Killzone 3D: The Verdict On Our Own 3D Hardware

NowGamer: Brilliant. Mesmerising. Generic. Grey. Dull. Electric. Vulgar. Lacklustre. These are all words that have been used to describe the Killzone series at one time or another. But, if there’s on thing the whole world is largely in agreement of – if not whether any game thus far in the series is any good – it’s that, visually and aurally, Killzone has always represented the generational zenith...

[HorsePowerr]

"You can see the problem. We desperately want to tell you just how much 3D has taken its toll on the visual fidelity of Killzone. We want to lament the hexagonal curves, the low-resolution textures, the 720p that’s about as native as a conquistador. But we know what we’ll get if we mention all of that. We’ll get the whole ‘This is pre-alpha’ speech and to be frank, we want to avoid that, so instead we won’t mention any of those things we’ve just mentioned."

Oh look, he thinks he's funny.

[jimmins]

It's better you're only ever told what you WANT to hear.

[Double Toasted]

You win the "Genius" award today. Take a bow...

Edit: KZ3 does look good though.
Edit: Why did I get a disagree? I absolutely agree with jimmins, and so I gave him the "Genius" award. Don't be hating on jimmins...

[brazilianbumpincher]

before fanboys attack realise the graphical upgrade guerrilla could have made with killzone 3 if sony didnt insist that they add 3d? 3d means the graphical engine has to overlap the image with another,that takes alot of processing power and taxes the engine,processing power that could have been utilised in upgrading killzone 3 like naughty dog did with uncharted 2,ps3 is a absolute beast but for me ps4 would be better suited (or wait till devs have completely worked out every trick of the ps3 without any compromises to progression of said title) right now for the sake of selling tvs,glasses etc, the trade off is not worth it.what percentage will actually get to even play these games in 3d? 10-5% maybe

its bluray all over again,sony pushing 3d into peoples faces at an extortionate price range as with ps3 in its infancy which not only mounted huge debts and losses for sony many thought ps3 would ruin the company and it nearly did,price cuts saved the ps3,difference is £1000+ 3d is not as needed as say...a new playstation was.

i commend sony on trying to think far ahead but not at the sake of hurting their franchises

[Conloles]

So there you have it, PC the only true (seemingly only good) 1080P 3D platform!

[cryymoar]

With Sony's developers working this hard on 3D games that work only on the PS3,
imagine how much better 3D games on the PS4 are going to look, especially if Sony is planning (from what rumors I have heard) to use the CELL, Bluray, and XDR again. Not sure about the GPU though.

Either way, that means that with the next wave of consoles, Sony is going to be leading the pack in terms of graphics, size, depth, everything. And it will be much cheaper than if the market had waited till then to start pushing 3D and 3D TVs.

Edit: Even if it is Bluray all over again, look how far it has become. At least Sony can say they've been down before, and then completely overtook the market. As opposed to Microsoft who had all the money in the world for advertising and promoting, yet their format died extremely quick. Perhaps Sony knows about entertainment technology more than you think.

[gatormatt80]

Most 3D tv's today can take a 2D image and convert it into 3D. I wonder how Killzone 3 would look running the 2D full resolution game and converting it to 3D using the tv's processor

[DaTruth]

So, PS3 games in 3D will have the same resolution as 360 games in 2D!

LOL!

If they are disappointed in PS3 3D, I can only imagine how disappointed they are with the 360 as a whole!

[PSFan100]

@brazilianbumpincher
"the graphical upgrade guerrilla could have made with killzone 3 if sony didnt insist that they add 3d? 3d means the graphical engine has to overlap the image with another,that takes alot of processing power and taxes the engine,processing power that could have been utilised in upgrading killzone 3 like naughty dog did with uncharted 2"

That isn't necessarily true, KZ3 will only be downgraded in 3D, it will still look better then anything else on a console, in 2D. Also it is good that Sony are making their games with a 3d/2d option, because when 3D tvs come down in price and working class folk can eventually afford one, we will all have extra content to go back and play.

[Theonetheonly]

right now this story is 540 degrees.

same resolution the game will be in 3-d

kinda cool how that matched up for me.

