Are you going to be at CES 2010? We are! Brian Leahy and I are headed to Las Vegas later this week to cover the first major event of 2010, the Consumer Electronics Show. Though the show isn't nearly as gaming-focused as it has been in the past (at one point, it actually used to be the E3 of gaming, well before E3 existed), it remains a prominent nexus for technological wizardry, showcasing innovations that are sure to influence our favorite medium in the years to come.
Before CES 2010 kicks off -- our coverage starts tomorrow -- we're making predictions on the biggest gaming trends coming out of the show that will impact the way you play (and perceive) games in 2010 and beyond. You guys no doubt have some theories of your own, so feel free to chime in.
Here's what we expect to see.
1. In A Post-Avatar World, 3D Is The Next Big Thing*
* That's what the tech industry will be preaching, anyway.
3D is a niche market in video games right now. Capcom has been a strong supporter of NVIDIA's 3D Vision technology on the PC, but in order to experience the new kind of 3D everyone is raving about in Avatar and other recent 3D films, consumers need new monitors and televisions. Such 3D hookups are present in current high-end HDTVS, but it will be some time before they're in the weekly deals at Wal-Mart. At CES 2010, it will be shocking to find a device that isn't incorporating 3D technology somehow, whether it's in your television, computer monitor or the phone that's resting in your pocket. It's the new tech buzz, the new HD. Even if it's not priced consumer-friendly, if you're not thinking 3D, you're crazy.
2. The Way You Interact With Games Is Changing
Games have the unique opportunity to approach 3D from multiple angles -- Wii proved that. 3D visuals aren't the only way to increase the dimensions of entertainment. How you interact with a product is changing. The controller isn't on its way out, but its purpose (and how much sits in your hand) is evolving. Expect a number of tech companies, emboldened by Microsoft and Sony's approaches to motion expected to arrive in 2010, to push interactivity in new directions. Tablets are making a big emergence in the coming year, following consumer's embrace of touch with devices like the iPhone. Whether it's through a camera watching body movements, sensors hooked into arms (Wii Vitality Sensor?), moving fingers across a screen or something else entirely, the controller is changing.
3. Mobile Advancement Begins Eyeing DS, PSP
Nintendo and Sony are sure to remain kings of the gaming handheld scene for some time, but advancements in mobile technology, an increased desire for a device that does everything and the ability to make purchases on the fly rather than through a brick and mortar store, threaten the market those companies have long watched over. At CES 2010, mobile hardware will continue to move forward at a faster clip than DS and PSP, as consumers are more accustomed to replacing their phones every few years than their handheld gaming platform. More developers will show an understanding of what makes games work on a cell phone, increasingly removing the need for many users to have a gaming-specific device. The endgame is a ways off, but it's close enough for Nintendo and Sony to start paying attention.
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So, what are your predictions for CES 2010?
Check back tomorrow evening for the start of our complete coverage of CES 2010!
[image credit: flickr / sugarmonster]
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Comments
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Tygraph
As far as motion control goes, I am VERY interested because since I'm a hardcore gamer I'd like to take into account all possibilities with gaming. 3D is a good idea and fun in theaters but there are too many adjustments that need to be done at home to just to make it happen...and in this day and age it is something people aren't willing to wildly explore. Digital 3D JUST came into effect so people are just experiencing the fresh 'newness' and will get bored after putting up with it. It's like the Wii. It was 'great' when it came out but for everyone who isn't old or 5, it's get very boring very fast and even Adam and Morgan know that.
Beowulf1250
i have a bad feeling about natal and that the ps3 will soon have motion controls as well... to be honest, i don't want these systems to turn out like the wii....sure, motion control is cool, but what if the quality of games goes drastically down like the wii? what if one day we're gaming it up on a ps3 or 360..say..idk call of duty right, having a lot of fun...then bam o.o..this new wave of horrible cooking games comes out...or.. O.O A FITNESS PROGRAM O.O.....you know...i honestly don't play games for a fitness program..LMFAO..anyone could tell you that we play games cuz they're fun... ^.^ exactly why i sold my wii..it just wasn't fun..tbh i don't think nintendo has really been on par since the n64(however they are dominating the handheld market lol)...but ya...i just have a fear that all the motion controlled games aren't going to be epic experiences like running through the streets of liberty city revving a chainsaw. lol... (which would be pretty cool) haha..then a motion minigame to throw someone out of their car...lol.. idk i'm getting kinda off topic...i just don't want my favorite consoles to fail just like nintendo failed me..
Snarf125
3D TVs arent going to require u to wear glasses they have it where the lens for that is on the tv so u wont have to go out and buy more glasses if u had ppl come over or break them. now im pretty sure they have already thought about the ability to turn on and off 3D mode for those who do not care for it all the time while at home. Video games in 3D would be amazing being able to see distance and see if something is 100 meters away or 500 meters away which would be nice for Modern Warfare 2 and noob tubing ^_^ but i would like to keep my controller. Adakazane they do have tvs that are 360 degrees already but they just arent that great and the image isnt that great and i believe its also 3D cant remembers its been a while. Finally with the 3D technology it could be used for more than just your home TV think of teaching kids and the interaction they could have with an image over science and even doctors being able to use it to see a 3D image of a persons heart during surgery.
