Having only made the jump to 33.4GB in January, electronics manufacturer Sharp has confirmed that it intends to launch the first commercially available 100GB capacity Blu-ray disc this month.
PC World reports that the units will go on sale in Japan on July 30th and are expected to cost in the region of $55-$60 each.
The launch of both rewritable 100GB discs and write-once 128GB discs is expected in the near future.

http://www.pcr-online.biz/news/34022/100GB-Blu-ray-discs-due-this-month

Sony has filed patents for a new stereoscopic system that would allow two gamers to enjoy 3D multiplayer without the need for split-screen.

The patents, which were spotted by Broke My Controller, were filed a year ago and published last week.

They describe a way of rendering separate images on one screen, and depict glasses which can then filter them. Digital Foundry's Richard Leadbetter explains: "Stereo 3D is all about generating two different images - one per eye. The glasses work by making sure that the right images are sent to the correct eyes.

"The theory here is that instead of having stereo 3D, the glasses each point to either the left or right "eye" view, which will be the view of each player in-game. So two screens are being generated, one goes to each player. Simple!"

Simple indeed? Or WITCHCRAFT?

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/sony-patents-3d-multiplayer-system

Codemasters has confirmed there will be no playable demo for PC, PS3 and Xbox 360 racer F1 2010.

The news comes via the Codemasters forum. Moderator SynGamer quotes community manager Ian Webster as saying, "Due to the nature of the game, and its layers of licensed content, it will not be possible to make a cut-down, limited content sample that would serve as a demo for F1 in 2010 within our production deadlines."

F1 2010 is due out on 30th September. You can find a hands-on preview plus all manner of screenshots and videos over on the gamepage.

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/no...ys-codemasters

Sony's official guidelines state that developers may not create 1080p versions of their 3D PlayStation 3 games, due to frame-rate limitations.

The confirmation was made by Simon Benson, senior development manager of Worldwide Studios' stereoscopic team, at the Develop conference last week.

According to Joystiq, Benson claimed the higher resolution made it harder to maintain 60 frames per second, and that any games already running at 1080p would be downscaled to 720p.

While, following a firmware update due later this year, the console will be able to play 3D Blu-Ray discs at 1080p, stereoscopic content at the higher resolution is limited to 24 frames per second, the frame-rate of film projectors.

Digital Foundry has clarified to GamesIndustry.biz that this is a necessary requirement of the HDMI connection, not of the PlayStation 3 particularly.

"It's simply the case that the new stereo 3D support built into the HDMI 1.4 spec is specifically designed for Blu-Ray movie playback at a movie standard of 24 frames per second, making the full HD mode a poor fit for gaming. In a world where games are created to run either at 30 or 60 frames per second, dropping down to 24FPS means a jerkier image and a more muted response from the controls.

"There's certainly no lack of support from the PS3 itself either, as even in the current 3.40 firmware - which doesn't support Blu-Ray 3D movies - the mode is clearly recognised and available for use by the console."

While Benson said Sony currently strictly limits all 3D game output to 720p - with previously 1080p title Super Stardust HD being downscaled for its stereoscopic remake - it was possible that a slower-paced, "more cinematic game" would allow some relaxation of the rule.

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/sony-forces-720p-cap-on-3d-games