[SaberEdge]

I think some people are misunderstanding things. The graphics will only be somewhat downgraded for 3D, but 2D will offer the amazing graphics that we are all expecting. What Guerrilla said about the optimizations for the 3D aspect of the game positively benefiting the graphics performance of the 2D version makes sense to me.

I think the non-3D version of Killzone 3 will surpass what we saw in Killzone 2, while the 3D version will have some cutbacks but will be amazing in its own right because of the 3D experience it offers.

[hakis86]

It's not just because Sony wants to sell 3DTVs. There are other manufacturers which sell 3DTVs as well. I am buying a Samsung - cheaper.

It's not Blu-ray all over again, you can easily buy and play Killzone 3 in "2D". And probably Killzone 4. And Uncharted 3. And Uncharted 4.
They are not forcing 3D. Be realistic.

Anyways I'll post my own impressions as soon as I get my 3DTV (delayed=( ), but I've read a lot of impressions and people are generally impressed/thinks it adds something. If people can't see the 3D effect on PS3 or at the cinema, it's most likely because they need to visit the eye-doctor =) (in need of contacts/messed up depth preception).

[secksi-killer]

does not look "much" better than killzone2, then it's because they optimised and tweaked the engine so much, that there really wasnt much left that they could do with it!!!

is this a criticism? no way! killzone2 is simply stunning in the graphics department! will killzone3 still be the best graphical FPS this.... im 100% certain that will be the case

[Thrillhouse]

HorsePowerr, not everyone is going to have the same opinion as you. Get over it.

[TROLL EATER]

not enough people play killzone 2 anyways. maybe 3 online playin in 3d for killzone 3
http://www.bungie.net/
Halo 3 logged in players online: 691,879

http://www.killzone.com/kz/...
Killzone 2 players online: 2573

Central U.S. time: 11:31 am

[Panthers]

Its obvious that Halo has a lot more players online. I really didnt care for KZ2 online. Still, you dont need 600K people to have fun. 2000 should be enough to find a good game.

[ProjectVulcan]

3D done as it is being done eats processor cycles. Its a fact of life and you cant escape from that. It is admirable that the current generation is trying its best to offer up value and improve its longevity, but this technology is really only going to work without compromise for HD games on newer hardware designed for the purpose and not adapted like the four year+ old consoles- PC in other words.

[PSFan100]

While that is true Vulcan, isn't GT5 suppose to look outstanding in 3D? Also others like WipeoutHD and Pacific rift demo look really good.

[ProjectVulcan]

I didnt say it couldnt be done, i said there were compromises. Often heavy. GT5 3D reports already suggest the framerate is reduced, possibly even its resolution too. Without 3D wipeout is an astounding 1080p 60 frames a second title. With it, its confined to 720/30. Wipeout 2D was designed WITH 1080/60 in mind. In its 3D transition, it can retain a HD resolution and stable framerate, albeit heavily cut back to allow 3D. Now imagine enabling 3D on other titles that already push the limits 2D @ 720/30, like the killzone engine.

Is it really a surprise that the visuals could suffer, often quite heavily? Most console games are designed to be 720/30, the consoles dont usually manage more than this, only a very few select titles sport more resolution especially- dozens more are sub HD. Throw in 3D to that mix and you have a recipe for further cutbacks. Its inevitable with performance on console already at a premium for mere 2D 720p.

[PSFan100]

I wonder what the sacrifices would be on GT5 then? I would also like to know, the comparison of a 3D enabled game to a 2D game that is being converted by the actual TV into 3D. It's annoying because there is such a lack of information/reviews on the subject.

[jerethdagryphon]

iz3d has a interesting solution the 3d images are displayed on 2 different stacke lcd screens

but anything like this will tax the system

[MisterAV]

you can also use different texture, high def for 2d and low for 3d. Many games do already that when doing splitscreen because it requires more power. Also for some game may do the same as stardust, when they implemented 3d also improved 3d reaching higher resolution and more antialias...

