Key Points
- Spatial computing technology adds replayability to video games, allowing players to experience the game in a new way and rediscover elements they may have missed.
- 2D games with 3D elements can also work with spatial computing technology.
- Acer uses 3D cameras, sensors, and AI algorithms to create an immersive environment that blends physical and digital worlds.
- Glasses-free 3D technology allows users to experience 3D visuals without specialized glasses or headsets.
- VR is a completely immersive experience, while glasses-free 3D allows for a sense of presence in the real world.
- Acer is exploring ways to improve viewing area and flexibility, eye-tracking technology, and overall visual quality and fidelity.
- The technology has potential applications in entertainment, productivity, medical, and education fields.
- Acer is working to support all major gaming platforms, and is exploring ways to integrate the technology into different types of devices.
- The brain can adapt to 3D visuals with prolonged exposure, but it’s important to take breaks to avoid discomfort or fatigue.
- Acer has received mostly positive feedback on the technology, and is addressing concerns regarding pricing, size, and suitability for everyone.
G-LYFE Nation: Hi Jane, thanks for joining us today. I’ve been checking out the Predator Helios 300 SpatialLabs Edition and I think the replayability of video games with spatial technology is amazing. What’s your take on this?
Jane Hsu, Acer Director, Business Development, Spatial Computing Product Business: Hi, thanks for having me. I believe that spatial computing technology adds a new level of replayability to video games. It’s like a cheat code because players can experience the game in a whole new way and rediscover elements they may have missed before. It makes the game feel new again, even if they’ve already beaten it. Can you give some examples of games that you’ve played with the technology?
G-LYFE Nation: Sure, I’ve played Darksiders 3, Borderlands 2, and I’m looking forward to trying Elite Dangerous this weekend. I was also surprised to find out that even 2D fighting games like Injustice 2 can look amazing in 3D with this technology. That’s impressive. I was under the impression that the technology wouldn’t work with 2D games. Can you explain how that works?
Jane Hsu: Actually, even 2D games have depth and geometry, so if they are built with 3D elements, the technology can still work with them. Our technique takes the depth and texture information that’s already in the game and puts it back into stereoscopic 3D. We use shaders, depth maps, and two virtual cameras to render two visuals for the left and right eye.
G-LYFE Nation: Interesting! If I understand correctly, the technology utilizes two cameras to capture the game in 3D, which may require significant processing power to render two frames. Is this why you suggest that a high-resolution display, such as 4K, would be optimal?
Jane Hsu: Yes, that’s right. We recommend a high-resolution display like 4K because rendering two frames requires a lot of processing power. It’s similar to VR in that sense but with a much higher resolution.
G-LYFE Nation: I appreciate your explanation on the technology and providing examples of games that are compatible with it. Could you elaborate a bit more on Acer’s approach to testing these 3D profiles?
Jane Hsu: Yes, we spend a lot of time testing these 3D profiles to make sure they don’t break the gaming experience. We take all the information that’s already in the game and put it back into stereoscopic 3D. Our technique doesn’t change anything about the game itself. It just enhances the visuals. We test it to make sure it’s stable and doesn’t cause any issues.
G-LYFE Nation: Could you please share more about the glasses-free 3D technology?
Jane Hsu: Absolutely! Glasses-free 3D technology is a cutting-edge innovation that enables users to experience 3D visuals without the need for specialized glasses or headsets. By projecting distinct images to each eye, this technology creates an immersive illusion of depth and dimensionality. We firmly believe that this technology holds immense potential for both entertainment and productivity applications.
G-LYFE Nation: How does it compare to VR technology?
Jane Hsu: Well, VR is a completely immersive experience that puts you entirely into a virtual world, while glasses-free 3D still allows you to have a sense of presence in the real world. It’s a different type of immersion, but we think it’s a valuable one. Plus, since it doesn’t require any additional equipment, it’s a more accessible option for people who might not have a VR headset or who just want a more casual experience.
G-LYFE Nation: I completely understand what you mean. It can be difficult to maintain the optimal viewing angle when using this technology. Are there any steps being taken to address this issue and enhance the user experience?
Jane Hsu: Yes, we’re definitely looking into ways to improve this. Right now, our camera sensors are designed for a desktop-sized experience, but we’re exploring ways to make the viewing area larger and more flexible. Additionally, our eye-tracking technology helps ensure that you always have a sharp and crisp 3D visual, which we think is really important for the overall experience.
G-LYFE Nation: Can you tell us a bit about the inspiration behind the development of Spatial Labs and the glasses-free 3D technology?
Jane Hsu: Sure. Our team at Acer was originally focused on VR and enterprise VR specifically, but we saw the limitations of the technology and wanted to explore new ways to create immersive experiences. We saw the potential of glasses-free 3D, especially given the advancements in display resolution, AI, and real-time rendering. We think that by combining all of these technologies, we can create a new type of immersive experience that has applications for both entertainment and productivity.
G-LYFE Nation: How do you see the technology evolving in the future?
