3D TVs, and likely 3D gaming, quickly fading away

Some interesting news out of Korea yesterday, as it was announced that Samsung and LG will be significantly reducing the number of 3D TVs that they sell in the future. Samsung and LG will reduce by roughly half of the models that have 3D capability when new models hits store shelves later this year. For LG, that drops the rate from 40% of their lineup to 20%.

I think about everyone knew that 3D home viewing was nothing more than a fickle fad, but the reality is now upon us. There was too much working against it, foremost a lack of a standard for the glasses, expensive active shutter models that could tack several hundred dollars onto a TV for a family of four, and lack of content. The final nail in the coffin likely is the UHD models that are out and the impending Virtual Reality wave that is coming at us like a tidal wave.

From a gamer’s standpoint, it is actually a bit frustrating, as there are some absolutely spectacular 3D games out there that really immerse you in the game. However, for each Super Stardust HD, there is a MLB: The Show where the 3D was basically an after-thought and half-assed into the game. With developers already under a crunch to get games out on time with basic game functionality coded, adding 3D was either scrapped or never considered. Expect 3D to live on in higher end models where it can be included as a base feature, but I think this is likely the end of the home 3D revolution that never really got off the ground.