MS: 3D gaming a science experiment

Phil Spencer, the corporate VP of Microsoft Game Studios, has labelled the current 3D games market as nothing more than a science experiment” and argued that it’s too early for his company to commit itself to the space.

As an entertainment company, we’re trying to do things that millions of people can go enjoy today,” Spencer told CNN. And for better or for worse, people just don’t really have TVs in their house right now that are going to do 3D in a way that’s going to work.

As a corporate mandate, I don’t need to sell you a new TV. That’s not part of my business model. Other companies maybe have that part of their business model. I don’t.”

However, aside from his dig at Sony and the huge investment its TV division has made in the 3D tech push, Spencer had kinder words to say about Nintendo’s upcoming 3D debut, the 3DS.

I like the 3DS – you don’t have to wear the glasses,” he confessed, though added that he hadn’t seen the technology in person. A bunch of people sitting around the living room wearing $150 glasses – I’m just not sure that’s kind of mainstream today. Trying to get a bunch of people playing together in a room where not everybody sees the same thing… is kind of a weird disconnect to me.”

CNN adds that numbers from research firm DisplaySearch suggest that 3D TV shipments in the US will fall short of expectations in 2010.

Of course, Xbox 360 has and will via third party publishers be hopping aboard the 3D bandwagon regardless. Next month’s Call of Duty: Black Ops will provide the technology with its biggest boost in the games sector to date, and 3D is compatible both on PS3 and Xbox 360.

If you want 3D, 3D games are available today on Xbox 360 and will continue to evolve,” Spencer added. Clearly, we’re not going to ignore 3D. I think it is something that will play a role in entertainment.”