Microsoft: Project Natal to replace remote controls

Gamers have long feared news like this, but then again, what's there to fear? Will we trade in our controls for a motion sensing device? If left to Microsoft, that answer would be yes.

[callahan09]

I've never felt a desire to control my TV in any way other than a remote control. Pressing buttons is easy and fast.

[Shadow Flare]

It's amazing, this being n4g I knew someone would disagree with you. I take it the people that disagree hope a tv will be invented where you have to draw the channel number in the air with your finger. Or yell out the channel,

"SKY ONE..."
-please repeat channel request- "SKY...ONE...."
-you have selected channel 901 gay dating-
"NO....SKY....ONE"
-please repeat channel request-

I imagine thats what the disagreers want

[Bungie]

1 word...Innovation

[Enigma_2099]

Cause that's what they called it when Nintendo did it...

[Xeoset]

The difference is nobody cared for the WiiMote. EVERY studio that has touched Natal have pretty much said it's gamings second coming. No other console has anything that comes close.

I'll be happily waiting it out. It's only £30 anyway, cheaper than a new game and will definitely last longer and bring as much fun.

Haters everywhere :)

[reintype]

This one is dated Oct. 1, 2008.

Here's another article concerning this.
http://www.unplggd.com/unpl...

[Eamon]

Callahan09 and Shadow Flare.

You mean to tell me that if you had the means to change channels, vary the volume, play or pause without needing to press buttons, you would NOT go for it??

Forget whether Natal supports this or not!! You still wouldn't be glad to change the channels with a wave or your hand or simply stating the channel's name??

Of course, remote control can never be replaced since you need it for advanced options, but correct me if I'm wrong, I am detecting a "fanboy beacon" from both of you and it's making me suspect that if it was the other way round and Sony was releasing Natal, you'd be fully supporting them.

Or maybe I'm thinking too much /s

[Milky Joe]

You can just imagine it can't you: Your gran comes round, walks past the TV to sit down and it flicks to the porn channel.

I honestly do not see this catching on. They're going to struggle to match the controlability offered by an 18 button game controller, let alone a 40 something button TV remote.

[Perjoss]

@ Shadow Flare
you know, voice recognition has come a long way since the 80s

[Shotgun_Roamer]

frankly, whatever microsoft does is ther business, but they obviously have a disconnect from their consumers. However, if they can pull it off, more power to them

[Ju]

...and the Concord took flight into the supersonic age and all others followed. ... oh, wait, it didn't.

[-OmarJA-]

Damn! more depressing news from Micro$oft, thank god i'm not a 360 fanboy...

Seriously as if Micro$oft will get anything working properly.

[Shadow Flare]

Ok, i'll tell you why I think it would be crap. I recently bought eyepet. A ps3 exclusive that uses the pseye camera. I found that the more I used it, the less I was sitting cross legged and the more I was just lying down, which isn't how its meant to be played. Also some challenges required sound, which I couldn't do at night cos i'd be making too much noise. Voice recognition for tv would be a bit crap cos if you're just talking to someone, the channel may flip over, or it may be difficult to get your command through if the rooms too noisy. Motion sensing would also be crap cos everyone would have to be dead still. If anyone moved the volume may go up and blow out the windows. Imagine that, at night. No thanks

[silvacrest]

hold on, who said natal would cost £30?

a wireless N adapter cost near $100, the original only cost a little less, even with logic behind you, do you really think M$ would price natal so low?

[eagle21]

If anyone has paid attention to the massive flop called Tony Hawk's Ride (3.5/10 Gamespot) you have to think Project Natal. MS games are already overrated even when they score 8/10, Natal games will be worse. Mark my words. :)

[4Sh0w]

"With the flick of my wrist I can change a channel," Whitten said. "With the power of my voice I can start a movie."

