If you needed any reassurance that the videogame industry is doing just fine, thank you very much, then Microsoft's E3 press conference Monday morning provided it. Hundreds of journalists and industry members crammed into the Galen Center in Los Angeles, creating an unending sea of Twittering laptops and iPhones. The fellow next to me had journeyed all the way from Sweden to be here. Luckily for him, and us, Microsoft delivered. It was a splashy presentation with surprising star voltage — look, it's Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr! And what's this? Steven Spielberg at a video game show? But all the razzle-dazzle didn't overshadow the fact that Microsoft had some pretty substantial products to show off.
The coolest, by far, is a motion-capture camera for the Xbox 360 that Microsoft is currently calling Project Natal. This is what's making Spielberg so excited. Natal, which looks like a rectangular bar that sits above or below your TV, can track your body's movements in three dimensions. Thus, there's no need for a game controller, or as Don Mattrick, the senior VP of Xbox, puts it, "We're using the best controller ever invented: you."
Natal is Microsoft's response to Nintendo's extremely successful Wii, and it promises to trump the Wii in a couple of ways. First off, Natal utilizes face recognition — simply stand in front of your TV, and Natal will figure out who you are and sign you in. Second, Natal features voice recognition, so you can use verbal commands to do everything from playing a movie (simply say "play movie") to having a conversation with a virtual character. The latter is where we enter groundbreaking (and potentially unnerving) territory. Developer Lionhead Studios showed off a Natal project in which players can interact with a virtual boy named Milo, who responds to your voice, movements, and facial expressions. It's best to check out the demo video yourself, embedded below:
With inventions such as Natal, we're quickly approaching a future in which humans can partake in a virtual experience that's nearly indistinguishable from the real thing. And then we'll be faced with intriguing decisions: If a skateboarding video game requires the same body movements as actual skateboarding, why not simply go outside and ride a skateboard? If you can have authentic conversations with a virtual person, will you choose to do so — possibly at the expense of your true relationships? For now, let's admit that Microsoft's Natal made quite an impression. There's no word yet on when the device will be available or how much it'll cost, but it will be compatible with every Xbox 360 system.
PopWatchers, what do you make of Natal? Think it'll be the death of the Nintendo Wii? Or are you not convinced? And who here thinks Milo is a bit too charming for his own good? I think the little guy may be up to something…Skynet, anyone?
Um hello – Microsoft – please STOP coping NIntendo. How will you ever grow as a company whne all you can do is copy and paste?
Um hello – Microsoft – please STOP coping NIntendo. How will you ever grow as a company whne all you can do is copy and paste?
What? This is way beyond Ninteno Wii. This is truly a great achievement.
I think the question here is what are they planning to launch Natal with? The Wii’s popularity came because Nintendo gambled and targeted non-gamers with a lot of basic, user-friendly games at a cheaper price, rather than trying to compete with the advanced graphics engines of PS3 and Xbox. People bought a Wii in addition to the machines they used for serious gaming. So what is Natal going to be used for? If X-Box continues to target their Live followers and uses Natal for ‘gamers’ games, then I don’t see it being as successful as Wii, especially if it’s expensive. Wii’s success in the face of less advanced graphics prove that bigger isn’t necessarily better. But if Natal can work itself into mainstream with a friendly interface and family-friendly games–while being available with X-Box’s superior graphics and plethora of licensees, then it does have the potential to overshadow Wii–perhaps crush it.
I think the question here is what are they planning to launch Natal with? The Wii’s popularity came because Nintendo gambled and targeted non-gamers with a lot of basic, user-friendly games at a cheaper price, rather than trying to compete with the advanced graphics engines of PS3 and Xbox. People bought a Wii in addition to the machines they used for serious gaming. So what is Natal going to be used for? If X-Box continues to target their Live followers and uses Natal for ‘gamers’ games, then I don’t see it being as successful as Wii, especially if it’s expensive. Wii’s success in the face of less advanced graphics prove that bigger isn’t necessarily better. But if Natal can work itself into mainstream with a friendly interface and family-friendly games–while being available with X-Box’s superior graphics and plethora of licensees, then it does have the potential to overshadow Wii–perhaps crush it.
Caprica before the Fall.
I think the concept is amazing but not sure how it will translate to the gaming world. Personally I’d rather go sit by a real water front with real people then with that Milo kid so I’m interested to see how they make it worth playing rather then go spend time with real people.
But it is definitely a cool concept.
The Natal live demo was pretty interesting. I like the control concept – very Minority Report. I have the current camera & what’s funny is I feel a little self concious about it. I’d just die if I was gaming in my undies & forgot it on. With Natal, it’s more likely you’d have it on all the time.
Personally, I liked Sony’s announced offering better.
OK – that’s just creepy.
OK – that’s just creepy.
I think all u sony D*** riders out there need to realize xbox is here to play, they are not joking around. this is fun innovating technology. taking gaming to a whole new level. i would liek 2 see exactly what games can be played on the natal such as madden, nba 2k, i dont get how da game knew da girl was pressing da gas or the brake in that racing game. i just hope they rest easy with da pricing. lol
I think all u sony D*** riders out there need to realize xbox is here to play, they are not joking around. this is fun innovating technology. taking gaming to a whole new level. i would liek 2 see exactly what games can be played on the natal such as madden, nba 2k, i dont get how da game knew da girl was pressing da gas or the brake in that racing game. i just hope they rest easy with da pricing. lol
I think all u sony D*** riders out there need to realize xbox is here to play, they are not joking around. this is fun innovating technology. taking gaming to a whole new level. i would liek 2 see exactly what games can be played on the natal such as madden, nba 2k, i dont get how da game knew da girl was pressing da gas or the brake in that racing game. i just hope they rest easy with da pricing. lol
all u guys are just haters the xbox 360 with natal is now officially the best system out there not even wii can do that espacially the ps3