This summer Disney is releasing movie tie-in games Toy Story Mania! and G-Force with 3D features that gamers can access through special 3D glasses. The games come with two pairs of glasses so anyone watching the game can also get in on the 3D action. Gamers can play the games in either regular 3D or stereoscopic 3D.
According to Disney, "Rob Neuman, a leading expert in 3D technology and supervisor at Walt Disney Feature Animation, consulted on the 3D effects in the G-Force video game with Disney Interactive Studios and developer Eurocom. Neuman has advised on the 3D aspects of numerous Disney animated feature films."
Both Pixar, which is part of Disney, and DreamWorks are putting a lot of money and marketing behind 3D movies like Up! and Monsters vs. Aliens. Their investment in 3D seems to be paying off for now, but industry critics are wondering how long the trend will last as audiences and companies both feel the pressure of the wilting economy.
Toy Story Mania! and G-Force are the first 3D games of their kind, and it will be very interesting to see how effective it is and how gamers respond to this technology. Even with the updates in 3D technology, some people still experience headaches and/or nausea from watching 3D movies.
"Three-dimensional technology drives the future of entertainment and Disney Interactive Studios is leading the way in video games," said Brian Leake, vice president of technology, Disney Interactive Studios. "The stereoscopic 3D innovation in G-Force and Toy Story Mania! adds to the already fun video game experiences for a wide audience and extends the gameplay by creating entirely new options for players."
G-Force the game will be available for sale on July 21st, three days before the movie itself opens in US theaters. The movie will also be in 3D in some theaters. The game will be available on the PlayStation 3 and the Xbox 360, while Toy Story Mania! will only be on the Wii. Toy Story Mania! will be on sale this fall.