[jacobdevos]

This is also what i'm hoping for. My biggest fear is the ps3 going 3d and leaving a 2d audience with a product that looks even AS GOOD as the 3d one. Knowing that the 3D ability takes its toll on the ps3, leads me to demand a higher quality 2D product because of the lowered overhead on the ps3's hardware.

[DigitalAnalog]

"before fanboys attack realise the graphical upgrade guerrilla could have made with killzone 3 if sony didnt insist that they add 3d? "

Maybe you missed what the guerilla games dev mentioned to hiphopgamer. He asked "what do you think is better, kz3 with or without 3d? Naturally the engine with 3d is better that would mean the engine is more optimized. Think how much better the performance would be in 2d!"

There goes your nonsense 3d theory outside the window.

- End statement

[brazilianbumpincher]

you just contradicted your own babble,

facts are to optimise the engine to use 3d means its detracting from what COULD be used for optimising the graphics further,thats FACT, and people in the industry like peter moore are all expressing a concern of what utilising 3d actually takes away from a game ie frame rate,graphical upgrade etc

and the fact that you need to put 'end statement' at the 'end of your statement' says it all about you really

[DigitalAnalog]

Selective when reading comments do you?

"Maybe you missed what the guerilla games dev mentioned to hiphopgamer"

Did you PURPOSELY miss that line alone? Sure they're not word for word, but it WASN'T my opinion on that matter. Or did you just want us to take your word over Guerilla?

-End statement

[hobo51]

this guy just wants to stur some shit up with that statment, mans needs to relax and give verdicts in ferberaury when the game actraully comes out unless this guy has a DeLorean that can jump through time, then he can say watever the fuck he wants

[elpresador]

....since most of the 3D tvs cost the exact same to produce as a standard tv.

At least some stores are doing great promos for 3D tv. RC Wiley is selling a really good 65" 3D tv with a whole living room set for $2500, now THAT is a deal.

[Dellis]

The game looks better without 3D, this whole 3D stuff just
lowers the graphics

[raztad]

Even if that turns out to be true when game ships (which I totally doubt) you are not forced by any means to play the game in 3D.

EDIT: I'm confident the doubters/haters will be eating a lot of crow yet again in Feb/2010, as they did las year. Some people never learn.

[WLPowell]

So while the competition is trying to catch up in the 2D realm Guerilla can take their engine to 3D... and school them when they get there too.

[DA_SHREDDER]

What are you guys talking about? Killzone 3 won't be released until the 3-d is done right. Im not worried about this and neither should any of you. The only thing im worried about is if they get the online right. They supposedly fix the party system and quick game find, but I hope its more than just tdm and more like MAG infrastructure online. COD type of online is boring cause its mindless, i hope that this game is not the case too.

[Colonel-Killzone]

Killzone never had a party system. Listen Killzone is Killzone and Mag is Mag. It will not be like Mag played both of them and they require different tactics online.

The Party system your talking about is the Squad system. GG said that Killzone 2 could never have a party system because they could never implement it onto the game for some reason. There will be a party system in Killzone 3 I guarantee you that. Because playing with friends on Killzone 2 was a nightmare.

[jneul]

lol you know the funny part i bet i was a certain fan of a cetain console that wrote this, the fact that x360 can't even do stereo 3d says it all, we already pretty much hit the peak for normal graphics, now it's time to experiment with stereo-3d

[Thrillhouse]

Saying something negative about a PS3 game = ZOMFG 360 FANBOY!!!

[Chromer]

Not everyone blindly follows Sony however, when you make an idiotic statement about a game that is still in pre-alpha, you come across as guess what?

An idiot.

[OC_MurphysLaw]

It's par for the course on N4G these days. You say something negative about either console and you get labeled. Sadly though...I would guess about 90% of the time it's probably a correct label here at N4G.

[AK46]

Why! It has been done before, and vice versa.

[BornToKill]

can't afford 3d anyways...

[BeaArthur]

For me it's not willing to pay for 3D.

[Dorwrath]

Will be playing this in normal, could careless about 3D.

[mac_sparrow]

ahhhh, the bastardisation of the English language.

