Project Natal will serve as an add-on (AP)
As the newly appointed Denver Xbox Examiner, what credibility would I have if I didn’t mention Microsoft’s biggest announcement of E3 2009, Project Natal?
If you haven’t heard, Project Natal is the new motion sensor technology that Xbox 360 is testing out for their next wave of gaming much like Nintendo’s Wii, only that Project Natal uses no controller whatsoever. That’s right, rather than being required to hold a wand and a nunchuck, this version of motion sensor gaming is completely hands free... well, other than your actual hands.
This concept of gaming raises a lot of questions, much like Wii did when it was first launched, the main one: will it work? And not just work, work in the way it was intended to. The Wii was able to successfully prove doubters wrong, but this, in my opinion, is a whole other frontier.
What I see Project Natal, which Microsoft used Steven Spielberg as their E3 spokesperson, as is an attempt to bring those newly hooked gamers that were reeled in the Wii’s ease of use (such as dad and grandma)–it’s a bridge builder. For moderate to serious gamers such as myself I see this as a possible step back for Microsoft’s main consumers. We like having that controller in our hand allows us different combinations of attacks, flight maneuvers and other movements... not training our bodies new ways to move. We don’t want the Power Glove 2.0.!
On the other side of this argument lies a brilliant idea from Microsoft that will almost guarantee a huge spike in sales because it’s a supplement for a new system that will probably cost, roughly, $200, rather than sprouting $500 for a whole new console... let’s just attach an add-on!
Not only does this allow for saving money in an economy that we’re still waiting to come back to surface, but it brings those gamers who got hooked on the Wii over from Nintendo to Microsoft with a product that promises to be easier than easy. At the same time, we’re able connect our standard Xbox 360 controllers and play [enter name of a groundbreaking shooter here], while our families can play “pop the bubbles” when we’re not around.
Honestly, when I stared this post I was really skeptic about Project Natal, but the more I dissected my thoughts on paper (or the computer screen), I realized that this might not be so bad afterall.
Comments
Nice dude you no when it will come out?
Sadly, Microsoft hasn't even hinted at a release date. Although, Natal does mean Christmas in Portuguese.
I think, assuming neither flop, both the PS3's Motion Controller and Microsoft's Project Natal will have added a couple of years at least to this console cycle. We could be looking at 2015 now before we see the next batch of hardware, which is something I'm very glad about.
Although such a development does put MS on the back foot given EA's statement about them being 'maxed out' on the 360 but not on the PS3, which is probably why they decided to take such a radical approach to motion control. They need to be very careful it doesn't just turn into Eyetoy Plus though.
I'm also dubious about the lack for 'real' demos, and the lack of final hardware (the one used in the mocked up trailers is a non-working prototype). It seems like it could slip to 2011, whereas Sony have already confirmed a Spring 2010 release.
MS also lack the extensive 1st party support Sony have which is a worry - like Nintendo, Sony can rely on 1st party games to get their controller off the ground.
The technology is impressive. The recognition software/firmware is clearly very strong. Though I don't think the controller is dead, this does open up a whole new world in terms of interaction. One has to think past just games when it comes to the 360 since it also encompasses other media. Further, now the 360 can be sure we are bowing before it, where as before it simply had to assume we were showing homage and paying tribute and bowing and scraping! ;-)
"Xbox, I want to play Gears of War 2."
"IMPRUDENCE!!! YOU HAVE NOT SHOWN PROPER RESPECT! BOW DOWN BEFORE ME UNWORTHY ONE!"
"UH I just want to play a game..."
"Bow I say! Now you must also give me 20! Get to work! We're losing daylight son, move, move, move!"
Hmmmm...
You know i pretty sure that you will have a choice on most games to play with Controller or Natal. So if your gonna complain about not being able to play with a controller, then stop right because it willl probably not be a concern.
Controller use in game play would neglect the point of a system as extensive as Natal.
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