Disney Goes 3-D with G-Force and Toy Story

If you've ever seen one of the newer 3-D movies at the theater, you know that unlike the old red-and-blue filters, the new 3-D actually works, and at times looks pretty stunning. Soon, gamers will be able to have that same stereoscopic experience at home. Disney Interactive is shipping two games this summer that will both have 3-D glasses packed in: G-Force and Toy Story Mania!  Disney claims these titles are "the first games for next-generation systems to fully feature three-dimensional stereoscopic technology."  Ubisoft, which is working with James Cameron on Avatar, has also been talking up stereoscopic gaming for some time, as has Blitz in the U.K.

Both G-Force and Toy Story Mania! will each ship with two sets of 3-D glasses so that two players can enjoy the stereoscopic feel at the same time. Players can easily toggle between the 3-D functionality or standard graphics while playing the games. 

Disney consulted with Rob Neuman, an expert in 3-D technology and supervisor at Walt Disney Feature Animation, to implement the 3-D effects in the G-Force video game developed at Eurocom.  “Like the 3-D effects in some feature films, the goal for adding 3-D in G-Force enabled the two miniature creatures – guinea pig Darwin and housefly Mooch – to appear to come forward from the screen, which creates a unique experience for the player,” said Neuman, who's advised on the 3-D aspects of numerous Disney animated feature films.  “The dawn of three-dimensional technology in films has taken over the Cineplex and it’s obvious that video games are the next medium to see this trend.”

G-Force, based on the film of the same name from Walt Disney Pictures and Jerry Bruckheimer Films, is coming to Xbox 360 and PS3 on July 21. Toy Story Mania! is exclusive to Wii and is inspired by the new four-dimensional attraction in both Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort.  Disney will ship the game this fall.

Although the technology is far from perfect, IndustryGamers has seen some games with 3-D stereoscopic glasses, and we've been impressed. The technology often does require an expensive 3-D capable HDTV, which is cost prohibitive to the average consumer (especially in this economy). We're not sure if that's the case for these Disney 3-D games; we've contacted Disney for clarification and we'll let you know. Update: Disney has told us the 3-D technology will indeed work on any standard HDTV.