I don't know what everybody is getting all worked up about. His statements seems only natural for some of our everyday tasks to eventually be done with the use of a simple gestures or a voice commands. Wow, you guys really hate microsoft, anywhere else people would be saying, "wow thats cool". It's no small coincidence that the only really negative outlook about Natal is 99% of the time a comment from someone with a pro sony comment history. This isn't a new idea, but I think its great microsoft are looking a new ways to bring this once "futuristic idea" into our everyday lives, I also can't wait to see how Natal will be incorporated into all kinds of games both with and without a controller. I just can't think why anyone would be so negative about the possibility of advancements that will take us in the direction of making the world around us more immersive. I'm not proposing everyone should jump on the Natal bandwagon, but to come to Natal posts over and over again with nothing to say except how you hope it doesn't work really, old short-sighted view. I probably wont care or remember all this negativity in 5 yrs when I'm playing something like ME4 or the next generation Star Trek game and I get to say "Computer chart a course to the Feringi Star system, warp 10" "Engage" but if I do, I'll probably just chuckle inside thinking about the days when so called gamers said it was a horrible idea, I mean didn't they see it coming with most cell phones having it as a feature currently, even cars are getting voice commands, and alot of weather shows have some basic gesture controls for weather maps.

[callahan09]

@4Sh0w, I don't hate Microsoft, in fact I support them and their endeavors, I just don't personally like the idea of using my voice and hands to control my TV. I'll stick to the remote control, that's all.

[sikbeta]

"1 word...Innovation"

YEAH......RIGHT!!!!...WHATEVE R.....NEXT PLEASE!!!!

Well M$, you can live in a Delusional world with fairies and all, but it doesn't change anything, I want a controller for gaming, I don't want to control a Character movement with my D**k

Seriously, maybe in theory is innovative, but in reality will be the more annoying thing ever, well if it can track all kind of movements like M$ said, because if not, the discussion is over without even start

Gimmicks are gimmicks, you can say wii-mote is innovative and all, but is more like a waggle thing you move in order to play a game, no more, no less

I'm not discussing if its more fun or not, it's fun or nobody will buy it

If I want to move my body for a reason, I'll go to play some football with friends, go dance like a jerk with friends, ride a bike, search for a reason to kick the neighbor @$$ and more, not because is necessary in a game

[dj55555555]

Yes buying technology really shows innovation

[EvilBlackCat]

Apple introduce a Laptop without a Keyboard and some morons call it innovation and praise them.

but somebody say "Project Natal to replace remote controls" and Microsoft is the devil

Project Natal to replace remote controls? Maybe but i highly doubt its going to completely replace it. Both can co exist.

@ callahan09

1.19 -
"I just don't personally like the idea of using my voice and hands to control my TV"

ARE YOU FnCKING STUPID?!?!?

[Ju]

Say, we forget that's been done before, but then, Ubi's Hawx comes to my mind.

Using a PS Eye yelling across the room "Shoot", but then, every time I miss a target (and this time with a bluetooth headset) I'd say "Shoot" (because I got kids, yah know). That's how far ahead some marketing/design people think...LOL.

For people who don't know, Hawx has voice control, and so does Endwar.

[Budg3tG4m3r]

Nice to see the conga line of haters as usual. Now I know that anyone with a right mind who isn't some jealous fanboy sees it like this.

100 buttons or 0 buttons

Damn need to dig around my couch and look under the lazyboy to find the remote VS stick my hand up and control the TV.

The PS3 wand and Wiimote is better than a remote so how can pointing at your screen be worse?

I'm going to go to the hobby shop and buy some T-shirs and put "Fanboys Are Stupid" on the front and "Go See For Yourself on N4G" on the back.

[Ju]

Call all critics haters, or w/e. But please recognize, that some of us (?) have tried those "praised" concepts already (in one or the other form). And reading through some comments it looks to me the experience was mostly the same. Its a nice gimmick to "try out" because it is new, but after a while it's just that. A gimmick. I would be very surprised, if now, that MS is doing what others did before, it'll suddenly work. All that feedback has gone into already existing products, but MS didn't get the memo, it seams. Well, maybe I'll have to eat my words next year, but I honestly doubt it.

[4Sh0w]

Obviously you and everybody else are allowed to have an opinion on Natal. I welcome any interesting insight from people who don't think it will work but mostly all I see is alot of empty reasoning and logic from the detractors; yet the media, gamers in general and developers seem to be inspired by it, why is it so polarizing with basicly ONLY ps3 supporters being most negative, thats exaclty why I say 99% of the negativity towards Natal isn't about the merits of the tech itself and what it can or cannot offer, NO its generated by this "fanboy war";

"I've never felt a desire to control my TV in any way other than a remote control. Pressing buttons is easy and fast."

