Sony preps Develop 3D showcase as Japan freezes on TV upgrades

Sony is preparing to stake its case for 3D gaming at Develop in Brighton this month, despite a Japanese survey today showing that nearly 70 percent of those questioned have no intention of upgrading to 3D TVs this year. Why? Because the glasses are turning them off.

Respondents blamed the need for wear glasses, costly TV sets and scarcity of general content for lack of interest, the survey by Kakaku.com showed (via Reuters).

The numbers aren't small, either: 70 percent said the hassle of wearing special glasses put them off, 57 percent said prices were too high and close to 40 percent said there was not enough 3D content.

Of those questioned, 67.4 percent said they were not interested in buying a 3D TV while only 31.2 percent were considering or wanted to purchase one, the survey said.

The online survey ran June 10-16, receiving responses from 8,957 people.

Gaming firms such as Sony and EA pushed 3D titles in their E3 press conferences this year, with Sony in particular making big efforts to evangelise the fledgling feature.

Sony continues western 3D push

Unperturbed by the news from Japan, however, Sony said today it's to showcase PS3 3D at Develop later this month.

SCEE senior director Mick Hocking will give a lecture on the future of 3D for games at the Brighton conference on July 15.

Hocking’s presentation - 3D: The Next Dimension in Gaming - will take the audience through the history of 3D entertainment, "from its humble beginnings back in 1850, to its breakthrough into mainstream entertainment in the present day," explaining why Sony believes 3D is now here to stay.

“I’m really excited about being able to give this talk and giving Develop attendees the chance to play some of our 3D titles for themselves,” said Hocking.

I’ll also be sharing some of the unique tricks and techniques required to create a top quality 3D gaming experience.”