Is this the end of the 3D 'boom' in Cinemas?

[garyopa]

Just like 'Iwata' is predicting with the future of Nintendo 3D, it seems 3D movie revenue has already slumped by a half compared to 2010 in the UK.



According to the BFI, 3D films accounted for a fifth of box office revenues last year compared to almost a quarter two years ago.

Seems that the 3D Films 'boom' is over, at least in the UK.

While 47 3D movies were released in 2011 -which is an increase of almost 20 from 2010- takings were down, according to the British Film Institute.

According to research compiled by the British Film Institute 3D films accounted for a fifth of box office revenues last year compared to almost a quarter two years ago.

It found the average cinema in the UK made £32,000 from 3D films in 2010 but this had slumped by half to £16,000 in 2011.

This is what the BFI reported:

"This year saw signs that UK cinema goers are becoming more selective in their choice of 3D films, choosing the format for films where it makes a real contribution to their experience but sticking to 2D where they don't perceive any added value."

Seems that, after the initial burst of interest in 3D movies following the success of James Cameron's Avatar -with 90% of the audience watching in 3D-, British cinema-goers don't feel it represents value for money for every film.

The major cinema groups charge customers of 3D films up to 41 per cent more than those seeing standard films and many charge an additional £1 for the special glasses.

A spokesman for the BFI explained: "Perhaps audiences are becoming more discerning in terms of how they choose 3D and whether to pay the premium prices."

"They will choose [to watch the format] when it enhances the experience. Audiences can see where the 3D conversion may not be worth the extra few pounds on the ticket."

He added that instead consumers were opting to watch in 3D when they felt it really made a difference.

And, of course, there is the additional problem that some people feel unwell when watching in this format...

"Around 10 per cent of the UK population has poor binocular vision, which means it is difficult for them to see 3D effects in movies and video games. Instead, they see a blurry image, and will suffer headaches, eye strain and even nausea as a result."

So, that's happening in the UK, but most likely these trends don't differ a lot from other countries, and just maybe Iwata is right as he stated 3D will be a 'minor' element in the future Nintendo consoles.

Could he have been seeing the future trend in 3D gaming just like movies are seeing now? -- A return to just plain 2D? -- What do you think?

NEWS SOURCE: Is end 3D boom cinemas trend fails revenue slumps (via) DailyMail

Our thanks to 'Gauss' for this news item!

[JonathanD]

Well it does sort of make sense, if 3D makes anyone sick in the whole family odds are that the whole family will just choose to see it in 2D. Also wearing those glasses for an entire movie is just annoying to me at least.

3D is a gimmick in the truest sense of the word, it comes around every so often gets a little popular then fades away back into the shadows.

I still think that some day it will be the next big thing, but it will require some massive leaps in tech.

[Cantenna]

I strongle disagree!

DONE!

[simian raticus]

Anyone remember a Virtual Reality? This ide die so fast! I waiting for Texas Chainsaw Massacre 3-D (2012). LEATHERFACE - LAST EATER ANONYMOUS TROLL's HOOD EVER REAL FANTASTIC AWESOME COOL ENEMY. Get that lazy ***** Leatherface! Get that *****! Hog must hunt! **** this chick in her horny ass!

[tech3475]

I've seen a few 3d films now and even where you expect it to make a difference it barely does.

I also recently picked up a new tv which happens to be a 3dtv and while games are more suited to the format, I will mainly be sticking with 2d.

[simian raticus]

In 3D i only seen Avatar 1. Not for my BRAIN. I like oldschool comedies from 90' like Hot Shots 2 or Problem Child 2. 3d make a ruined eyes? Give me Your glasses and all troll's asses! Pequin ZWYLF! Keine frage! Alles klaar and wunderbar und erotische fantastische! Maybe some porno movie in 3d in future? This sick planet earth is great & AWESOMEcooliX! Kranke kopf full of schmertz! Watching all kinds of audio-video goods is not healthy for a BRAIN! UBIO - USELESS BRAIN INFORMATION OVERLOAD is bad for a life! All new technologies die fast!

[mattias800]

Could also be explained by the quality of the movies?
But in general, this is always the case with new technology.
Like 3DS sales, boom in the beginning, then returns to a more sensible level.

3D won't fade away, and while one could call it gimmick, I wouldn't when most big budget movies are in 3D now.
However, the excitement is gone.

[InsaneNutter]

I don't rate 3D, i end up getting headaches after a while. Plus it costs around £2 more here to see the film in 3D.

I'm more than happy with just HD, tbh 3d is a fad, and i hope it never becomes the norm.

[Battlefield]

Even when 3D is some kind of a fad, i dont think they will stop making 3D movies anytime soon.

I have bought alot of Blu-Ray 3D and PS3 games in 3D myself. I dont have a 3D TV yet, but i will buy it later this year even if 3D is dead or not.
Movie companies seem to be 3D hooked, so it can last for a few more years, or even many years. They charge more for 3D versions, so if it sells good enough..why stop?
As for Gaming, i think 3D have may have worn out. I havent seen any new PS3 game with 3D support for awhile...

