3D technology

3D technology is breathing new life into old computer games.

The first of a new wave of 3D-enabled laptops and desktop computer monitors, capable of converting many older 2D games into 3D, have just hit our shores.

Most of the hype about the next-generation format has revolved around 3D TVs.

However, some consumers have been disappointed by the lack of content available to watch once they settle back on the couch wearing those silly glasses.

Options have been limited to a handful of 3D movies and the occasional live TV broadcast, such as the recent rugby league State of Origin.

But recently released blockbuster PC game titles such as Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 and Just Cause 2 are 3D-ready right out of the box.

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There are also more than 400 older titles, ranging from Age of Empires III to Cricket 2005 that can be enjoyed in 3D using software pioneered by computer graphics card company nVidia.

A pair of 3D glasses combined with a plug-in infrared sensor and compatible PC are all that's required.

Toshiba spokesman Anthony Geronimo said the wealth of 3D content available is a result of the foresight of many computer game programmers who rightly predicted the format would catch on and ensured their games would be ready.

"A lot of the games over the past couple of years have already been written for 3D," he said.

"So it's not a matter of now getting new games that are 3D enabled. A lot of the games you used to play you can now play in 3D."

Mr Geronimo, whose company has just released the Satellite A660 3D laptop, said the experience had to be seen to be believed.

"Once you've played a game in 3D on your computer, it really comes into focus," he said. "Look around corners to shoot someone and you're literally looking around the corner and getting a true sense of depth. Running through a jungle, the leaves flick past your face. The experience really does speak for itself."

While video games are expected to be a major driver of 3D sales, the format could also provide a boost to the flagging PC games sector.

Computer games have suffered in recent years as the dominance of video game consoles such as Nintendo's Wii, Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PS3 have grown.

While users can also enjoy content such as 3D movies on compatible computers, Mr Geronimo believes gamers will prove less reluctant to jump in than many other consumers.