At this year's Game Developers Conference, 3D and social issues take center stage

(Photo: Wikimedia Commons)Audience listen to a speaker during the 2011 GDC Conference.

This year's ongoing Game Developers Conference (GDC) in San Francisco (March 17 to 21, 2014 and Expo: March 19 to 21, 2014) has 3D games as part of the agenda for discussions. However, the conference will not only be for technology, but is also expected to have discussions around social issues.

The Game conference kicked off in San Francisco's Moscone Center on Monday, March 17, with exhibitors all set to show prototypes of video games, virtual-reality goggles, and many other products. The convention of game developers has, as part of its agenda, discussions on creating 3D games using new technology.

Programmers have longed designed video games for computers, mobile devices and television consoles. They also aim to develop three-dimensional simulations that are enabled by a special eyewear.

Closely linked to the 3D technology is virtual reality. This technology has been used for creating movies and is widely spreading to other systems.

Companies like Valve Corporation, which makes "Half Life" and "Portal," developed games based on such technology, as reported by the Wall Street Journal. Virtual reality goggles have built-in displays to assist in conveying the effect of stepping into a simulated world, instead of just depending on 3D glasses while watching a movie on screen.

Social issues will also be discussed during the games conference, and not just purely games and tech. Social issues up for examination and discussions includes homophobia, racism, and designing games for those with disabilities, as reported by the San Francisco Chronicle.

The 2014 GDC will also have Sony taking advance moves towards combining 3D technology with video games. The Japanese firm has scheduled an event during the weeklong conference on Tuesday, titled, "Driving the Future of Innovation at Sony Computer Entertainment."

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