Sony: 'All PS3 Units Will Be Firmware-Upgradeable To 3D'

3D stereoscopic technology is a major component of Sony's strategy to achieve profitability for the PlayStation 3 -- and the company says the console's planning for a system-wide solution. In a new presentation [PDF link] to investors about the company as a whole, Sony revealed plans to add 3D capability to PS3 games via a firmware update: "All PS3 units will be firmware-upgradeable to 3D," it says. Sony says it's aiming to "lead the 3D market," and pointed to plans to offer 3D-specific tools to developers making games on its platform. (Some console games such as Blitz's PSN title Invincible Tiger have custom coded 3D stereoscopic modes, and Disney's G-Force has a less sophisticated red-blue 3D glasses version, but there's no system-wide solution.) 3D gaming on PlayStation 3 appears to be simply one component of the strategy -- it's looking at 3D for its Blu-ray format and high-definition televisions, too. However, with only a small minority of current televisions supporting more sophisticated stereoscopic 3D, the vast majority of consumers will need to upgrade to play PS3 games in the most effective 3D modes. The company also wants to install 3,000 Sony-created 3D theater projectors in cinemas by the end of 2010. Sony Corp CEO Howard Stringer tells investors and media that the company's on track to stem its losses and return to profitability. The executive believes that, with the help of new tech like 3D and the upcoming Motion Controller for the console, its PlayStation business can achieve profitability by March 2011.