Has the 3-D hype bubble finally burst?

[Evil Eye]

(CNN) -- The evidence that people are getting tired of 3-D continues to pile up.



The latest bad news comes from Nintendo president Satoru Iwata, who in an interview with The Independent admitted that interest in 3-D is perhaps slightly on the wane again.



Although Nintendo will continue to offer 3-D in its handheld gaming devices, it won't be a major selling point, says Iwata:



So, now we've created the 3DS and 3DS XL and also have some games out there that are really using that 3-D effect that we can see, from my point of view, that it's an important element. But as human beings are this kind of surprise effect wears off quickly, and just [having] this 3-D stereoscopic effect isn't going to keep people excited.



Iwata's view that 3-D is slightly on the wane seems like an understatement. You needn't look far for other signs that 3-D is failing.



Consider the box office. Although studios released 19 more 3-D movies in 2011 than the year before, 3-D box office revenue fell by 18% in the U.S., or about $400 million, according to the Motion Picture Association of America.



Last month, 3-D attendance hit a record low for the opening weekend of Pixar's Brave, with just 32% of revenues coming from 3-D, says the Hollywood Reporter. While The Avengers fared better, with a little more than half of sales coming from 3-D tickets, it's not even close to the 83% 3-D revenue that Avatar enjoyed in December 2009. The days where you absolutely had to see a hit movie in 3-D are over.



The 3-D TV situation isn't much better. Sales of 3-D televisions are on the rise in the U.S. according to The NPD Group, but only 14% of consumers who might buy a TV in the next six months say 3-D is a must-have feature.



Most people just think of it as future-proofing — something that might be nice to have. Even Samsung, the world's largest TV maker, admits that 3-D TV hasn't lived up to the hype, and the company is now exalting web-connected smart TVs as its next big source of growth.



It's easy to guess why 3-D is struggling in movies and television sets: People don't want to be burdened with 3-D glasses, or worry about eye strain, and pay a premium for the privilege.



But Nintendo's cooling attitude toward glasses-free 3-D signals a deeper problem: Even once you remove the pesky glasses, the novelty of 3-D wears off. That's a pretty staggering admission from a company that put the term 3D in the name of its handheld.



At least with 3-D hype deflated, media and tech companies can focus on more important things. Samsung can put more effort into smart TV. Nintendo can work on adding more features and new entertainment apps to the 3DS. I know this is a stretch, but maybe Hollywood can stop putting out so many bad movies.



Those all seem like better alternatives than fooling your eyes into seeing another dimension.

Source: http://edition.cnn.com/2012/07/13/tech/gaming-gadgets/3-d-hype-bubble-finally-busted/





How do you feel about 3D?

 

[DrLeftover]

I can't watch 3D, even what does not require the glasses (which never fit).



Most of it hurts my eyes, and some of it gives me a headache.



And, evidently, I am not alone.

 

[Evil Eye]

And, evidently, I am not alone.

So I hear. You're not missing much really.

 

[Katatonia]

It's unnecessary. If I'm watching, say, a quality movie, then I wouldn't mind it, but I prefer 2-D. Kind of adds specialness to movies imo.

 

[JetWing34]

Having a 3DS is one step closer to great technology. Turning 3D mode on is controversy because it hurts your eyes if you have epileptic problems. There is no sense into using 3D technology nowadays. It needs to be dropped entirely.

 

[DrLeftover]

It was a gimmicky fad.



While it will always be around, the 'in' part of it seems to have passed.

 

[Sinon]

I love my 3DS, but I never play it in 3D mode. It's too finicky and requires exact positioning for it to look right.

 

[Jazzy]

I can't watch 3D, even what does not require the glasses (which never fit).



Most of it hurts my eyes, and some of it gives me a headache.



And, evidently, I am not alone.

Same here!

 

[DrLeftover]

Same here!

But I think you look good in the glasses ... .... well... with or without.

 

[identityissues8]

It was a gimmicky fad.



While it will always be around, the 'in' part of it seems to have passed.

Exactly.

My wife and I saw the rerelease of the Lion King in 3D too...We thought it was a whole new film. -.-

So probably expect more rip offs like that...



...We were the only ones in the cinema...I know right, idiots!