Clearly we've had "3D" games for a while, if by "3D" we mean 3D graphics. And if we're talking about "real" 3D, like a hologram, we're not there yet. "3D" this time around means stereo vision. Different images are sent to your left and right eye via goofy goggles and confuse your brain into seeing depth. Anyone who's seen Avatar on a decent screen in 3D knows the effect is pretty cool. Anyone who's seen Avatar in 3D and has vision problems, crappy glasses or a bad seat has their doubts.

Yes. Through two firmware updates the PS3 will be made compatible with 3D Blu-Ray movies and 3D games respectively. While the current PS3 models don't support HDMI 1.4 (3D is one of the features of the new 1.4 spec) they will support 3D through the HDMI 1.3 port of existing systems.

Probably. Information here isn't very easy to track down. The general consensus is you need a TV that supports at least 120Hz. However, there are TVs out there being advertised as supporting these higher refresh rates, but it is in fact a misleading claim. These TVs take 60Hz inputs and up them to 120Hz output probably through a trademarked, made-up word for a feature. There's no definitive list of compatible TVs yet, so if you're in the market for one, you may want to wait until this summer when the 3D features come to the PS3. The "3D-Ready" Sony Bravia TVs are the obvious models that will work, but beyond that we don't know for sure yet.

Yes. While there's a possibility of new display technology that doesn't need the glasses coming out at some point, there's been no word on whether the PS3 will support such a device. What we know now is the PS3 will require LCD shutter glasses that will flip on and off each eye so you only see out of one eye at a time. The refresh rate of the TV required ensures that you see a 60fps 3D effect. It's reported these glasses will cost from $50-60.

Sony's made no official announcements though they have shown off demos of Super Stardust HD, Gran Turismo and Avatar (the game) so it's likely those games will. I imagine it will be largely up to the developer of games to choose to support it in new games, or to patch older games to support it.

While it is fairly easy to get a game with 3D graphics to output in 3D, it must do so at a high frame rate for the illusion to work. Some 3D graphical tricks and effects look fine on a 2D screen can look strange when presented in 3D and would have to be reworked. Things like 2D GUI elements, cross-hairs and text can show up incorrectly in 3D. For any combination of these reasons, or even low demand for the feature, could keep a developer from adding 3D. New games are more likely to support it since many of these issues can be addressed more easily during development than through a patch.

There's been mumblings about supporting it on a per-game basis (MotoGP will support it according to reports) via the PlayStation Eye camera, and it would certainly provide a hologram-like effect when combined with 3D. However, as if everyone needing a pair of glasses in the room weren't enough, head tracking only produces a believable effect for the person who's head is being tracked. It will be cool for single player but whoever else is in the room won't appreciate it.

This summer! That's all we know at the moment, but I'll update this post with more information as it becomes available.

Sorry, at the moment 3D TV is the only promise being fulfilled for the future we were supposed to have by now, so enjoy it! Unless you have vision problems, in which case you have to wait for your bionic eyes. They should be available in 2110.

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