Microsoft’s Project Natal controller-free gaming system moved a step closer to its rumoured 2010 release after several high-profile video games publishers and developers announced at the Tokyo Games Show that they were working on titles for the platform.
Microsoft says the enthusiasm of developers and publishers highlighted the “widespread enthusiasm” for Natal, a gaming system based on the Xbox 360 that enables players to do away with a conventional controller and instead make natural gestures to control on-screen action.
Several major publishers, including Activision, Blizzard, Capcom, Electronic Arts and Sega, will announce at this week’s Tokyo Games Show that they are working on games that will complement the Project Natal platform and work with its gesture-controlled interface.
Project Natal
It has raised speculation that the gaming system could be in shops by the end of next year, sparking a new console war with rival platforms Sony and Nintendo.
“Project Natal could fundamentally change the way players experience sports games,” said Peter Moore, president of EA Sports. “Some of our top development teams are experimenting with these tools with the goal of delivering a completely fresh take on genres like sports and racing.”
Project Natal was unveiled at the E3 games show in Los Angeles in June. It is designed to work with existing Xbox 360 games consoles, and uses a camera, depth-sensor and microphones to track the movement of a player and replicate it on-screen.
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May 15th, 2010 at 10:37 am
Microsoft has confirmed that its motion-sensing camera for the Xbox 360, codenamed Project Natal, is set to launch worldwide sometime in October 2010, ready for the Christmas buying season. The news comes via an interview on Saudi television with Microsoft Saudi marketing manager, Syed Bilal Tariq.
Asked during the interview when Natal would be available, Tariq replied that the motion-sensing device would be launched “somewhere in October”. He added that the company would “be in a position to confirm the date at E3″ but that “definitely it is going to be October 2010″.
It has long been suspected that the device, which allows players to interact with their console without any controllers, would be released in time for the busy Christmas shopping period. And if rumours are to be believed, Natal may be released alongside a slim version of Microsoft’s Xbox 360 console.
May 26th, 2010 at 10:49 pm
Natal will be hitting the store shelves in America for $149, and be bundled with Xbox360 Arcade for $299, according to edge-online. The source of the information even claims that project Natal will also be renamed, which will be announced next month at E3.
Natal is said to launch on October 26 worldwide, but could be postponed further if the project faces any further delays. The device appears to be headed for a holiday season release.
The standalone Natal unit is said to retail for $149 in the US, and estimated to retail for £103 / €121 international and £207 / €243 for the Xbox360 Arcade bundle (based on current exchange rates).
When Natal hits retailers, it will be more expensive than the PlayStation Move, when it was announced earlier this year for $100 with a game.
According to the source, “Microsoft expects to sell millions and millions of Natal units in its first year on the market so you can expect the software launch line-up to target non-traditional gamers.” Natal is looking to target the non-hardcore gamers with its controller-less camera.
With the release of Natal, gamers can expect a marketplace to contain more games focused towards casual gamers and families.
June 14th, 2010 at 11:14 am
Microsoft officially unveiled the final naming for “Project Natal” today.
Dubbed Kinect for Xbox 360, the controller-free game device is set to go on sale later this year. Microsoft is set to announce pricing and release dates at an E3 press briefing later today.
The technology behind Natal is fairly simple, a TV-mounted camera/microphone bar to sense motion, sound and movement. What’s new and ground breaking is the tracking of 3D movement as well as 2D movement. The system is also able to scan users faces and sign them into Xbox live, as well as react to vocal tone and pitch, and process this data in real-time.
The groundbreaking technology was introduced by both Stephen Spielberg and gaming legend Peter Molyneux at E3 in 2009. Both believe the technology has the power to turn games into a true mass entertainment medium. Microsoft is expected to detail the exact release date, pricing and games that Kinect will support later today.
June 14th, 2010 at 6:10 pm
Microsoft has revealed final details of its Xbox 360 hands-free motion control system, which it has rebranded Kinect.
The device, which was originally codenamed Project Natal, was showcased ahead of the opening of the E3 games expo, which starts on 15 June in LA.
Microsoft has said Kinect will hit shelves before the end of the year.
It will face competition from Sony’s PlayStation Move controller and Nintendo’s upgraded WiiMotion Plus.
Both are expected to feature at the E3 expo, which runs from 15-17 June.
Kinect was shown off at a glitzy event alongside compatible games, which support the new hands-free interface and, in some cases, the facial and voice recognition capabilities.
These ranged from jumping and flying games to a yoga simulator and Star Wars shooter, in which players control a virtual light sabre and use hand gestures to control action on the screen.
There was also a virtual pet, which can be controlled and played with using Kinect. Microsoft says it will release the full details of its games at another media event on 14 June.
Another Kinect game that was demoed on the night was Dance Central from MTV Games which allows the player to coordinate their dance moves in time to an on-screen prompt.