OK, so you you never felt a desire to control YOUR TV in any way other than a remote control, thats fine, to each his own but reading comment your reasoning sounds very hollow or petty. In other words when you say "Pressing buttons is easy and fast", that seems to suggest that this alternative(voice & motion control) will be somehow hard(er) and slow(er). I say whats HARDER about saying "TV ON" vs picking up a remote and pressing the power button? I say whats SLOWER about saying "CHANNEL SELECT" and then either flicking your finger left or right to change the channel, or simply saying "CHANNEL 5" to turn the channel instantly to 5 vs picking up the remote and pushing buttons? Lets not even mention the fact that in millions of households like mine where often you have to first find the damm remote(kids is my excuse).

Lets look at it this way;

"I've never felt a desire to watch TV in any way other than a in black and white." (who even owns a black & white tv anymore)

"I've never felt a desire to play a videogame in any way other than a with one button on the controller." (look at todays controllers)

"I've never felt a desire to connect to the internet in any way other than with a desktop computer." (many of my n4g comments are made with my cell phone)

"I've never felt a desire to start my car in any way other than a with car keys." (many new cars, especially expensive ones have voice commands)

Now unlike gaming most new tech introduced by a rival companies aren't subjected to the "fanboy war" but I'm sure much like now these tech advancements were not neccessarily thought of as needed however once the tech works well(new tech always goes through a beta type process) and public realizes the potential of these enhancements ANYTHING that is user friendly and offers MORE convenience than before without a heavy price tag WILL BECOME STANDARD and I doubt after millions of people turned on their TV's everyday with a simple voice command, you'll here them whisper "I wish I could find my damm remote control." The closes logic I found against the merits of Natal have nothing to do with personal desire, its that Natal isn't accurate enough, which is understandable and is also a concern of those who want to see Natal (& motion devices/voice) do well and this is easily contradicted because new tech always evolves after experimentation to get it working relatively well for its intended purpose.

Gaming has similarities, both standard controls and motion will work well together imo, but thats a different story for another time.

Finally I have a honest question for you, Do you think had sony introduced a well recieved version of Natal and microsoft introduced another wii-like controller, that on this site pro microsoft supporters would be hating Natal, while pro ps3 supporters would be praising it? This site is like Republicans and Democrats with very few Independents and I won't label which side is which but there's a clear majority, its entertaining while also being somewhat disgusting.

[CimmerianDrake]

Once Natal turns out to be another lame accessory along the myriad accessories that inflict gaming. It will join the likes of the Powerpad, the Speedboard, the Powerglove, the U-Force, the Rock 'n Roller, the EyeToy, the Tony Hawk Ride, etc. etc.. etc...

Natal is suffering from the hype monster. Generated by Microsoft, fueled by the the 360 fanboys who don't really know what they are talking about and just jumping on the bandwagon of paid professional hype machines, and it will flop. It will flop like all other gimmicks flop. The Wiimote is only successful because it's essential to play 99% of the Wii's games. Natal won't be, nor will Sony's motion wand, hence they will be dust collectors.

Have fun convulsing like morons, for the short time it will last.

[callahan09]

@4Sh0w, I appreciate your commentary and all, but this is how I see it: When I'm "channel surfing," I hover my finger over the "down" button on my remote control and press that button a good 100 to 200 times in a span of about 30 seconds, very quickly perusing every channel's description to see what they're playing and if it might be what I want to watch. Which is easier, hovering your thumb over a button and easily tapping it a couple of hundred times, or holding my hand out in the space in front of my set and motioning down a couple of hundred times? Or saying "channel down" (or whatever) a couple of hundred times? I have my channel surfing habits and the way I do things, it's just much easier, faster, and probably more accurate to tap that button than it is to make motions or speak to my TV.

[cmrbe]

Thousands of years of human tech dev and MS wants to go back to the stone age when people use gestures and voice patterns to communicate.

Since the dawn of time Humans have tried to simplify complex/hard labour work with less effort involved.

