3DS Firmware Update & 3D Video Sign of Things to Come?

Mar 25, 2011 2 Comments by admin

Shortly after causing a 3DS retail frenzy in the UK, and just as new Nintendo 3DS owners get to grips with gaming in the third dimension, Nintendo has already launched a firmware update and, rather interestingly it will include a 3D music video.

What is in the new Nintendo 3DS update?

According to Nintendo, the 3DS system update will improve the overall wireless connection of the 3D gaming phenomenon by allowing some wireless Internet access points that were not available before. There will also be improvements to overall system stability and a SpotPass upgrade for receiving notifications and other data.

Users will need to connect to the Internet via a Wi-Fi connection and during the update a 3D music video from the Chicago rock band OK Go! will also be downloaded. The track entitled White Knuckles is a one take sequence which has already been viewed in 2D 9.4 million times on YouTube.

Like most OK Go! music videos it was recorded in both 2D and 3D so this wont be a conversion of an existing 2D video.

“We shot the ‘White Knuckles’ video in 2D and 3D at the same time, but until now, there hasn’t been much opportunity for people to see the 3D version,” said Trish Sie, the video’s Grammy-winning director in a press release. “I’m fired up for people to watch the video again with Nintendo 3DS and experience it in a whole new way. This opens up all kinds of creative opportunities.”

The update and future updates seems to be a simple three stage process accessible from the 3DS settings menu.

You can watch the 2D version of the OK Go! White Knuckles music video here.

This could be a sign of things to come and an indication that Nintendo sees a lot of potential in the video capabilities of the 3DS. There already plans by several broadcasters and content owners (including Nintendo) to offer free 3D video content and 3D advertising is sure to follow, especially if it subsidises the cost of 3D content produced exclusively for the device. Reports indicate 3D advertising is more effective than its 2D form but a part of that was the engagement of wearing glasses; in other words, once someone puts on their glasses they are in a viewing mode so who knows if glasses free 3D advertising will have the same impact.

I am really excited about the potential for the Nintendo 3DS and the LG Optimus (of which Sky 3D has signed a content deal for) in terms of 3D programming and movies and what impact (if any) it will have on the 3D content industry – it would be kind of ironic if, after the massive 3D TV sets have been pushed so hard that most 3D viewing ends up on tiny screens!
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