Research group Interpret LLC claims that almost a third of 3DS owners feel the system's main attraction -- its 3D screen -- actively detracts from the gaming experience. Shockingly, there are even people who don't know the 3DS can do 3D! You'd think the name was a clue.
Of the 1,600 people polled, only 60% knew that the handheld had a 3D function. Of that group, 28% knew that it didn't require 3D glasses to use. Among users who knew of the 3D feature, 28% thought it was detrimental to gameplay, 22% thought it was an improvement, and 13% played without it enabled.
1,600 isn't a huge number, but I've seen so many comments from people who claim they turn the 3D feature off after they've checked out how it looks on a new game. Personally, I try and always play with it enabled, but even I have to turn it down occasionally, because it can get really distracting.
Nintendo recently advertised that the 3D could be turned off, seemingly aware that consumers might be turned off by the gimmick completely. When you have to assure people that your main selling point isn't mandatory, that doesn't look good. That's like the Vita promising consumers that you can play games with PSOne-era graphics.
28% of 3DS players say 3D detracts from gameplay [GameSpot]
Contest:
11:00 AM on 09.25.2011 | 
Personally I'm not a fan of 3D... either in my movie watching or in my gaming. I suspect that eventually it will just fade away to some extent as it has in the past.
It's still the best use of 3D I've seen in a game yet.
I wonder if Nintendo will launch a DS3, a 3DS without 3D.
Just ignore Welch. A quick look through his comments will most likely prove he's not worth the trouble.
I'm just sayin'....
Wait, was this survey even in the gaming demographic? Because my mom wouldn't know the 3DS has 3D functionality, but she'd never buy one in the first place. Some of these results feel kind of silly.
Also, as with all Jim Sterling articles, remember to read the linked source. This quote makes the situation sound a lot less alarming:
"The big-picture takeaway of Casey's talk was that awareness of and personal experience with 3D is key to driving the technology. Satisfaction is generally high among those who have firsthand experience with 3D, but the lessons from research continue to point in the same direction.
"A theme you'll see over and over again is just the need to educate people," Casey said."
And that about sums it up. Nintendo just has to clear up the misconceptions. Hard, but certainly feasible given time.
Add that to your study why don't you.
You could have disabled the 3d in the parental controls.
It's better if it stays in the cinema.
You bought it just to have it?
Can I borrow $100 bucks?
The interesting point I'd like you guys to consider is that those of us who do enjoy 3D aren't going around arguing that the rest of you shouldn't have the option of playing in 2D. I hope you'll take this for the constructive criticism it's intended, but please, stop arguing that I shouldn't be offered the option to enjoy something I like. You're certainly entitled to hate it but this whole "ITS STUPID AND I WISH IT WOULD DIE" thing is destructive and selfish.
You're a fucking asshole.
BrainWasherAttendent
3D has never been huge, they have tried many, many times to push it.
At least someone I can agree with I like to play 3D on my 3DS except if i use it anywhere but home.Thats mostly cause then i move around too much and you lose the right angle...
That's a pretty common argument against it. "It didn't work in the 50s and the 80s when they tried it before." Yeah, fair enough, but 1) they didn't have anywhere near the technology to pull it off that they do now and 2) it was primarily used for gimmicky "shit flying at your face" shots.
3D today is primarily used to for depth and immersion. Sure there's the occasional eye candy shot but they're fairly few and far between. When 3D is done right, and it IS done right fairly often, you stop noticing it after a few minutes and the screen simply becomes a more immersive space. It can be a valuable addition without becoming a distraction, and that's when 3D is at its best.
"When you have to assure people that your main selling point isn't mandatory, that doesn't look good. That's like the Vita promising consumers that you can play games with PSOne-era graphics. "
The main selling point is the software. Not an optional feature. Its the same with the vita touch pad or something
Before you do anything else the system walks you through how to turn on the 3D and how to properly use it...
I understand if you already have vision problems,or just plain can't afford the technology,but why hate on it?
I have a 3DTV,while I don't always use it,and some content is better than others, It still adds a new and exciting way to play-view content. I consider this a good thing.
If you don't like it you can simply turn it off.
I have never been hurt or inconvenienced by the fact that a game has 3D support. Not in the slightest. I don't even think about it until someone starts whining about it online. I pretty much support options; when people want options to go away because they personally don't use them, it just leaves me at a loss.