[Mucudadada]

Oh look, I said this at E3 and everyone hated me for it. Hopefully they polish it up before launch, but right now 3D is totally no worth it.

[AK46]

How would you know, if you haven't seen the final product yet?

[Mucudadada]

I played it at E3. The build I played was this build and it wasn't a super positive experience. But, yes, hopefully the final build fixes the issues.

[Fishy Fingers]

3D will ibviously hurt the quality of the visuals, your basically running the game twice. But the plus point is, the engine team struggling to hit Killzone exceptable visuals will allow more in 2D, more effects, more FPS because of the extra engine refinement.

The long and the short of it is, 3D will actually improve the 2D.

[Kleptic]

well said...and GG more or less confirmed exactly that...the work being put into the renderer to make it 'acceptable' in 3D is definitely helping the 2D overall...how far beyond killzone 2 the new game goes 2D wise is still unknown, but judging by the level shown so far...it definitely still stands on its own visually...

[Chris_TC]

You can't count on the 2D version necessarily using better effects, textures, models etc. It's possible, but it's a lot of additional work for the developers.
It's more likely that the 2D mode will literally just be the left eye viewpoint with all game assets the same as in 3D and the benefit of double the frame rate.

[Omega Zues]

How DARE Killzone3 have an option for 3D in it! Quick judge it soon as possible! We'll be sneaky and call it a "preview".

bwuahahaha...

[Colonel-Killzone]

Yawn Whatever I'm gonna still pick it up. This article is nonsense anyway avoid reading it.

[jimmins]

Perchance holding your fingers in your ears and singing 'LALALALALALALALALALALAAAA AAA'?

"Avoid reading it".

Bloody hilarious.

[Colonel-Killzone]

Um no I read it you fucking moron. And I pretty much got that the author makes no god damn sense in what he is talking about obviously. Thats why you threw your disagree like a child.

He said how it played like Killzone with worse graphics LMFAO. When Killzone 3 trumps Killzone 2 in the graphics department. Thats all I needed to realize the author of this article is a complete dumbass.

I'm here to tell other posters not to read it. Obviously he didn't like Killzone 2 so the chances of Killzone 3 impressing him is almost impossible. Please I'm to grown to do the poke my eyes out and hammer my ears to avoid the truth.

[Chris_TC]

The guy who insults another poster, drops the f bomb and acts like a kid has five bubbles.
Why? Well, his name is Colonel-Killzone and this is N4G. Surprised he doesn't have 20 bubbles yet.

[STONEY4]

"He said how it played like Killzone with worse graphics LMFAO. When Killzone 3 trumps Killzone 2 in the graphics department"

You're the one who's not reading. He specifically says IN 3D it looks worse. Duh, this is common sense. You're rendering the same scene twice from two different angles, essentially cutting the framerate in half. And for playable 3D, you need a base of 60fps before splitting the image.

Now Killzone 3 runs at 30fps. How do you think they get the 60fps minimum for 3D? They lower the resolution, lower texture quality, polygon count, ect. Graphical reduction is inevitable.

This doesn't effect the 2D mode, which means that when you're normally playing, the game will be at it's full quality. Switch to 3D though? Sub-HD, lower overall quality, probably worse looking than Killzone 2.

[Colonel-Killzone]

Bubbles has nothing to do with sounding smart. My name is Colonel-Killzone because that used to be my old PSN account name. Nobody on N4G has 20 bubbles go somewhere else with your sarcastic bullshit. I got my 5 bubbles because I'm not a troll. I forgot your implying I'm a ps3 fanboy. Feel free to think what you want even though your completely wrong. I'm a fanboy because My name has killzone in it ok that makes sense.

@Stoney4

In 3d Killzone 3 looks worse then Killzone 2 yea I will judge that for myself when I purchase the game. So far all I been hearing is nothing but praise for KZ3 in 3D. But with love comes hate.

[trancefreak]

Im down with the colonel on this one. In fact this is the first time I have heard anything negative about kz3.

