Codemasters has shed light on why it’s elbowed stereoscopic 3D support out of the console versions of DiRT 3, explaining the tech’s inclusion in the game would ultimately prove detrimental to the player’s experience.
The muddy off-road racer includes rudimentary 3D support in the PC version of the game, though the feature has been omitted from the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 conversions.
However, the reason for this, explains chief game designer Paul Coleman, is simple: 3D in DiRT 3 wouldn’t be “as helpful” as it would in other titles, and in fact may prove a nauseating experience for some gamers.
"For us, with it being quite a horizon based racer, 3D isn’t as helpful as it would be in a game like MotorStorm where the environment’s changing around you, stuff’s falling down and you’re doing big drops. That feeling of depth is far greater,” he told Eurogamer.
"For us we’re always racing for that point at the centre of the screen. You end up in a 3D environment getting a bit of a tunnelled effect going on, and it can actually be quite nauseating if you’re doing hour or two-hour long playing sessions."
DiRT 3 will be released worldwide on May 24.