Jones is "very, very happy" with APB, says Natal needs "killer" app

KionicWarlord222 - 187 days 11 hours ago

Yes. more devs seeing the possibilities.

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Sonyslave3 - 187 days 10 hours ago

this guy created crackdown just imagine the games he be able to created using natal.

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Forrest Gump - 187 days 9 hours ago

And that's a wrap folks.

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DailyAddict - 187 days 9 hours ago

At E3, it was pretty apparent that both Sony and Microsoft were going after a different crowd with their controls. Sony is trying to focus more on its dedicated, hardcore game-based audience by boasting about the motion controllers' precision. While Microsoft is going after the Wii head on and even demoed Wii'like games.

When I saw it, I didn't expect core game support for Natal either. Plus, Microsoft sort of indirectly announced Natal isn't for core games either by stating that the in-game character you control is your Avatar. Do you expect to see your Avatar is games like Gears of War 3? No, I didn't think so. Expect more Wii'like games or advanced XBLA type deals (or 1 vs. 100, etc.) type of stuff for Natal.

However, I do think we'll see limited support for core games with Natal in regards to the voice commands and gesture swipes (just not full body control of stuff unless they axe out the avatar for them).

The biggest issue with both MS and Sony is going to be adoption rate, which will ultimately be determined by price. We're mid product cycle and unless Sony and MS can figure out a way to literally get over 50% of their current user base using these pieces of equipment, they both will fail. Developers aren't going to all of a sudden start massively supporting a product that the majority of their users don't have (i.e. why we don't see more 7.1 surround sound, TRUE 1080p games - not that upscaled crap we have now).

Seeing as how price for both Sony's and MS's motion devices have yet to be announced my guess is that it's going to be on the expensive side. Sony's is going to require that you have a Motion Eye and the controller. Motion Eye currently around $40 and I bet their controller hits for about $59.99 to even out at around $100. Microsoft isn't exactly known for 'affordable' accessories and unless they are willing to break their cycle I'm going to bet their system comes in between $99.99-$149.99.

Personally, unless these things launch at around $50 max neither will fare well because people just don't have that kind of cash to go out and buy these on a large enough scale to make them massively successful. And unless 50% of the user base has them, developers won't support the products on a large scale.

The reason Nintendo made comments about not really being worried about MS and Sony's motion offering has nothing to do with what technology they are using - it's simple math. Every Wii since its release is motion based and includes the controllers. Sony and Microsoft are introducing a new controller into the market 4 and 5 years AFTER the launch of their console. Statistically speaking, these types of additions have never done well (Sega CD and that Nintendo CD whatyamacallit anyone?). They just know both of these are more likely to just end up as yet another accessory on the shelf than they are to be hugely successful.

Microsoft is somewhat trying to proactively counter this by promoting Natal all ready (as seen on Falon's show, news, etc.). Still, if it comes out and is expensive (as expected) it won't matter much. These guys really just need to try to figure out how to get them in the hands of their users as cheap and easy as possible. Perhaps Xbox Live subscribers or Qore subscribers (makes up at least 50% for both Sony and MS's user base) should get a massive discount. That would be a great way to ensure the products success.

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ef-u-2 - 187 days 8 hours ago

to be honest I didnt like the wii or motion controls until I played it its fun not revolutionary but fun and I could see myself playing certain games without the controller in my hand, no I coulndnt see my self playing many of those games by myself but as a male I can tell you this females like those types of games because their easy to play and dont require complicated button commands so I'd buy it if only to entertain women

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