[Ahmed_p800]

Here is my opinion on the topic, Because 3D effects in movies are no good! (suck in other words).

Most movies that claim to be 3D do not feel anything like 3D, it just look like a regular 2D movie which you can watch and enjoy to the same level for cheaper, Even Avatar, I don't remember that the 3D effects blew me away or wowed me (which was the main selling point for it).

Most of the time, 3D feels more like layer in movies, not poping 3D, in addition, in fast-paced movie scenes the viewer will not notice the 3D effects!

In my opinion, the only movie (real not CGI) that I really felt and enjoyed the 3D effects in, was Resident Evil! 3D effects in RE were great (again in fast-paced scenes it was abit hard to notice) but in general it was POPing 3D.

Nowadays, whenever we decide to watch a movie in the cinema, we ask some of our friends who watched the movie first about the 3D effects if its worth the extra money, and most of the time it isn't worth it! like 95% of the time...

I believe this is the main reason people are avoiding 3D movies, it just doesn't feel like 3D!

[Battlefield]

Here is my opinion on the topic, Because 3D effects in movies are no good! (suck in other words).

Most movies that claim to be 3D do not feel anything like 3D, it just look like a regular 2D movie which you can watch and enjoy to the same level for cheaper, Even Avatar, I don't remember that the 3D effects blew me away or wowed me (which was the main selling point for it).

Most of the time, 3D feels more like layer in movies, not poping 3D, in addition, in fast-paced movie scenes the viewer will not notice the 3D effects!

In my opinion, the only movie (real not CGI) that I really felt and enjoyed the 3D effects in, was Resident Evil! 3D effects in RE were great (again in fast-paced scenes it was abit hard to notice) but in general it was POPing 3D.

Nowadays, whenever we decide to watch a movie in the cinema, we ask some of our friends who watched the movie first about the 3D effects if its worth the extra money, and most of the time it isn't worth it! like 95% of the time...

I believe this is the main reason people are avoiding 3D movies, it just doesn't feel like 3D!

Overall, the old Red/Cyan glasses have better 3D effects perhaps.

With Red/Cyan many 3D effects is far out of the screen. I think the new 3D is more like holographic, and thats why the 3D effects is not that good.
Its a difference in 3D and 3D with things popping out of the screen.

Spy Kids 3, Journey to the Centre of the Earth, Friday 13th 3, Elm Street 6 etc.. have serious off screen action. Feels like stuff is like 2 meters out of the screen.
Since the "new 3D" cant provide that, it will of course have less WOW factor than the old system from 1950's.

[billysastard]

Overall, the old Red/Cyan glasses have better 3D effects perhaps.

With Red/Cyan many 3D effects is far out of the screen. I think the new 3D is more like holographic, and thats why the 3D effects is not that good.
Its a difference in 3D and 3D with things popping out of the screen.

Spy Kids 3, Journey to the Centre of the Earth, Friday 13th 3, Elm Street 6 etc.. have serious off screen action. Feels like stuff is like 2 meters out of the screen.
Since the "new 3D" cant provide that, it will of course have less WOW factor than the old system from 1950's.

its strange, some 3d seems better than others, i was watching the latest transformers movie on my 3ds a couple of weeks ago and although playback isnt as smooth the 3d "pop" was a lot better than on my projector when running the same film from bluray.

[mattias800]

Overall, the old Red/Cyan glasses have better 3D effects perhaps.

With Red/Cyan many 3D effects is far out of the screen. I think the new 3D is more like holographic, and thats why the 3D effects is not that good.
Its a difference in 3D and 3D with things popping out of the screen.

Well, not many correct points here

[Battlefield]

its strange, some 3d seems better than others, i was watching the latest transformers movie on my 3ds a couple of weeks ago and although playback isnt as smooth the 3d "pop" was a lot better than on my projector when running the same film from bluray.

Its different people who make the 3D for movies, and some people is good at it, while other suck at it.
Its like games.. There is good devs, and there is bad devs technically. Same for movies.

Harry Potter is supposed to have the worst 3D ever made.

I preordered The Avengers 3D Blu-Ray, but i know its not among the best 3D.

Seems like The Three Musketeers and Resident Evil Afterlife is 2 of the best 3D movies so far.

Both happens to be made by the game director Paul W.S. Anderson. Looks like he have proper 3D people.
The same who made Death Race, Mortal Kombat etc.

[Battlefield]

Well, not many correct points here

I havent seen most newer movies in 3D yet, so i was guessing a little based on the previous posters view.

As for Red/Cyan/Green it works quite good with off-screen 3D. Especially on projectors with good colors like mine.

Red/Cyan have never been good on TV, but worked good in some cinemas with DLP projectors, and same for home projectors.