4D Graphics: A Reality Only For PS3

[Scuba Steve]

"We all know what 3D graphics are - length, width & depth, but how many know what 4D graphics are? If you are one of the millions of people thinking 'What the %&$* are 4D graphics?', don't be alarmed. You've already seen them. Shocking isn't it? We all remember Kutaragi proclaiming not too long ago that PS3 would utilize 4D graphics, but what exactly did he mean?

4D, from a developer’s point of view, is is the progression of Life in time. It is where every tangible object in your game is living and constantly changing. As a result, change becomes an integral part of 4D graphics."

You can view the entire story (and some videos) at the following link: 4D Graphics: A Reality Only For PlayStation 3 :: PlayStation Universe (PSU)

To be blunt, this sounds very cool. I'm sure in time it wouldn't only be available on the PS3, but for now...

Could you imagine playing any of the GTA games in 4D? That would be spectacular.

[navyboy]

i read about this on some site. There was something interesting about sony talking with mitsubishi about making something which could make this possible. They were only talking, so i dont think its certain if sony will be giving us the 4d experience just yet.

[Scuba Steve]

Damn, I forgot about this thread and when it pops up in my subscribed threads you're the first to reply? Ugh.

It's already been done (shown in those videos), so I have no doubt it will be put into future games.

[zero2000]

Yah, read about this. Metal can rust over time, wood can rot. It isn't practical but can be implimented into games. You won't stand there for a long time looking at a can or anything.

But every other game that shows a change over time, is when you just go to the area, then load the same area later on in the game and it is different. So you don't see these things going on, but the 4d graphics they are talking about, you can witness things change over time with your very own eyes.

[OME6A]

Oh, is this like in Tomb Raider: Legend on the 360 when Lara would get out of the water, and be all drippy and wet, body glistening in full digital glory, leaving puddles with every step, only to eventually dry off?

I think it's an interesting idea to show the effect of time, weather and use on an environment, but isn't time the biggest factor there? I mean, I really don't want to think of the day when I've played a game so long that I start seeing the environment deteriorate, and my character develop arthritis.

In all seriousness, and I did read the article, this is interesting at the least. If you break it down to it's simplest form, it's just re-enforcing the fact that the PS3 has greater processing abilities than the 360.

I think it's great that they've developed these algorithms for calculating effects on the environment, but even as an open-minded gamer, I don't see the practical use for it.

Good things always come from thinking about and doing things differently, and I think that's all this is really doing. Just doing it differently than it's already done.

Great article though.

[Subject 17]

If anyone has a subscription to game informer, prototype uses this. Check out that game if you haven't.

[Scuba Steve]

While this may not be practical for all games, I couldn't stop thinking of a game that could use this and be simply brilliant. Anyone want to guess?

GTA IV

It could easily fit into every aspect of this game.

[FiluP]

Are you talking 4D with glasses n' everything?

[zero2000]

Originally Posted by FiluP

Are you talking 4D with glasses n' everything?

4d just reffers to time. So in game they can have items, such as metal, or wood, degrade over time. So you could technically watch it if you wished, and can see changes.