PS: Avatar best movie ever and ive already seen it 3 times and probably going to see it a 4th before it leaves theaters peace out ^_^
Gwarnine
I can't wait till an interactive panda game comes out so i can finally wear my suit in public! Go XBOX 360! lol.
exiled_vagrant
I kinda even people who can watch movies in 3-D. it hurts my eyes so much that i couldnt use it. the motion sensoring trend makes sense i just dont see it being incorporated well with 20 plus hour games. there will come a time when you just want to use a controller only and i wouldnt want to use my body no more than about 2 hours at a time
Apsalus07
"Ooooh look at me, I hate 3D because it gives me headaches." Shut up ya panzie, not all of us get headaches. I loved Avatar in 3D (opening night) and I'm gonna buy 3D games and movies in the future because I have a brain that can adjust to a new form of viewing.
"Ewww the glasses are uncomfortable." What kind of obstacle is that? Buy yourself some comfortable glasses for $5 and be done with it.
"Its just a fad, a gimmick." Cool gimmick then, I want it. As it is, the games you play are not actually 3D because you view them on a 2D surface. Naturally adding real 3D will increase immersion and thus improve the overall gaming experience.
"3D TV's are too expensive." So were all new technologies at first, where have you been living the past 20 years?
"Putting glasses on and off is hard." LOL
"I don't want to pay extra for 3D, this will only make games cost more." Oh OK why don't you go back to playing the NES because that's way less expensive. If you don't want to pay for progress, you don't have too. We'll just leave you behind.
Doug Otto
Codemasters has really begun tapping into the whole realistic value that can be milked from video games. But I think that some games this year are going to enhance that. If you ask people why they like video games, some might say that you can do badass things that you could not or probably won't do in real life. Be it taking down aliens with a plasma rifle to inventively defeating a puzzle, people want to have a fun, seemingly real gaming experience from mechanics to visuals.
This is why i think 3D gaming and Project Natal will really start changing the way we define the gaming experience. Basically I think companies will start trying to strongly project the badassery in video games to a whole new level. Making games seem more real. Like you're actually running through a giant building taking out half human half robot soldiers with a gun that defies the laws of gravity.
RandyMercer
I said this before somewhere else. I didn't embrace 3D gaming at first, while I'm still skeptical; this might be a good thing. If Sony markets their 3D Games and implement that into their Motion controller promotion strategy they could have a grade "A" marketing strategy for the future. That goes for other marketers of 3D as well.
Gdraven99
I have been playing stereoscopic 3d games on my computer since 1998 and have never been happier to see 3d finally coming to television sets. Anyways eventually all Tv sets will already have 3d built in and its a feature that you will be able to use if you want, its not a "have to" kinda like the surround sound feature that comes built in to most Televisions these days.
LG has already taken their television lines that support over 120hz and are just throwing a port and a chip into them to support 3d. Its really not that big a deal, just a nice new feature if you want to use it.
gEARhead24
are they going to have 3-D prescription glasses for me, then if not then what is the purpose of watching or play a game in 3-D on my tv.
Ghost 462
F$#K 3-D!!! Games are fine the way they are. Not everyone has the extra money to shell out for products that many would consider an exercise in frivolity. Games cost too DAMN much as it is if they driving up the prices for stupid bells and whistles nobody really gives a s#$t about no ones gonna wanna buy them.
achillez77
3 D? When that means holographic I will get it. I got my eyes lasered to avoid wearing glasses, I'm not going back to them for a game.
achillez77
3 D? When that means holographic I will get it. I'm not wearing glasses to play a game.
ianmarvinchua
an iphone 4g would be great and hope that square enix have a release date on ffversus 13 and ff 14 online
mittens1231
Its better if these tvs come ot now because just like the hd tvs came out they were so much money! but look at them now. Almost anyone can afford them!
No doubt same will happen for these 3d tvs. In four maybe five years after they come out, we can all have our tv's and be gaming in new ways.
CyberSzabo
Motion Controls and 3D go away please so I can be at peace!
Curare
If the 3D is going to be as tacked on as what I've seen in theaters I don't want to pay extra for it. Also Capcom was the biggest 3rd party supporter of the Dreamcast and look what happened.
xN7 SNiiPer209x
i say the best thing to do is add an option to view the channel in 3d or regular. so you give everybody a chance to watch in whatever mode they feel like watching
paulbvarela
3D is not the future. its been around for awhile. no one is going to want to put on glasses every time they watch tv at home. its just ridiculous. put on your glasses now.... you can remove your glasses now. ugh that would just give people headaches.
theroofisgreen
I enjoy using a control, not Your body as a controller mumbo jumbo...lol... The reason i didnt mind the wii is because I could still sit down and play. I can stand up and dance around. They are all standing in the Natal video. yes this sounds lazy but over a long period of time It will get annoying especially if you wanna keep playing
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