Jane Hsu: Well, as I mentioned earlier, we’re definitely exploring ways to make the viewing area larger and more flexible. We’re also looking into ways to integrate the technology into different types of devices, like televisions and mobile phones. Additionally, we’re always looking for ways to improve the overall visual quality and fidelity of the experience, which we think will be a key factor in driving adoption of the technology.
G-LYFE Nation: You mentioned some of the technology that’s already evolving, but what else do you see coming to fruition in the near future?
Jane Hsu: Well, right now, we’re seeing a lot of development in the spatial live 3D space, particularly in gaming. But we’re also seeing interest from professionals in various verticals, such as medical and education, who are looking to create 3D experiences that can enhance their work.
G-LYFE Nation: What steps have been taken to expand this technology to smartphones and tablets?
Jane Hsu: Yes, we’re definitely considering it. Right now, though, we need more computing power than what’s available on most smartphones and tablets. But we’re constantly exploring different form factors and 3D technologies to see how we can make it work.
G-LYFE Nation: That makes sense. What about getting the technology out there to developers and content creators? How do you plan to spread the word?
Jane Hsu: We’re starting with gaming, since that’s where a lot of the 3D content is being created. We’ve already had a lot of interest from game developers and content creators who are excited about the possibilities. We were just at GDC recently, and we received a lot of positive feedback from industry professionals who were impressed with what we’ve been able to achieve so far.
G-LYFE Nation: So right now, you’re basically working on connecting all these partnerships and collaborations right within the gaming industry. Is there anything on your board that you think in the immediate future would help spatial technology either grow or get better?
Jane Hsu: Certainly. Currently, we’re striving to support all major gaming platforms such as Steam, Epic, GOG, and Microsoft Store. However, it’s a challenging task for us as these platforms undergo regular updates and policy changes that may sometimes break the user experience. We have to revisit and fix the issues every time there’s a game or platform update. Our aim is to establish a strong relationship with the gaming community and ensure that the profiles are updated accordingly to provide a seamless experience for the users. It would be great to collaborate with gaming platforms to stay ahead of the changes and test the profiles before releasing them to ensure compatibility with new updates.
G-LYFE Nation: That sounds like an excellent approach. It’s important to ensure that the profiles are tested and updated before the users encounter any issues. Moving on to eye strain, it’s a common concern when it comes to 3D technology. Some individuals experience it, while others don’t. Speaking from personal experience with this system, I’ve only experienced eye strain when using my eye-safe glasses. However, when I don’t use them, I don’t face any issues. In contrast, I don’t experience any eye strain while using a normal monitor with my eye-safe glasses.
Jane Hsu: We conducted extensive long-term testing for our users because we understand that everyone’s experience can be different. Some individuals may experience eye strain and fatigue after just 30 minutes of 3D viewing, while others can continue for hours without any problems. The headache or discomfort isn’t really in your eyes, but it’s a result of your brain processing the 3D visuals that are being presented to your eyes. It’s not like we’re putting anything directly in front of your eyes, but we’re presenting different information to your left and right eye, which your brain then processes to create the 3D image. This processing can put additional strain on the brain, which can result in discomfort or fatigue. Therefore, it’s more accurate to say that it’s a brain strain, rather than an eye strain. Additionally, when viewing content in 3D, you may notice details that were not visible in 2D, which can lead to increased cognitive processing and, in turn, fatigue.
G-LYFE Nation: That’s interesting. So it’s really more about training your brain to process the 3D visuals for longer periods of time. Do you have any recommendations for users to reduce the strain on their brains while using this technology?
Jane Hsu: We always advise our users to take a break after 30 minutes of continuous viewing, which is a general recommendation for any display. However, we also understand that the brain can adapt to 3D visuals with prolonged exposure. While there isn’t any medical evidence supporting this, we have noticed that our team, who has extensive experience with 3D visuals, has become more accustomed to it over time. Initially, it might be challenging, but with practice, it can become more comfortable. However, it’s important to note that some individuals may have difficulty processing stereo images, which can lead to issues with our display in daily life.
G-LYFE Nation: Can you share some insights on the feedback you’ve received so far? How are you implementing that feedback to improve the technology? Specifically, I’m interested in hearing about feedback from individuals like myself who have been using the technology for some time now. Have you noticed more positive or negative feedback?
Jane Hsu: Thank you for your question. We have received mostly positive feedback on the technology. However, we understand that it may not be suitable for everyone, and some individuals may not find it appealing. Additionally, pricing and size have been a concern for some users. We acknowledge these concerns and consider them as valuable feedback for us. We are committed to addressing these issues and improving the technology to cater to a wider audience with different preferences and requirements. Our goal is to recommend the technology for different user scenarios and accommodate various conditions.
G-LYFE Nation: Is there anything else you’d like to add about the technology and where it’s headed?
Jane Hsu: Just that we’re really excited about the potential of spatial computing and the impact it can have across various industries. We’re committed to continuing to innovate and push the boundaries of what’s possible, and we’re excited to see where this technology will take us in the future.
