There has been a definite increase in the number of 3D movies and 3D games released for theaters and home gaming systems. The 3D genre has been around since the 1950s, but it has been relegated to more of a novelty than a mainstream media option. The old 3D glasses were flimsy, and it was hard to see through them if you wore any type of glasses or corrective lenses. The 3D media was impossible to watch if you didn’t have the glasses on, because the red-blue-green separation that causes objects to appear to jump out of the screen distorted the image completely.

3D Popularity is Steadily Increasing

Modern advances have made 3D technology more accessible to the masses. The red and green paper glasses have been replaced by over-sized plastic frames with green-tinted lenses. They fit comfortably over most eyeglasses, and feel more like you’re wearing a regular pair of sunglasses. The 3D film effects are more vibrant, and it really feels like you have to duck when something comes flying toward you. The ease and comfort of attending a 3D movie or playing a 3D game has made their popularity skyrocket. Some of the most popular films of last year were presented in 3D formats.

The Imax Difference

One of the biggest reasons that 3D technology has crept back into the mainstream is the wide use of 3D in films produced for Imax theaters. Imax screens are roughly the size of a large wall, about 72′ wide x 53′ high. The films that are shown on an Imax theater have to be shot using a special camera. Even regular films can feel completely immersive when shown on such a large screen.

Imax enhanced the idea that the viewer could step into the screen by creating many of their films using a 3D format. From educational documentaries to whimsical short movies, Imax made 3D commonly available in many local theaters. Customers would go to the movies and discover how different modern 3D is from the older versions, and 3D resurgence became firmly entrenched in modern cinema. Film makers paid attention to the trend, and began to offer special showings of their feature length films in Imax 3D.

Gaming Lags Behind Films

3D games are not quite as impressive as 3D movies. The games offer a sense of three-dimensional action by having characters maneuver through landscapes that wrap around them. You can turn your character in a full circle and see the entire landscape. Characters can also interact with objects that have 3D qualities. 3D graphics technology is advancing very quickly, however, and it is only a matter of time before you can experience the same immersion into your favorite game as you would experience at the local theater.

Will This 3D Trend Fade Over Time?

3D has gone in and out of style since it was first created. The recent spike in popularity is based more on the ease of use of the new technology than the novelty of objects popping out of the screen. This trend is likely to become permanent as technology continues to make it easier to experience.