| Video games have been with us for a long time | | | | technology has hit a bit of a plateau and has been |
| now, and their progression has been astounding. | | | | unable to breakthrough to the next level for a |
| The first mainstream video game was Atari's | | | | decade and a half. |
| Pong, released in 1972. Although it had | | | | However, all this could change with the |
| 2-dimensional graphics, you might actually think of | | | | introduction of true 3D television sets. TVs have |
| the controls as being 1-dimensional: you could only | | | | suffered a similar fate as video games. When |
| move your paddle either up or down. | | | | color television was developed, it represented a |
| Since then, games have continuously progressed. | | | | quantum leap over black and white television. |
| Games like Pac-Man and Asteroids also became | | | | However, all the recent developments - flat |
| mega-hits. These games were clearly 2D. For a | | | | screens, thinner bodies, LCD, LED, HD - seem like |
| while, the biggest improvements in games were | | | | mere minor cosmetic improvements. 3D TVs |
| the graphics. Games remained in their two | | | | could represent a leap just as significant as the |
| dimensional form, but they kept getting better | | | | leap from black and white to color. Video games |
| and better looking. Nintendo's NES epitomized | | | | will come along for the ride. |
| these 2D games with hits such as The Legend of | | | | In fact, there have already been some video |
| Zelda and Super Mario Bros. The next generation | | | | games developed for 3D televisions. One of these |
| of consoles, such as the Sega Genesis and SNES, | | | | is Avatar: The Game. If you saw Avatar in 3D at |
| further enhanced the 2D experience. | | | | the movie theater, then you are well aware of |
| The next major breakthrough was seen with | | | | the immersive experience that a 3D presentation |
| Sony's PlayStation and the Nintendo 64. Super | | | | can offer. Avatar: The Game only scratches the |
| Mario 64 and the Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of | | | | surface of what 3D games will be able to offer. It |
| Time were hailed as major breakthroughs in | | | | is the Mario 64 of true 3D games. The experience |
| gaming. They brought full 3D worlds to home | | | | is actually well implemented. The ferns of the |
| video game consoles. Ocarina of Time, released in | | | | forest jut out of the screen, bullets fly by your |
| 1998, is still often named as the best video game | | | | head, and you really get a feeling of depth when |
| of all time probably mostly for this reason. | | | | you are flying around on one of the dragon |
| Since then, graphics have continuously gotten | | | | creatures. It is easy to get used to, but when |
| prettier, but there hasn't ever been a true | | | | you switch back to 2D, you can definitely tell the |
| breakthrough. The PS2 was basically the same as | | | | difference. It is really something you have to try |
| the original PlayStation, with sharper graphics. The | | | | for yourself to really grasp, but to use an audio |
| PS3 is basically the same as the PS2 - again, with | | | | analogy: it is akin to switching from a small stereo |
| slightly better graphics. It seems as if video game | | | | to a surround sound system. |