Xbox Project Natal

[coveycom]

This looks amazing and has just been announced by Microsoft during their E3 Press Conference:

Full Body Motion Sensing - You are the controller
Enjoy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=biQR0qsPWzg

[karatiekid]

Wow! Its amazing what technology can do now, eh? :D ;)

[coveycom]

Yeah if you get to see the whole conference its certainly worth it, at least the last 20 minutes anyway,

Here's the Milo video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryqlR_ZwWQE

Here's the Riohochet & Paint Party being demonstrated on stage:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QnDgGkkYWDg


here's the Project Natal Microsite:
http://www.xbox.com/en-US/live/projectnatal/

[munkle]

Looks quite impressive, though I haven't watched that much footage of it up to this point due to someone frequently pinching the laptop ;)

I keep reading comments that it reminds people of the eyetoy, and to be honest it does me too, I guess this could be seen as the next logical progression for motion control, despite the fact that I'm quite happy with the modern technology we/wii have. it's an interesting insight into the direction the companies are heading, though I had to laugh when Ubisoft released details of their own camera that will will be incorporating full body motion controls for use with the Wii :)

Certainly makes you wonder what Nintendo have up their sleeve :D

Just watched that first vid, Covey. :o Is this for real? Lol! Seems a bit too ... weird! How can the character understand everything? very spooky. And very cool.

[huzzellio]

As much as I'm impressed with the technology crammed into this gadget and with the Minority Report style menu navigation, I'm slightly unsure. Quite often I just feel like sitting down with a controller rather than leaping around like a lunatic!

Although this seems like the next logical progression in technology, I can't help but feel this limits the game types you can make, I mean what about football games, or RTS games? And what about beat 'em ups, doesn't standing in front of your enemy swinging your legs around to hit them seem limited? I want to move around, back off and rotate around the arena, can this let you achieve that? Is my lounge big enough?? I doubt it! :confused:

I'm concerned that the lack of controller brings with it a lack of control. Maybe wrong.

That said, it is a very impressive piece of kit!

[huzzellio]

Okay, sorry for the double post I've just seen the Milo video and nearly soiled myself in amazement lol!! Okay, the motion controls are clever but aren't wowing me, but this interacting with characters malarky has mind blowing potential in games, with or without a controller!!

[munkle]

Okay, sorry for the double post I've just seen the Milo video and nearly soiled myself in amazement lol!! Okay, the motion controls are clever but aren't wowing me, but this interacting with characters malarky has mind blowing potential in games, with or without a controller!!

I feel the same way and, as I mentioned to Covey, it's nice to have a controller as it sort of reassures you that you are playing a game, and waving the remote about to move the screen is fine by me, I love it. That trailer is inspirational with the kid on, but it just seems a bit too involved. A little less gamey, and a little bit too reality. Sometimes half the fun is the escapism from real life, whereas these concepts and innovations seem to be getting towards a new dimension in reality. Reality gaming, I guess.

And as you say, you don't always want to leap around the living room like a lunatic! Lol!

I don't want to detract from the awesomeness of the technology being exhibited, but at this stage it seems a bit too 'intrusive' (for want of a better word) for my liking.

Two minds. Two minds ;)

[huzzellio]

I'm just thinking what better way to play an RPG than actually interacting with the characters properly. Fallout 3 would have been incredible :D

[munkle]

I'm just thinking what better way to play an RPG than actually interacting with the characters properly. Fallout 3 would have been incredible :D

Hmmm ... That does sound cool. But I just don't know at this stage. They've certainly opened up the conference on a high note. Let's hope Microsoft's competitors have equally stunning revelations :D

Fully interactive RPGs .... Hmmmm ...

[coveycom]

I hear what your saying, my round-houses are'nt what they used to be :D

Well Sony's conference followed Nintendos yesterday and for those who didn't see their version of motion controls (which are dated and are due to be released Mar'10) here's a link to a video showing you their demonstration:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgKlpZI0Yx0

So as you can see its quite impressive too and maybe bridges the two concepts, the microsoft version seems to edge it having voice recognition for me but then as Huzz has mentioned with no controller the possibilities maybe somewhat limited but the its going to be the software that will dictate which one of these comes out on top, until we see some more I'll reserve my final judgement.

I know this a motion control thread but I have to show you the demo for ModNation Racers which Sony showed off last night, the video is 8 minutes long but a great watch:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULgknP-owRk

8)

[munkle]

There's a similar theme going on at this years conference ... but I can't quite put my finger on it! ;)

As you said, they all have their strengths, and I'm sure they'll each have something to offer to different people. One thing is clear: the tech teams have been busy! What a great year it's been for gaming. Plenty on offer for everyone to gawp at.

More than the actual motion controlled shenannigans, I think that racing game has huge potential and has really impressed me. The fact that you can design your own characters and courses is beyond cool. Especially when the interface looks as simplistic and user-friendly as the one in the demo. Good stuff. :)

[Junior]

Looks amazing. Hopefully it will be sucessful. I'd get it.

Nice to see the so called "Bigger compainies" Using wii's ideas.

[munkle]

I read on IGN that when they tried to use Milo, it didn't quite do some of the things it did in the demo. So whether or not they exaggerated how advanced the tech is at this stage is questionable. But still, it's in the potential I guess, and potentially it's impressive. No denying it.

But yes, to say how much they were saying Wii is a gimmick, funny how they are now copying - and building on, in some cases - its motion controls.

:rolleyes:

[thelocaluk]

Both these new motion controllers look like they have something new to offer to their consoles but I feel the success lies with the game developers rather than the hardware. I think Sonys idea will be the easiest to develop for as its not a million miles from the Wiimote, so lots of kiddie mini games are on their way :rolleyes: Where as Natal has the most interesting potential but will require some good innovation to get the most from it, otherwise it will go the same way as the PS Eye.