Microsoft today introduced Project Natal, a method for interacting with games, controller free.The software giant unveiled the project at a packed out press event for this years E3 gaming expo in Los Angeles, California. The ground breaking technology was introduced by both Stephen Spielberg and gaming legend Peter Molyneux. Both believe the technology has the power to turn games into a true mass entertainment medium. Spielberg said "This is a pivotal moment that will carry with it a wave of change, the ripples of which will reach far beyond video games".
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 key to the system is accuracy and during one of the demos the presenter managed to move an avatar in a rather bizarre and un-human like fashion:
Regardless of the flaw in the demo, the technology looks promising and will allow users to interact with the Xbox menu systems, avatars and games specifically designed for the upcoming unit. Microsoft confirmed Natal, which has no official name, release date or price, will also work with existing Xbox 360 consoles as well as all future models.
we'll see when released how accurate it actually is.
And driving, ugh.. epic fail. What about shifting? Gas? Am I supposed to look behind me for it to show me what's behind me? lol It's a cool idea sure, but call me old fashioned I like holding something, even if its a wiimote.
I'd love to see them turn this into a PC accessory like they did with XBox Controller.
No need to replace your monitors and big screen TV with this tech. 8D
The pit stop guy is AMAZING. and watching movies. A-MAZING.
Just like driving and maintaining a car is so much harder than walking. Why not just walk?
yeah its nice, but people look so dumb.. its like air guitar...
Then the obvious 6 months of training it to recognise my voice
I am almost speechless. That is the best thing EVER!
I am almost speechless. That is the best thing EVER!
I have to agree. I can't see anything topping this. If it works as good as it does in the video, I might actually have to buy an Xbox.
It won't have the kind of precision shown in the video.
Last edited by Boramas on 01 Jun 2009 - 22:20
You mean the same Wii that is making Nintendo money by the bucketloads? That Wii?
You may go now.
I would hardly call the wii a gimmick.
I'm not so sure. This doesn't require the user to wear anything or hold a weird controller, or do anything other than be in front of a properly equipped display.
The result is a culture of freightened children that get little exercise and face the reality of becoming lazy and overweight.
This technology has the potential to change that by encouraging the entire family to get mobile without even leaving the home. Granted, it won't replace true outdoors activities real soon but in time it may.
the question is how much will it cost ? 200 bucks ? 300 ? maybe next xbox can have it built-in.
is it real or it's a demo, look too much amazing for me but no release date, no price... too good to be real ?
One thing though .... Microsoft will have to be very careful, the same thing that happened to Nintendo when it brought out the Wii will happen with this ! The Americans will be in "SUE" mode when they hurt themselves and or damage objects such as their TV!!
Nintendo had several cases where stupid Americans threw the "Nunjuck" at the TV screen (Hence the wrist strap... which still didn't work on some idiots).
One thing though .... Microsoft will have to be very careful, the same thing that happened to Nintendo when it brought out the Wii will happen with this ! The Americans will be in "SUE" mode when they hurt themselves and or damage objects such as their TV!!
Nintendo had several cases where stupid Americans threw the "Nunjuck" at the TV screen (Hence the wrist strap... which still didn't work on some idiots).
That's one of the advantages of "controllerless". What are you going to throw at the screen exactly?
Holy crap that is cool
While there are no doubt ways to make RPGs work with this, I get the feeling developers will not figure them out, ruin the genre, and used PS2 sales will stay steady for decades.
I think a fps style rpg like elder scrolls would be freaking amazing with this. Pulling back the string for the bow, maybe making a certian gesture for a spell could be epic.
Randomly accusing MS of stealing from someone they weren't even paying attention to? Ew, Nintendo users have become Apple users...
/Microsoft was paying attention to camera gesture recognition before the Wii hit the market. Hell, Logitech webcams came with cheesy webcam games back in the 90s.
Playing games with a controller is getting old. I want full interaction with my games and this looks to bring it how is that childish?
the face recognition login, and voice recognition is awesome, and if it reacts as smoothly as in the presentation even better.
its looking amazing for 'simple' gaming, id like to see how the do the controls for games like halo or COD.
