At the 2009 Consumer Electronics Show, Sony showed off PlayStation 3 games running in 3D (See below) at its booth on the expo floor. Though attendants stressed the footage was for demonstration purposes only, it did show Gran Turismo 5 Prologue and MotorStorm running in three full dimensions on a large HDTV. (Like the 3D movies currently being screened in theaters, it required special glasses to view.)

WipeOut HD in 3D...without the glasses
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Photo credit: CNET.

Now, Sony has confirmed that the first HDTVs to support PS3 3D gaming will likely hit the market next year. Last week at the IFA (Internationale Funkausstellung, or International Radio Exhibition) in Berlin, Sony reps told GameSpot sibling site CNET that the company is aiming to bring a PS3-compatible 3D Bravia HDTV into full production by the end of 2010.

To further tease the possibilities of the technology, Sony set up the prototype unit with a PS3 on the IFA show, showing off existing games like WipeOut HD being played in 3D. Company reps said the technology on display was built into the HDTV itself, meaning it would work with pre-existing PS3 games and consoles.

However, more importantly for gamers, Sony reps said the company is aiming to integrate the 3D technology into the PS3 hardware itself starting in 2011 and 2012. If that plan comes to fruition, those PS3 could turn any HDTV into a 3D display without any modification. The company said similar plans are underway for Blu-ray players and VAIO laptops.