Why swing your hand or jump around like an idiot when you can just simply push a button to do that?. lol.

[4Sh0w]

I don't mean to sound like an ass, but either your purposely downplaying the tech or you're just not thinking creatively at all.

"Or saying "channel down" (or whatever) a couple of hundred times?"

lol, do you really believe anykind of user interface would require you to say down "a couple of hundred times"? lol, how about I say down and it continously scrolls down the channels until I say "Stop"?

I'm sitting on the couch, I give the command "CHANGE CHANNEL" it changes the channel up or down depending on my preference, and like with all modern inventions there are so many variables that can be tweaked to make the experience customizable, I could have it set to scroll quickly through all the channels(surfing) very quickly until I select one or pause for 2 seconds between each channel, I announce a voice command, then make a gesture control, then raise my finger so its recognized and track by the software, then I relax with my hands comfortably at my side, the flick of my finger left or right changes the channel, good this is the channel I want to watch, "TV CHANNEL 5" its that simple, me telling you about it takes 45 seconds, but physically doing it takes no longer than a regular remote and also doesn't require manual labor. lol, Come on callahan09, lets just say you don't like Natal or motion controls general because I don't know why but maybe you're a purist or whatever that loves holding on to a piece of plastic and leave it at that.

[wxer]

lol

MS thinks that natal is everything
the next thing they'll say is
that natal well replace the xbox controllers
mark my words

[The 1]

The XBL dash will use Natal with the Natal update, why not control video content as well? LOL@ the angry PS3 fans in here. Why do you even give your input? it's worthless.
http://www.wikinomics.com/b...
Continue to comfort yourselves in here no one cares lol

[callahan09]

Maybe you're right, maybe I'm not thinking creatively enough. Your suggestion "how about I say down and it continously scrolls down the channels until I say "Stop"?" is much better than what I was imaging, so you're right I'm not thinking about it creatively. However, I do know that I'm happy with what I've got. I guess I'll give this Natal thing a chance, but I think of it like this: if it ain't broke, don't fix it. I just have a hard time believing that it will be easier, faster, and more accurate to make gestures and use my voice than it is to press a button with a designated command assigned to it. Buttons don't miscommunicate. But again, you're right that I don't have a creative imagination for what kind of things you can do with gesture & voice control, so when it comes out I'll see what it offers and if I'm proven wrong, then that's only a good thing, because it means that something better HAS come along, and I'm always in favor of better.

[4Sh0w]

"so when it comes out I'll see what it offers and if I'm proven wrong, then that's only a good thing, because it means that something better HAS come along, and I'm always in favor of better."

While Iam excited about Natal, its still has alot to prove, especially for gaming, I'm confident it will be at least a small enhancement to any game in the short-term future but a wait and see attitude is very practical under the circumstances. I appreciate your mature response throughout this conversation.

[nnotdead]

im pretty sure developers where just as, if not more, hyped about the Wiimote. the thing that held it back was the crappy hardware of the Wii itself.

Wiimote, Natal, Sony motion controls are all the same thing to me. until they can make games i like to play, and the motion controls truly add something to the gameplay, i dont care to use anything but a controller or kb/m

[Sarcasm]

You know, I could see Natal becoming more of a success if they implement it WITH a controller. As in, you don't always need it unless it's for certain segments.

Let's take the SIXAXIS for example, it's basically a gimmick and failure at this point as nobody really uses it. HOWEVER, that's not to say it hasn't been pretty fun to play with on certain titles. One noteworthy example that it's not shoved down anybody's throat is Ratchet & Clank future. The puzzle parts of the game that requires you to use the SIXAXIS to balance the ball was actually a nice refreshing few moments.

Now if they take that idea for NATAL games on something like a shooter, let the player use a traditional controller to play the game but have sections of the game requiring Natal. Perhaps browsing through a menu or sections having to have facial recognition etc.

But if they do this whole "YOU are the controller" then it will be nothing more than a huge gimmick. Mark my words.

[HolyOrangeCows]

"Let's take the SIXAXIS for example, it's basically a gimmick and failure at this point as nobody really uses it"

I use SIX-AXIS for Ratchet and Clank Future: Tools of destruction and A crack in Time, every racing and flying game that gives me the opportunity, The glave and Batarang in Dark Sector and Batman:AA, flower, Warhawk....