Sorry but IT IS NOT POSSIBLE, not at least how is showed in the video, for most, it will become a powered eyetoy and thats it!.
:-/
Sorry but IT IS NOT POSSIBLE, not at least how is showed in the video, for most, it will become a powered eyetoy and thats it!.
:-/
O rly? You working with the MS team on this or work in the same field and have insider info that would show this is immposible? Untill it comes out or working demos for people to use hit conventions its way to early to say that.
Sorry but IT IS NOT POSSIBLE, not at least how is showed in the video, for most, it will become a powered eyetoy and thats it!.
:-/
lol.
http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/johnny_...mote_hacks.html
It's just now becoming practical for a consumer price point.
But you can have the best technology, you still need good games. Many good games needs to come out fast using "Natal".
And why must they not reveal the answer to "How many push ups Chuck Norris can do?", I mean, it is obviously infinite.
This is the kind of thing that gaming needs, something that everyone can do, and its fun. It really gets you off the couch and its easier to figure out than a controller.
mouse+keyb ftw
This is Microsoft's stab at that market share, their next step away from the world of buttons. I guess this could turn out well for the consumer, and on paper, it usually does for microsoft, but I've gotta say I'm a pessimist. I never really trust them to produce something solid. I see this as a formulaic, if-then profit formula from microsoft, versus the out of the box thinking at nintendo.
And that video really doesn't do them any favors, either.
i wonder how they're going to handle rumble/vibration feedback? visually?
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10253586-1.html
Looks very promising and very interesting
I'm just waiting for the USB powered pocket.... errrr... you know where I'm going with this...
So, it then boils down to two possiblities. 1, the "controls" for those games degrade in to a person doing generic gestures to do the over-the-top moves, which in my mind, defeats the whole purpose of the idea. or 2, games in which fantastical action and gameplay are marginalized and "realistic" games become the norm. I don't know about you, but both of those possiblities are terrifying.
This technology would be sweet for controlling a computer's OS (a.k.a Minority Report), but games? No way.
You'll pick up the xbox360 gamepad and play the game. Obviously this isn't practical for EVERY game as a main controller, but the possibilities are endless to enhance the game (put you into it).
Unless they need some online activation($$$
But I think that a physical controller will still be more accurate.
Will this really be very fun? The driving game really caught my attention. I really don't think it would be very fun to have to hold your hands out in front of you like the girl does for any length of time. The Wii really led the way with its new controller paradigm, but it didn't take me very long to grow tired of the novelty and forget about the system after finishing Twilight Princess and Mario Galaxy. A different way of controlling a game can only do so much. I can't see this device really taking us much further than the EyeToy and the Wii already have.
There is one thing to look forward to, however. Remember all those morons who threw their Wii controllers into their televisions? Imagine all of the kicked plasmas and kicked faces from little ninja turtles playing those fighting games. Can't wait to hear about that!
Also, when she's playing with the fish in the water, the things Mylo says aren't in response to anything she says, and could just be basic NPC-speak triggered by the processing of her image as a reflection in the surface. Likewise, when she calls him 'cheeky' for his joke, he doesn't directly respond to that.
There's some very clever code at work, and clearly a lot of research was put into conversation habits and patterns.
This makes the Nintendo Wii look like a baby's toy... Let's hope they get it to actually work like they have demonstrated in the videos without lots of miscue's.
Just insane!
i wounder if sony have been dveloping some thing like this too.
i may just be tempted to buy an xbox360.
fantastic work microsoft.
And that's where a Neural Impulse Actuator Controller could come in.
http://www.ocztechnology.com/products/ocz_...mpulse_actuator
I was thinking about a tilt board like the new tony hawk skateboard to control movement in a FPS.
Tilt forward to walk/run forward,
Tilt to the side to strafe,
Twist to turn,
and let natal extrapolate the aiming from you body position, and change guns either based on verbal commands or by the posture which you are mimicking. (IE, you don't hold a bazooka/BFG the same way that you would hold a handgun)
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