Yeah your are right. And I want point out that WipEout HD currently cannot
transmit the difference in scales. Everything is supposed to be huge, but
WipEout HD lacks to transmit that feeling. Hence, we need a lot of (well known)
reference points to perceive each given scale. Showing the pilot beside his craft,
like you have mentioned, is a way to go. Additionally, one could also modify the
textures such that they include a way to transmit scale.
Here is another impression from CES about WipEout HD in three-dimension;
// arstechnica: CES 2009: Sony teases with high-quality PS3 3D
{ ... I couldn't pry details about how the 3D affect was achieved, or if the
display could turn any source into 3D, but what's clear is that, glasses
or no, the 3D affect is amazing. Sony showed off Wipeout HD running
in true 3D, and I was ready to whip out my credit card right there. Frank
and I both agreed, this was one of the best demos of 3D technology we
have ever seen. ...
} [Reference]
Sounds rather promising.