Topic: F-Zero (gc racing game idea)

[Mannypon]

I just saw Spy Kids 3 the other day with my niece and to anyone thats seen it and remembers the racing portion of the movie, then they know how much it resembles f zero and xgr or whatever that acclaim racing game was called, I seemed to have forgotten at the moment.  But I was thinking, since the movie is in 3d if a game could be made in the similar fashion, aint sure how 3d is made but it seems to be different frames runnin at the same time or something.  With the right tv and all, I can just imagine how it would be if say f zero was made in 3d to give the tracks more depth and realism.  I'll like to see what everyone thinks bout this and if they know anything bout 3d in movies, if its possible to be applyed to a game and if it'll be worth while.  Only downside to a game of that nature is that you'll get a serious headache from long hours of play cuase watchin the movie did a number on my eyes lol.  If anyone's seen the movie then they'll have a better idea of how I'm seein a 3d f zero.  If it can be done, then I hope someone does it eventually, even at least for one track in a game just to get a feel for what customers think of it cuase if it can be done, it'll really make for some sick games and really bring in a new level of 3d gaming besides the polygons and all that.

[dafunkk12]

They released 3D glasses technology quite a long time back for the PC, and actually, I think someone released one that's supposed to work with consoles.  But the headache problem you mentioned is indeed one of the primary drawbacks of the technology.  How it works is by calculating the proper 2-dimensional skew to apply to 3D images to make them properly pop out.  In essence, the overall framerate is halved because of the need to double the frames to be shown, one for each eye.  There is an eyeglass peripheral that is synced up with the framerate to cover one eye at a time, depending on which eye is supposed to see the current displayed frame.  I think the technology has somewhat improved over the years, but it still doesn't work perfectly.  I don't see how these sorts of systems currently advertised for consoles could work, since there is no way to program a console to do all the necessary calculations without it already being coded in the software.

Long story short:  yes it's possible, and its already been done.

There is another possibility.  Each color has an inherent warm or cool property.  Warm colors, like yellows and reds, move into the foreground, and cool colors, like blue and purple, move into the background.  I'm sure you've had experience with those 3D glasses with clear lenses (vs red/blue ones) that make this possible.  Also, if you have messed up (or super-powered?) eyes like I do, you can also experience this effect with no additional aid (I often see the different colored writing on the boards at school hovering on different planes).  The benefit of this is that images won't have to be generated in headache-inducing red & blue psychidelia.  However, the downside is the amount of planning time to produce a properly functioning image.  I originally thought that Spy Kids 3D would be done in this way because red/blue 3D glasses technology is so archaic, but upon deeper analysis of the trailer, I was confused as to why a character wearing purple would be in the foreground while a character wearing red would be in the background.  Turns out I was wrong.

[Mannypon]

I've never tried any of the glasses for games but I'm guessin that they cant be really that hot if the games werent coded to take advantage of them from the start.  Thanks for the info though.  It would be hot though to play an fzero type of game with even simple 3d affects, it'll really make things stand out and give a better sence of speed I would guess.

[dafunkk12]

If you have a pair of those clear-lense 3D glasses on hand, you could go ahead and give it a shot.  The simple act of reading magazines, watching TV, or playing video games takes on a whole new dimension.  Harharhar!

[Oldskool]

NO MORE SPY KIDS! NO MORE DARN SPY KIDS! PLEEEEEEEEEEEASSSE!

[Nigel]

Rad Racer for the NES has a 3D mode.  I think it's when you press the "select" button.  It works with those normal blue/red glasses.  But since it's been ages since I've had a pair of those in my house, I can't remember how bad the headaches are.  

[Mannypon]

dam rad racer lol, its been a while since I played that game, that one was a goody.

[Termin8Anakin]

3D is so mind bending. It works  great, but I think people's eyes would detriorate in triple the time that normal video games take.
Hell, My sis got glasses from simply WATCHING me play.
I don't need glasses though. HeeHee.