E3 2009: Microsoft Unveils Motion-sensing Project Natal
Microsoft has unveiled Project Natal, which features a motion sensing camera.
Stephen Spielberg demoed it on stage and says it will recognize "your entire being".
Although it's "not reinventing the wheel because there's no wheel at all", Microsoft plans to make games as accessible as possible, as it will work with the Xbox Dashboard, recognizes your face, and signs you in automatically.
Games using the camera were demoed.
3D Breakout where body controls the ball, and you can move arms, legs, head and kick the ball and it detects the speed and power of the hit.
Comparing itself to the Wii, Microsoft says that this is done up off the couch, with Waggle commands.
Another demo called Paint Party uses body and voice to "express inner creativity" by splattering paint onto a canvas. Just say the color you want and the game adds it.
No date for the camera yet, but it's still being shown behind closed doors to developers.
The Wii super system? This is like so not needed. Players today want epic earth moving titles from the two super consoles. Not a step above Wii controllers. They going after the Wii market share, lol?
I just keep thinking over and over what kind of games can take advatage of a peripheral like this one, I mean it's cool to be able to control the Xbox dashboard with hand gestures but it seems too gimicky, the kid that interacts with you via the camera seems like a nice thing for like the firts 5 minutes, unless Mr. Molyneux can craft a game from this it will be like Home is for PS3 right now.
But there is one little thing that everyone in their excietement hasn't thought of yet, and that is price, how much will this "cutting edge" technology cost the consumers?, $100, $200 dollars?
Would people be willing to pay $100 dollars to be able to use their dashboard with their hands?
I would rather buy Alan Wake or Splinter Cell Conviction than this peripheral.
And if it turns out costing more than $100 I think I'd rather get a Wii.
Until Microsoft can craft a game that truly astounds me using this system I'll have to remain esceptic and just see this Natal Project as a cool gimick and nothing more.
i mean honestly, whats the true point, to capitalize on the innovation of the wii & its market share. I own 2 wii's & the only time they see the light of day is when im playing with the kids (no Micheal Jackson jokes). casual gaming is the wii's forte, Micro$oft & $ony should invest money in new technology instead of making expensive knockoff's.
I bet it doesn't run as smooth as it seems motion sensors never seem to. Look at the skate part no way could it be that smooth, if it is I will put my apologies up here I know reliability has gone up but if i used my xbox that much it would be showing me a red circle by the end of the day.
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Originally Posted by imtoodvs 
