3D Graphics
Ongoing coverage on 3D Graphics.
Latest coverage
Stardew Valley "3DVR" mod looks like a whole different game, is "fully playable" and compatible with…
A new mod for Stardew Valley, created by GingasVR, transforms the game into a fully playable 3D experience with optional VR and motion control support. While still a work-in-progress with some visual quirks, the mod is designed to be compatible with existing saves and allows seamless switching between 2D, 3D, and VR modes.
You can now play Stardew Valley in 3D or VR, thanks to this new mod
A new mod for Stardew Valley allows players to switch between standard 2D, a 3D desktop view, or a full VR experience. Developed by GingasVR, the mod is compatible with most existing mods and expansions, offering a fresh perspective on the farming simulation game without requiring a VR headset for the 3D mode.
Help, I can't decide if Stardew Valley in 3D is amazing or horrifying
A modder named kittycatcasey has created a proof-of-concept for a 3D version of Stardew Valley, which is compatible with VR. While the mod's creator plans to eventually give everything unique 3D models, the current version uses 2D sprites that swivel to face the player, creating a potentially unsettling effect that the author finds both "amazing" and "horrifying."
Feature: 10 N64 Games We Played In A Wondrous Alternate Timeline
This article explores a hypothetical alternate timeline where the Nintendo 64 achieved greater market success, imagining 10 games that could have been released. It speculates on potential N64 entries for series like Fire Emblem, Tekken, Metroid, and Final Fantasy, and discusses what might have been if sequels to GoldenEye 007 and Super Mario 64 were prioritized.
Evening Reading - June 23, 2026
This edition of Evening Reading covers various gaming industry happenings, including Tencent's reported exits from Japanese studios, EA layoffs, and new game announcements like Montabi and Tanuki: Pon's Summer. It also touches on the upcoming EVO 2026 fighting game tournament and reflections on Sonic's 35th birthday and the legacy of 3D graphics in gaming.
How the N64 and its games changed the world of gaming
This article celebrates the 30th anniversary of the Nintendo 64, examining its influential games and their lasting impact on the gaming industry. Despite selling fewer units than its competitor, the PlayStation, the N64 was a technical achievement that pioneered 3D graphics and gameplay mechanics, setting the foundation for many modern game design principles.
DLSS 5 isn't the first time the future of videogame graphics looked like total balls
This article explores the history of 3D graphics rendering, focusing on Andrew Spencer Studio's innovative but ultimately unsuccessful use of ellipsoids instead of polygons in games like Ecstatica and the unreleased Urban Decay. While the technology offered potential for more organic character models and smoother animation, it was ultimately superseded by hardware-accelerated polygon rendering, highlighting that not all technological advancements represent linear progress.
Rayman Legends Retold Reimagines Ubisoft's Classic Platformer With 3D Visuals
Ubisoft has officially announced Rayman Legends Retold, a reimagining of the classic platformer featuring 3D visuals. The announcement follows earlier leaks regarding the title.
Rayman Legends Retold out October 1 on PS5
Rayman Legends Retold, a 3D reimagining of the platformer, is set to launch on PlayStation 5 on October 1. The game will feature new content, narrative twists, stunning 3D visuals, an expanded soundtrack, and fully voiced characters. It will also include couch co-op for up to four players and a revamped Kung Foot mode. Pre-orders for the Standard and Deluxe Editions are available, with the Deluxe Edition including the Rayman Origins: Enhanced Edition.
Rayman is back, as Ubisoft confirms the long-rumored Rayman Legends remake is coming this year
Ubisoft has confirmed the long-rumored Rayman Legends remake, titled Rayman Legends Retold, is set to launch on October 1, 2026, for PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch. This remake will feature a 3D graphical overhaul while maintaining 2D gameplay, and will include new levels and potentially new voice acting. Pre-orders may grant access to an enhanced edition of Rayman Origins.
Game and Mod Development
This article discusses the innovative use of text-based methods for creating 3D graphics in game development. It explores how text can be leveraged as a primary medium for visual asset creation, diverging from traditional graphical approaches.
Tetromino - Free Online Browser Based HTML5 Game
Tetromino is a free, browser-based HTML5 game that offers a 3D, customizable take on the classic Tetris formula. Players clear lines by dropping falling shapes, with a unique bonus mechanic triggering explosions for same-colored blocks. The game features 3D visuals with orbital camera controls, extensive material customization for blocks and backgrounds, and a dynamic, procedurally generated soundtrack.
Sony's gaming division just bought an AI startup that turns photos into 3D volumes
Sony Interactive Entertainment has acquired UK-based AI startup Cinemersive Labs, known for its technology that converts 2D photos and videos into 3D volumes. The Cinemersive team will join Sony's Visual Computing Group to advance graphical technology for games, including rendering techniques and generative AI models. This acquisition is expected to enhance visual fidelity on platforms like the PlayStation 5.
Star Fox isn't just an iconic retro Nintendo shooter – it paved the road to Super Mario 64
Released in 1993 for the SNES, Star Fox was a groundbreaking title that pushed the boundaries of 3D graphics on consoles, largely due to the innovative Super FX chip. Developed by Argonaut Software in collaboration with Nintendo, the game's technical achievements and unique design are considered to have significantly influenced future titles like Super Mario 64, demonstrating Nintendo's capacity for innovation despite criticisms of relying on established franchises.
It's been 25 years since my jaw first dropped at 3DMark2001's Nature test but hoo boy, have 3D graphics…
This article reflects on the evolution of 3D graphics over the past 25 years, comparing the benchmark tests of 3DMark2001 with modern games. It highlights significant advancements in polygon count, texture detail, draw distance, and animation complexity, noting how current titles like Forza Horizon 5 and Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 showcase vastly superior visual fidelity and immersive worlds compared to the early 2000s.
'The reason why we're so beloved in the videogame industry and we're so deep in it still is, in a lot of…
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang asserted that his company created the modern video game industry and is crucial to its continued success, particularly through its advancements in 3D graphics and AI. While acknowledging Nvidia's significant contributions to game engines like Unreal Engine and the overall gaming ecosystem, the article notes that the relationship between Nvidia and gamers has been complex due to factors like graphics card pricing and performance debates, suggesting gamers may not be the top priority despite the technological impact.
