Wow, what a distinction a yr makes.
Final yr at CES, Samsung debuted its first 3D gaming monitor as a prototype. It labored, fully glasses-free, and it definitely impressed me on the time. But it surely was removed from excellent, and you possibly can inform it was nonetheless early in improvement.
However this yr, it’s turning into an actual product, and I attempted out this new model at CES 2025. The {hardware} hasn’t modified, however the optimization on the software program entrance represents an enormous step ahead from the place it was final yr. I performed a preview of the upcoming recreation The First Berserker, which look completely stellar. One second, snow was falling from above, scattered round my view of the characters — and the following, sparks have been flying towards my eyes from an assault by a close-by enemy. That description sound cliché, however phrases fails with this sort of factor. It must be skilled firsthand to be appreciated.
The foremost enchancment this yr has to with the “candy spot.” Actually, the thought of there being a “candy spot” for the 3D impact to work has mainly been thrown out. That’s one thing Acer SpatialLabs displays nonetheless wrestle with, which I used to be reminded of earlier at present after I took one other have a look at the present SpatialLabs 27 gaming monitor at Acer’s product demonstration.
However with the Odyssey 3D, it was all fairly seamless. I attempted transferring my head left to proper, scooting ahead and backward within the chair, and even sitting up larger versus transferring my head down. And nonetheless, that immersive 3D impact stayed intact. Which means you’ll be able to sit comfortably — or not fear about your positioning in any respect — and nonetheless benefit from the 3D impact. It didn’t make me dizzy, both — it simply added an enhanced sense of closeness to the sport world fully freed from glasses or headsets.
It might by no means be among the best gaming displays that everybody will personal in even a number of years, however the high quality of the demo a minimum of satisfied me that 3D displays may develop into greater than only a gimmick or spectacular product demo.
There’s one downside, although. Whereas The First Berserker demo seemed improbable, it’s just one recreation. And proper now, it’s the one confirmed recreation to launch on the product when it releases someday within the second quarter of 2025. Sure, it has the power to transform 2D content material to 3D, however proper now, it solely works on full-screen movies in an online browser. For The First Berserker, Samsung needed to work instantly with the builders of the sport to actually optimize it for the Odyssey 3D. As everyone knows, something that calls for further time from recreation improvement groups could be troublesome.
In the meantime, Samsung’s main competitor in 3D gaming displays, Acer, has been constructing out an ecosystem of supported video games for years now. There are lots of of titles to check out in 3D at this level. None of them may look as immersive as The First Berserker on the Odyssey 3D, however the huge library of supported video games is spectacular. Clearly, Acer’s method to partnering with builders by means of its efforts with SpatialLabs is working — nevertheless it’s taken years to get so far.
After talking with Samsung representatives, nevertheless, I acquired some extra particulars on the corporate’s method to getting extra supported content material for the monitor. Initially, I used to be instructed that over 10 titles shall be supported by the point of launch — and that features Lies of P. That’s not a nasty begin, and if some momentum builds, that might quickly broaden by the top of the yr. However for those who’re shopping for this monitor on day one — for what I assume is some huge cash — that could be pretty disappointing.
With out the power to quickly carry titles over, the Odyssey 3D monitor might be doomed to fail. Samsung instructed me that it’s exploring the power to transform 2D video games on to 3D with out the enter of a developer, although it’s not at present promising such a function. That was good to listen to. That sort of content material would seemingly by no means look nearly as good as my demo appeared, nevertheless it’s what could also be wanted if Samsung hopes to create any momentum with the Odyssey 3D.
In spite of everything, the thought of recreation improvement groups working up implementations for particular displays seems like a tricky promote. That’ll solely get tougher if (and when) different producers throw their hats within the ring. Samsung seemingly has extra sway within the business than Acer, however builders are at all times going to wish to understand how that improvement time truly helps the success of the sport. As with all new issues, it’s an issue of the what comes first — the rooster or the egg?
If Samsung can construct sufficient assist behind the Odyssey 3D by the point the discharge date rolls round, I feel it has the potential to actually turn into an thrilling improvement on the planet of PC gaming and displays. However with just one official recreation suppported thus far, there’s undoubtedly an extended street forward.
