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?
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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
Well, this just seems crazy. The point has been made, why play a skateboarding game that would get you to do actual skateboarding moves when you can just go outside. This is the problem with our nation, we just wanna consume and never leave our fat arses off the couch. If we could do our touletries, relationships, work, entertainment, and yes, even eating without leaving the couch, we would buy that product instantly. Microsoft, I am very disapointed in you. All this crap is just to keep us from doing what we should do, help each other. You people are f**** up.
Well, this just seems crazy. The point has been made, why play a skateboarding game that would get you to do actual skateboarding moves when you can just go outside. This is the problem with our nation, we just wanna consume and never leave our fat arses off the couch. If we could do our touletries, relationships, work, entertainment, and yes, even eating without leaving the couch, we would buy that product instantly. Microsoft, I am very disapointed in you. All this crap is just to keep us from doing what we should do, help each other. You people are f**** up.
Hey Meso Soup, people learn by copying you idiot. And to be honest microsoft are a bigger and better company than nintendo. And theyve had less years in the gaming industry and look what theyve achieved in that time. So dont write such stupid s**t. Retard
Hey Meso Soup, people learn by copying you idiot. And to be honest microsoft are a bigger and better company than nintendo. And theyve had less years in the gaming industry and look what theyve achieved in that time. So dont write such stupid s**t. Retard
Hey Meso Soup, people learn by copying you idiot. And to be honest microsoft are a bigger and better company than nintendo. And theyve had less years in the gaming industry and look what theyve achieved in that time. So dont write such stupid s**t. Retard
That is just awesome! I love how technology is getting so successful and growing! I’m stoked to see when this actually comes out!
Stupid. Microsoft is such a desperate, wannabe company. I have about zero interest in their games, crummily built systems, or gimmicks. They’ll be tomorrow’s Sega.
does any one here remeber that aerosmith clip back in the 90’s where there was a guy in that clip is wearing something like futurstic sunglass that make hime live a virtual realaty to follow a girl or something like that… i was young at that time and thought that it’s an star wars idea but now let me tell u this life is full of suprises NO WONDER!!! …
Hey Shaun.
Nintendo has been in the video game industry for over 20 years. And they have achieved so much they don’t really need to achieve any more.
They are responsible for most of what we see in video games today.
Don’t say Microsoft are better. If you even bothered to look at Nintendo’s accomplishments you find out you’d be dead wrong.
Microsoft has done better than I expected no doubt though. Sony has also shown to be quite a tough competitor too.
But all companies are the same and each have their highs and lows.
Don’t ever say any is better than the other unless you have facts to back it up. If you dare I have essays that go back 20-30 years that prove Microsoft are nothing compared to the others.
Anyway it’ll be interesting to see hwere this attempt leads us. I really don’t want to see all games being about motion once in a while I still prefer the old traditional controller and I hope that stays around too.
Oh no! Now when I do an exercise game, it will be able to tell when I’m slacking and quit the jumping jacks early!
Why skateboard virtually when you could go outside to do it? Well, because right now it is raining… To Erika: Microsoft is trying to get the casual gamer/consumer with this and compete with Wii (see the demos in the XBox site – which don’t show the usual hard core player). For example, the painting application where you throw buckets of paint to a canvas.
This is simply the best thing you can ask for.You can talk crap all they long about how much you hate xbox.When Microsoft releases Natal i will get one and enjoy playing.And you can keep your PS3 and Wii
I think Natal is very promising. However, I wish it had the precision of Sony’s motion control system. It’s also a shame Microsoft didn’t give a release date for it. Who knows when the rest of us will be able to get our hands on it.
This seems ideal in the same way the Wii did, for the smaller crowd. It’s a novelty and will not work easily with the majority of gamers. Too many of us would much rather use a controller instead of moving around. What about the people in dorms or apartments where there isn’t much room? You can’t still play it sitting down like you can with a Wiimote, and it will take tons of programming work on the developer’s end to put it into any worth-while games. I think the majority of the games that will support it will be just like the majority of the Wii’s selection. I could easily live without this. You people are going to think “Oh cool!” for now, but when you get your hands on it, it will only be fun for a limited time.
oii JPW even if nintendo is older, xbox 360 would rape nintendo wii, the graphics are f*ck*ng noob as. even a f*ckin ps1 is better then a f*ckin wii. I hate wii’s, Even though microsoft hasnt been around for aslong they are more advanced then wii, get it thru ur thick skull.
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