Pop out 3D VS depth: which is more important

After reading several accounts of people complaining about how the 3DS's 3D effect doesn't really "pop out" enough, I thought this would be an interesting discussion.

To each his own and all, but it kind of bugs me when people complain about 3D "not popping out." 3D that pops out is honestly more gimmick than anything. The main draw of 3D (movie theater 3D, as that's the only experience I have with 3D) is that it gives the screen depth, not that it looks like a knife is coming out of the screen or whatever. Admittedly, some of the effects are cool, I really like it when ashes or snow or rain drops look like they're right there in front of me, and sometimes some of the action-ish "pop out" 3D is cool, but for the most part 3D should be about depth.

Just look at Avatar. It wasn't about things popping out, it was about making an alien world look entirely real, like you could step into the screen and walk around. I read a few articles that said the 3DS's effect makes the screen seem larger (or to "have more real estate"). I think it's important for developers to try to exploit the depth the system can give rather than the pop out type graphics. I don't need my character to look like he's popping out of the screen. I want him to be where he usually is. And I want the enemies I'm facing to look noticeably farther away than on a 2D system; levels with depth, a better sense of distance so that I know exactly when to strike, stuff like that. And if an enemy makes something pop out now and then, great. But I don't expect things to be popping out all the time, that's just not what 3D is supposed to be about, IMO. What do you guys think?

The main draw of 3D (movie theater 3D, as that's the only experience I have with 3D) is that it gives the screen depth, not that it looks like a knife is coming out of the screen or whatever.

DustinTheWind

The lure of 3D for me is simply that the image looks much nicer with depth. Sure pop-out 3d effects can be neat, but it does often come across as cheesy. But can be done right in the right circumstances. But its really abut the beauty of depth.

Wow, the poll is really speaking!! Good thread BTW DustinTheWind. And yeah, I think that depth is more important, but that doesn't mean that pop out 3D isnt important. A combination of both, with more emphasis on the depth is key.Rod90

Thanks.

I agree, the combination is important. If I had to choose one or the other though, I'd go with depth. And yeah, so far the poll numbers are pretty telling.

Great thread. As with all consoles, it takes a bit of time for developers to learn how to fully take advantage of the systems capabilities, so skeptics shouldnt be so soon to sound the alarm. I'm sure that at some point developers will be able to make more "pop out" effects in their games, but the sense of depth is the key IMO. If the games dont pop out at us right away, it doesnt necessarily mean the system cannot support this.

I like my tech additions like I do for story in videogames: Depth.

There is only so much space between you and the 3DS. There is more space into the depth of the screen.
The 3DS is capable of pop out, before people start to doubt this. Nintendogs + cats uses 3D that pops out when the kitty/pup is close to the screen using its paws and everything.

Sepewrath is completely right.

There is only so much space between you and the 3DS. There is more space into the depth of the screen.
The 3DS is capable of pop out, before people start to doubt this. Nintendogs + cats uses 3D that pops out when the kitty/pup is close to the screen using its paws and everything.

KungfuKitten

Yeah, I've read a few examples similar to this one, so apparently it is capable of it, which is nice. Yay, "pop out" got one vote, it's a real debate now! lol