From all the post e3 articles I heard that guerilla has put tremendous effort into this game. Infact i read that the graphics were even in enhanced from kz2 with direct streaming, and 10 times larger levels. Also their are new mechanics and weapons + we've seen the videos that ;look nothing but suprb. People were saying around the net that it infact was looking better than kz3 on consoles and looking 2nd to the pc version obviously.

Im not wsting my time posting different links im just going on recollection and accounts i remember reading so take it as you like.

Ontop of the graphics we all heard the story would be a huge upgrade along with some of the best animations for video game along with some destructible environments. And the bonus if you choose so is the 3d implementation so either the offer has super high graphics taste or he is spewing fud. I would like to see or read his thoughts on another console fps perhaps the competion such as reach. Ill wait for that article to surface if it does.

And one last thing I always think colonel killzone has fair posts and unbiased IMO.

[inception123]

*sigh* yeah it hurts the graphics yet everyone who has played it (the only people whos opinion matters) in 3D has been blown away comparing it to avatar. people just never get tired of being made to look like fools by sony do they? you were wrong about kz2's graphics, you were wrong about blu ray and many other things and will soon be wrong about 3D.

[AK46]

I totally agree. I gave a disagree to you by accident.

GG are tech junkies and believe they will have the 3D issues all worked out for KZ3.

[DJMarty]

What you fail to grasp is sony isn't the only Brand pushing 3D to sell TV's. Try Samsung, Panasonic, LG, Pioneer. Even sky is on it pushing set-top boxes and content.

3D's hear to stay.

[SuperStrokey1123]

Its optional, thats all i need to know.

[ArchangelMike]

I agreee with DJMArty, All the major TV manufacturers are developing 3D TV's, and so are TV providers such as SkyTV, Virgin Media etc. It is the movie industry that is pushing 3D, and it is only Sony that is really pushing 3D for games. 3D IS here to stay, it is the next mediatech evolution, we just have to accept that.

I would advise not to be an early adopter, because the tech will obviously go through a number of iterations in the first few years before it stabilises and a 3DTV standard is reached. unfortunately this will have an obvious impact on the first batch of 3D games that are to be released. Not enough 3DTV penetration at launch, and those who do have 3D TV's, will be (as evidenced in the article) only 3D 'Ready' TV's, which really means it's sub 3D, or a cheap alternative to 'True 3D' (£1,400?). (In the same way as you had 'HD ready' TV's released, before the 'True HD' TV's hit the market.

I recently found out at an in store 3D demonstration that I got really bad nausea after a few minutes of watching the demo. A few things though, I was not standing dead centre of the TV as there were a number of people per demo sets, and the particular demonstration video was not 'True 3D', but was a HD video that was upscaled to 3D i.e. a 3D ready TV.

All I'm saying is that there are alot of factors to consider when playing a game in 3D, Killzone 3 or other. I'm going to be at the Sony Beta Rooms in Birmingham UK this weekend, and I will have the chance to sample the Killzone 3D that has been doing the rounds. I'll post my thoughts in the forums or something. I'm desperately hoping the nausea thing was only due to a bad 3D tech demo, and not that I can't play 3D games :(

[gijsbrecht]

I'm somewhat jealous on you being able to play KZ3 in 3d. Hopefully I'll see your thoughts about what you experienced.

[ArchangelMike]

I'll give you a shout about the event when I get back Sunday night (I've managed to hussel my way into both days with a friend, (he's my +1 on the Saturday, and I'm his +1 on the Sunday!). Killzone 3D and Motorstorm Apocalypse (3D) are my main attractions, although all the other Move stuff will be there as well. Here's hoping I win the Motorstorm tournament and nab myself the Sony Bravia 3DTV!!!!!

p.s. If Anton turns up (unlikely) I'll be over the fkin moon to chat to him.

[labaronx]

the game still is an early build, so i hope there "journalistic integrity", (hard to type that without laughing), allows them to keep an open mind until the final product is released......

[writersblock]

The article starts off straight dissing the entire killzone franchise

I stopped reading, its obviously written by someone who doesnt like killzone in the first place so they'd be jaded about the whole experience

[elpresador]

..."Thee are things that have been used in the past to describe killzone at one point or another." He wasnt dissing the franchise, he was using adjectives that have been trown around in the past, never once did he say he agreed or not witht them.