It allows you to control third things (Like with R&C) that you couldn't do otherwise, Gives players another control option for racing and flight games, and more. Gimmick failure my backside.

[Ju]

... FarCry 2 (steering the Jeep), Hawx (I just can't fly that plane with the stick), just to add a few. So, I am not against motion controls. I like them where they make sense. But not a "wave-for-all" solution.

[The 1]

The foundation is already in place all the world has to do is take the next step. Touch screen computers, phones, MP3/4 players, are using touch, so motion will be a natural and familiar concept when things go touch free. PS3 fans can't handle MSFT pioneering full body motion the response in here proves this. http://cache.gizmodo.com/as...

All this damage control is comical

[raztad]

A regular TV setup is quite simple TV+control. If I understand correctly NAtal needs a 360 right? thats why The 1 above is hyping it.

Moving on, a supposedly Natal controlled system should have as minimum TV + x360 + camera. That excludes a huge segment of non 360 owners (so it cant replace the remote control for them) but additionally, those 360 owners wanting to use this so called "innovative" remote control would need to have their xbox360 turned on while they are watching TV. I can forecast an exponential increase in RRODs.

Perhaps this is the stroke of a genius, and MS is expecting its diehards to get at least 3 xboxes. One for gaming, one as a remote control and the last one as a backup just in case.

[Sarcasm]

"It allows you to control third things (Like with R&C) that you couldn't do otherwise"

Wow... did you really just cherry pick my post? I gave R&C as a perfect example of how it WORKS.

But come on, when I say it's a gimmick or failure I'm talking about the grand scheme of things. You don't see people saying "Wow I really want a PS3 for the SIXAXIS"

The same will hold true for Natal. It will become an afterthought if they don't implement it right.

[MmaFanQc]

retardedwaytoplayalltypesofgam eswhileyoucanuseacontrollerandn atalisnotoriginalsinceitwasdone beforewithathingcalledeyetoy

[ViciousBoston]

ok people keep throwing out dollar amounts on how much this is going to be. I think you're all talking out your ass. Microsoft is selling wifi for 80-100 dollars. What makes you think this is going to be only 30 pounds? There is no way. I see Microsoft throwing this up for 120-150 US Dollars.If you have proof of the price, post up a link. I don't want blogs or rumors. I want hardcore proof right from Microsofts mouth.

[Megaton]

I love this. Any other time in gaming history this kind of thing was laughed off as a gimmick. Now that Microsoft is taking their crack at it, it's "innovative" and "revolutionary". The industry has been there and done that with failed results, but some people right now are just choosing to have selective memories about it due to their lapdog loyalty to the company behind it, or because they got scooped up in the massive PR train Microsoft is cramming into the populous.

Bottom line is; if you think I'm gonna choose waving my hands in the air or shouting at my TV in favor of clicking a couple buttons, you're outta your mind. Same goes for gaming. I'm not gonna give myself a heart attack jumping around the room like an ape in an attempt to pull off ultra combos in KI3 when I can just press a series of buttons instead.

[The 1]

No it's not being laughed at because it's Microsoft's tech, it's because the industry and gamers now know the motion market is appealing to the masses.

Ironically your hypocritical logic and reasoning sort of does exactly what you say, that is suppose to discredit the tech and MSFT(not giving it a change because you hate the company or think it's stupid). lol

"The industry has been there and done that"

Yes the industry has has HD gaming with fullbody 48 joint tracking, voice recognition, gesture tech, 3D tracking, infrared low light tracking, track multiple gamers in full body motion at the same time, motion dashboard on consoles. SURE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !

[Budg3tG4m3r]

"I'm not gonna give myself a heart attack jumping around the room like an ape in an attempt to pull off ultra combos in KI3 when I can just press a series of buttons instead"

What are you fat? Little exercise keeps you from having a heart attack.

[IaMs12]

You know what if they can pull it off, then im all for it.

[Shepherd 214]

i like all the innovation with these new motion control things, but to me you cant beat a good controller. if microsoft goes full motion control, im jumping ship for something else.

