GameGrade3D Introduction

Welcome to GameGrade3D (GG3D) – the quality assurance system for PC based stereoscopic 3D video games!  If you’re trying to figure out which games will work well on your system, how to get them to work, and what kind of 3D experience you can expect –  SEARCH NO MORE!

Recent advances have made it possible for many games to be played in stereoscopic 3D on PC.  In addition to stereoscopic 3D drivers by DDD, iZ3D, and Nvidia, we are also starting to see native 3D support by the likes of AMD (HD3D).  Unfortunately, despite these advances, there are more marketing claims than you can shake a stick at, and there is little consistency in quality expectations and results between titles and solutions.

After much time and effort invested by Neil Schneider, Vadim Krivosheev, and Cris Villalobos, we have the solution! 

GameGrade3D is a fully functional system that asks a series of multiple choice questions.  Based on the answers given, a huge database is created complete with recommended game settings, quality expectations, and current GameGrade3D certification ratings.  These ratings adjust and compensate according to what members submit, driver updates, diversified results, and more.

The engine’s back-end is completely dynamic, and we have the means to alter questions, add new options, adjust scoring, and fine tune the process without losing or resetting earlier contributions.

Some of GG3D’s benefits include:

1. GG3D will give gamers an independently developed and credible resource for S-3D game quality and best settings for DDD, iZ3D, and Nvidia S-3D drivers.  It will also indicate the level of native 3D (e.g. AMD HD3D) support where applicable.
2. GG3D is customer driven, and has no vested interests in any one product.
3. Whereas before S-3D quality was subjective, we now have measurable results to look for and improve upon.
4. Game developers and technology enablers now have a non-proprietary quality expectation to aim for, and will see how their solution compares to others through the eyes of their customers.
5. GG3D is dynamic and adjusts with the times. The more gamers submit, especially for games already listed, the more accurate the system is.

New Features

GameGrade3D is based on an early prototype system called MTBS’ 3D Game Analyzer.  Here are some improvement we’ve made since!

1. When selecting anomalies, gamers can attach screenshots and share comments to help illustrate the problem.
2. Each submission can have a driver profile attached.  While this is most applicable for DDD TriDef Ignition profiles, gamers can upload .TXT files for Nvidia and iZ3D equivalents where applicable.
3. The certification mechanism has been revamped to increase fairness and accuracy.
4. Submissions can include a subjective score in addition to the measured approach.
5. Gamers can edit their submissions.  It is no longer necessary to start from scratch every time a new anomaly is discovered or a correction needs to be made.  This will be working after the beta is complete!
6. A “Native 3D” classification has been created to acknowledge titles based on AMD’s HD3D implementation, as well as titles that have additional 3D options built in without the need for a special 3D driver.

Before using GameGrade3D, please follow these steps:

1. Download and install the latest graphics card and stereo drivers available for your system.  If there are updated game profiles by driver developers, it’s encouraged to use them as well.
2. Download and install the latest game patches for the title you are submitting.
3. Download and install the latest DirectX runtime executable.
4. Read through MTBS’ Stereoscopic 3D Anomaly Guide so you know what to watch out for.
5. If you are new to stereoscopic 3D gaming, familiarize yourself with MTBS’ Stereoscopic 3D Settings Guide.
6. Start submitting games and viewing results.  You will need to be an MTBS member to make submissions (free).  Join via the forums.

Where possible, all games are tested according to the ability to achieve a combined depth and pop-out experience as demonstrated in the settings guide.  Games are not penalized for not being able to achieve this!  However, it’s important to test this way because it helps us spot anomalies or problems to be fixed, and it gives fellow gamers an indicator of what type of 3D flexibility they can expect with each game listed.

If you are using an Nvidia GeForce 3D Vision solution, make sure your advanced settings are active so you can adjust the convergence (pop-out) settings.  Where possible, DDD TriDef Ignition driver users are encouraged to use the advanced settings if required (e.g. Gun, Scene, Sky).

In all cases, Virtual 3D (AKA 2D+Depth options) and auto-convergence features must be turned off!  This is necessary because the visual problems and anomalies associated with 2D+Depth are completely different from those you would find with a dual camera rendering, and would not be accurately scored with GameGrade3D.  Auto-Convergence needs to be turned off in the game because camera angle problems need to be accurately scored so they can be properly fixed, and this feature makes consistent separation and convergence settings impossible.  If you think these features make a positive improvement to the game’s stereoscopic 3D performance, please feel free to include your remarks in the comments section – but this won’t impact the game’s actual score.

Submissions should be as accurate as possible.  It helps noone if users submit perfect scores when the game isn’t truly deserving.  Problems can only be fixed if game developers and driver developers know about them!

GameGrade3D is currently in beta, and we expect much more functionality in the near future.  GG3D is an independently developed effort, and while we recognize multiple driver solutions, this should not be construed as an endorsement by DDD, iZ3D, AMD, or Nvidia of this service.