[JuLiAn18D7]

This guy is a total idiot. You said you didn't wanna hear it but here it is. IT'S IN PRE-ALPHA STAGE. If anything the 3D will make the game look BETTER w/ out the glasses. *Face palm*

[WLPowell]

used to be a completely valid excuse for Alan Wake not looking as good as Uncharted 2.

[xg-ei8ht]

Nowgamer, enough said.

But besides that, i don't think the public will jump on 3d straight away. I won't be.

[BABY-JEDI]

in the same category as Future publishers (ie Edge) -3 for 3D. This is sadly to say going to happen.....PATHETIC

[gamingsucks]

How embarrassing. Sony actually think 3D is going to make the ps3. It's just another gimmick. gaming sucks these days.

[wolfofashes]

I can't believe how stupid some people can be...3D in Killzone 3 is the real stereo which means you have to render the frame twice.Basically they are rendering killzone 3 two times on screen for the effect,they could use other types that are less taxing like the one used for Crysis 2 but it's no real 3D...and the effect can fail to work on different angles depending on user position towards the screen.If you seriously think that rendering a game twice for 3D makes devs forget to improve their code for the 2D you are blatantly WRONG.Current Killzone 3 2D build not only runs with much more quality,polygons and effect on screen than the previous installment but it does that at 60 FPS.GG devs said that themselves in an interview,that's true,to put it plain and simple they are rendering the frame twice which means that it's mandatory to get a much much better performance on their engine 2D side than any 2D engine on the console market.Besides Sony its not demanding that GG or any of it's first parties puts 3D in their game,It's a choice made by the developers themselves,a pretty wise one since they want to improve their code further at least to meet or either push farther than Uncharted 2 and God of War 3 that are the current graphical kings of the generation (on the tech side).I'm pretty eager to see what will keep coming out of Sony's First Parties,not only because of their amazing skills but strong will to push tech forward.Of course Sony devs have the most powerful console(PS3) and handheld(PSP) at their disposal but the tech it's pretty dated compared to current computer rigs,still they are doing the best they can with what they got to do things no one imagined it would be possible on consoles.But hey if you read the first paragraphs of the article you will see how the guy is trying to downplay the franchise,and the game by ignoring the fact that it's the Pre-alpha code,yeah I brought that up because the pre alpha it a pretty early stage in development.So you can't evaluate the tech by looking at the pre alpha by any means just see what the devs goal is.

[IWentBrokeForGaming]

cause you're not gonna get me to wear those lame ass glasses!!

[stuntman_mike]

what was the point of that article?

I think he tried to weakly cover his own back with the pre-alpha stuff. the thing is its is only pre-alpha.

makes the article seem like a fanboy rant.

[turgore]

killzone 3 is a great looking game...probably the best out there. I'm not willing to play it in 3d if it will look like crap (textures and jaggies).

[Baltis]

Sony's need to push worthless, niche 3--d, is going to hurt the graphics and potential of all their games. Too bad. Sony is making fools of themselves.

[thehitman]

Much ignorance these days is sad...

[ColecoVision]

I tried Killzone 3 3D at Comic Con and thought it looked fine. But for me the glasses have to go.

[onanie]

Playing K3 in 3D is optional, and some people will trade absolute graphical fidelity for depth perception (which to me, is an entirely new and welcome experience).

This article is but one opinion, and one that i'll respectfully disagree with.

[xg-ei8ht]

I'll judge for myself when the time is right.

60fps does not feel right to me in MW2. It's smooth but the animations don't look right.

Problem with KZ2 was it was not locked at 30fps.

It had framerate drops which impacted it's aim speed and lag.

30fps is fine if it is stable.

[Sheddi]

I dont get it...why do people say 3D is a gimmick? To me it seams that it is a step forward in the TV evolution. From b/w to color, from SD to HD, now HD to 3D. The only negative is those damn glasses that u have to wear! Dont like them that much :P

[Prcko]

wow :O