[Shadow Flare]

Thats just ridiculous. Someone explain to me how an FPS will be played through natal with no controllers. How will you make your character walk? Making a gun shape with your hand and saying 'bang' isn't going to be accurate enough for one thing, controllers will always be more accurate. And also, I play games lying on the floor. I don't want to look like an epileptic octopus when im gaming

[Erotic Sheep]

XD so true

+bubbles

[Xeoset]

Hold any item you want and scan it in? Natal has been said it can use the size of the item scanned and make the in-game product match its scale.

With that, just pull an imaginary trigger? Natal follows your movements down to the very end of each digit.

Simulate actual movement? They did it with burnout and it was reported to work amazingly. Just tilt your head forward a little bit and stop to make it know you want to run.

It's not hard to come up with this stuff. Sorry if YOU lack an imagination.

[Eamon]

To be honest for FPS games, I DO NOT want controller replaced by motion sensing, but I would like for it to be added in the gameplay. Using both Natal and the controller at the same time, I mean.

For example, you could command a squad of soldiers and assign instructions using hand gestures. That would be quite interesting.

Or a game like Fallout 3, where in the conversation/RPG moments you could talk to the NPC yourself (similar to Milo). Obviously not a direct conversation, but you could answer NPC's questions.

Meh, above is just some of my ideas that I'd like Natal to implement in games, but I DO NOT WANT NATAL to make the xbox 360 into a Wii.

Edit: Whatever my comment is, I keep getting at least one disagree LOL. I think some idiot on this site is stalking my comments only to disagree with them. Here's proof: http://www.n4g.com/Redirect...
ROFL

[Anon1974]

I saw that horrible driving demo using Natal on Burnout. Grab a pretend steering wheel? Move your head forward or back to speed up and slow down? Yeah, that doesn't really scream "immersion" to me. It screams "annoying". And did you see how much difficulty people were having controlling their cars like that? It looked unplayable.

And Natal can scan any object that I'm holding, and then sense what I'm doing with my fingers? Wow! That's amazing. You know what that sounds like? That sounds almost like A CONTROLLER!

[Shadow Flare]

"Tilt your head forward to go forward and tilt back to go back"

That is one of the most retarded ways of playing a game i've heard of. Would YOU even play a game like that?? Seriously, I would get sick of that within 2 minutes. And I know for a fact I could game better with a controller then without one. Think before you type. Or is that how you want to play games in the future?

[Xeoset]

Are you retarded?
Do you not have control of your body?
Are you physically disabled?

How hard is it to simply nod you head and inch, then raise it again? =/

And to ALL of you in comment 1. Natal is launching for $50, this has already been confirmed. Take it all you Sony fans have selective hearing? *Sigh*

[Parapraxis]

"The information games website MCV has gathered details plans to launch Natal in November 2010. Surprisingly the price will be set between £30-£50 (US$50-$80) for the device and an unspecified price bundled with a console. Microsoft is also planning to have 14 games available in the launch window."

50$ confirmed? Funny, I thought it was either 50$ or 80$. 80$ or more seems much more likely. Do you have new info to add?

[Erotic Sheep]

Pretty much owned Xeoset there with his disability of reading >_>

On topic: No I don't think moving your head back and forth to drive is considered a joy to play. Imagine playing with a friend and both of you looking like a bunch of tards moving your body left to right.

You can't just abandon the controller. Moving your body will NOT replace buttons, and if they will make full movement games, the things you could do in a game will be very limited in comparison with controller games. Or are you saying pulling off combos in a game like Tekken will be easier WITHOUT buttons? -.-

[sikbeta]

"Tilt your head forward to go forward and tilt back to go back"

·shake your @$$ to move to the corners
·blink when you want to RELOAD
.sneeze when you want to GRAB an ITEM
·show your neepl*s to PRESS start

[Shadow Flare]

Btw, you talked about scanning stuff in so you can use it for a steering wheel for example....um, you do realise ps3 controls have motion sensing so we can already tilt them to steer? Here's another thing, nobody uses the tilt steering to drive when they're seriously gaming. Why? Cos its CRAP. No, its not hard to tilt your head, but it will be crap. I guarentee you'll go back to normal controls within 10 minutes. I mean, imagine playing assassin's creed and tilting your head to move. When you're running away from the guards, you will look like an absolute spastic tilting your head around like an epileptic. Its not innovation, its frustating. And im not disabled, im just realistic

[ViciousBoston]

lets not forget the space constraint for Natal. You will be not just moving your ARMS, you will be jumping and moving around. Who has space in their living room to kick and punch and dodge and dance ect ect ect? I don't I live in an apartment with no living room.

