, as followers of the director and fans of the movie grab a copy – but don’t be surprised if the game fails to crack the year’s Top 10 when they’re calculated at the end of December." - Variety
We can’t help but wonder if Variety has selective hearing. For those unfamiliar, Jeffrey Katzenberg is the CEO of Dreamworks Animation, and is one of S-3D cinema’s top advocates both verbally and financially. Is their malaise towards S-3D gaming at all related to their failure to acknowledge Katzenberg’s infamous words "3D in the home will be lead by gamers"? The same remark which has been echoed two years in a row at the 3D Entertainment Summit? Perhaps more amazing is that in their follow-up interview(s) with Katzenberg, they continually fail to discuss this critical statement, arguably the most newsworthy remark a journalist could ever get his hands on!
When Variety convincingly explains away their two year journalistic gaffe, their remarks about S-3D gaming will hold more water.
We will wait and see how Avatar: The Game performs. It should be made clear that while it has been optimized for S-3D gaming, it is equally playable on traditional console and PC solutions. If the story is sound and the graphics and game play are enjoyable, Avatar has just as much top ten potential as any other title. While the stereoscopic 3D benefits are optional and welcomed, their existence is not a deterrent for hitting a top ten status. As more S-3D HDTVs hit store shelves, it will be a requirement.
EDIT: Looks like Variety has re-awakened our faith in them! While we still don’t agree with their Avatar conclusions, we can now backtrack our earlier remarks and criticisms about their journalistic gaffe! In a separate story, Variety has acknowledged the importance of S-3D gaming through their coverage of Rob Engle’s presentation at the SMPTE conference! In it, Rob echoes Jeffrey Katzenberg’s words:
"(Rob) Engle, the senior stereographer and 3D visual effects supervisor for Sony Pictures Imageworks, predicted gaming and sports would drive early adopters of home S3D TV, and consumers will follow." - Variety
Way to go Variety! This was a story worth printing!
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