The lights are on
In the interest of courting ever-elusive mainstream press coverage, Microsoft has been spending recent weeks showing off Natal's most basic games to a number of non-gaming outlets. Two of these have been seen a good bit before, while two others have had very little info emerge thus far. The Los Angeles Times is reporting about its experience with the new motion sensitive device, and describes four projects in detail that have been seen in various incarnations over the months since Natal was announced. An Obstacle Course demo presents a sequence of challenges that require the player to twist, duck, and jump over objects. River Rush is a mini-game that has players rafting along past waterfalls and jutting rocks. Ricochet has become the most familiar Natal demo to many, with players spasmodically jerking about in front of the television to bounce balls back and forth. The game also offered Microsoft a chance to show off its facial recognition software, which will allow, among other things, for parents to lock certain games and experiences from their young children. Finally, Living Statue appears to be a continued push on Microsoft's Avatar program. This demo shows off the ability to have avatars dance and sing, with the added ability to email the completed video to friends. Taken as a whole, core gamers will rightfully scoff at the simplistic nature of these early demos. However, it's important to note that these first looks were specifically targeted to audiences without a gaming background. The more robust Natal experiences will undoubtedly get their time in the sun early next week, when Microsoft names their motion controller, and shows off the best the system can offer to serious gamers.
Email the author Matt Miller, or follow on Game Informer.
KILL IT WITH FIRE!
dumb
I hope that microsoft is carful with this, these type of thing can either be really cool, or suck @ss... Not only that with Microsoft's constant problem of putting out devices that break, and cost a *** load, better have the hard core gamer in the very front of their mind.. Cause thats Xbox main player...
I wont be getting Natal, but it does look like it might achieve some success. At least its not a cheap Wii knock-off like the Playstation Move.
One game that could benefit from Natal: Guitar Hero .
Think about it.
I don't think I want to look like a retard bad enough to play this game on Natal.
This sounds worse than the Wii's party games... At lease Wii has a lot of good games too. Natal has what? Fable 3?
Like some from GI have said, if THIS is the future of gaming... I quit
I can't wait for "Broadside":
"The game where you spread your arms and legs, attempting to fill as much of the screen as possible with your bulk to stop your virtual friends from fleeing in terror at the site of your spastic jerking on-screen avatar."
Microsoft has to come up with something better than this.
i'd like it alot more if it had a remote
Honestly, whatever name they could come up with will be worse than Natal. Everyone knows it as the Natal now, so to change it will be pulling a Wii.
These simplistic demos shadow wii sports, and having owned a wii, all I did the first month was master those. I think its a great idea to show people how fluid and engaging the basics can be before asking em to pay for a full game they aren't as confident about. I saw the ps moves fighting game and while the rep was describing how fluid it is, the guy playing it even looked unconvinced. Ya don't cook a five course meal before learning to boil an egg. I'm psyched.
I wonder when Microsoft will start having commercials showcase that you can't throw a controller through your TV with Project Nasal.
"Unlike other competitors that make you look stupid and break your television screen. We at Microsoft only make you look stupid!"
I really hope that last paragraph is true. Of course, if the mountain-sized pile of shovel-ware currently on the Wii is any indication, Natal won't be helping out many hardcore games. Can you imagine playing an FPS with this thing? You'd look like you were having a seizure. And anyone with any sort of health problems probably would go into a seizure.
The one way I could see this actually being awesome for serious games if it they integrate it in small amounts, for minor but cool tasks. You use the regular control except in a few cases. For instance; Gears of War's reloading. Instead of timing a button press for the extra boost, you have to physically move your hand/arm in the right movement. Or, in any given FPS, grenades can be mapped to Natal. Throw your arm back and you lob a grenade when you throw it forward. In an RPG have everything control based except for the menus, and maybe, when investigating say a chest, you can actually reach down and pull open the lid.
Of course, all of these things would be cool only if, and this is a big if, the camera is accurate and has zero lag. If its anything like the Wii Remote, it won't work.
I will more than likely not be getting this. After seeing that family on youtube in action with it....'shudders'.
I have been saying this ever since I saw Natal:FAIL
Just leave the voice and camera recognition to pull up profiles and games and movies that complete your mood
I still predict Natal will fail hard...
Like I'm a Sony fan boy (look at my picture) but I haven't really been impressed with the natal. Microsoft should be focusing on getting more system exclusives.