Stuff like this will never replace the conventional controller. Its a great gimick it really is but like Furby and Digimon it will fade away with the passing days.

[MetalGearRising]

Microsoft are the innovators they are at the Forefront of innovation soon everyone will be able to enjoy the future. The possibilities are endless with project natal its no rip off wii wand this is something completely alien tech which will change the foundations of gaming for everyone. This is the future happening right now in front of your eye's.

[Shadow Flare]

You must have been that tool who disagreed with #1 in the open zone and hates using tv remotes. See a doctor mate, your head's stuck up someone's arse

[Mista T]

this will kill gaming you moron

[Saaking]

Buy a Ps3 and play b3yond.

[TheTruth2009]

You see, the pro-Sony news on this website always comes from blogs, little known websites, and pro-Sony sites.

Notice that the XBOX360 news comes from more reliable sites, respected sites, and legitimate medium.

Why?

Because only myopic Sony Fans believe that the gaming world is clamoring to see Sony back on top.

NO. ONE. CARES.

So here's a test for you, Sony Fans.

Every time a pro-Sony article comes through on this site, look at the source. Kind of like looking at the back of a greeting card to see if "Hallmark" is on the back. It shows a sense of legitimacy.

You're creating your own positive press. Pretty sad really.

Microsoft creates REAL news. From REAL sites. Natal is coming. Get ready.

Just watch your bogus sites from now on. I know I will. I'll help. :-)

[CryWolf]

Project Natal is never going to be future anyone that buys this trash is not thinking about future, Sony's eyetoy is a more better invention hell even the Nintendo Wii with its Nunchuk controller is alot better invention then Natal is, if your ready to play beyond get a PS3 you want to have alot of motion controller games go with a Nintendo Wii.

[cmrbe]

cavemen used hand gestures way back in the stone age.

[wxer]

putting alien tech and xbox360 or MS at the same sentence is just a massive fail

[keysy420]

seriously what are you talking about? you really want to play games with out a controller. unless i can use my thoughts i need a controller natal is going to fail horribly. not that it wont sell but the fad will die faster than the wii fad

[xg-ei8ht]

This is going to fail and fail hard.

But shadow flare, your comment had me in stitches. But now i'm going ot have to sue you. Sorry:)):):)):)):

[Dutch Boogie]

It's confirmed. M$ is going the Wii route in 2010. Better get ready to become casual gamers.

[The Meerkat]

It won't stop Hardcore games being developed for it.
But it may end up selling like the Wii.

Why could that ever be considered a bad thing?

[CrazyOrange]

not buying yahoo was a good decision after all...
yahoo is worthless ATM

[MetalGearRising]

That's right i disagreed now stop bieng a part of a problem and embrace the futre which is Natal.

[Alan Wake]

Natal >> PS3 Dildo motion controller

2010 the end of Crapstation 2.5

[Mista T]

neither is good, they'll only bring more shovelware and over saturate the market like what happened to Atari in the 80s, and it nearly killed gaming if it weren't for the NES

but this doesn't matter, as you have your head stuck up your arse you cheerleader

[Saaking]

Natal is full of lag and seriously limited in what games you can play with it. The PS motion controls (Idk why the hell you always thinking about dildos) is flawless 1:1 and most importantly has BUTTONS which allows it to be used in a wider variety of games.

[Mista T]

my ass, I will quit gaming altogether if there won't be controllers used and just motion, or I'll just buy a high end PC and do gaming there

[sikbeta]

I don't know why the disagrees, but if every company goes the wii route, I'm with you, I don't gonna shake my whole body like an idiot to play a game

And is not because I'm teh Hardcore Gamerz, it just not for me

Thank GOD, SONY is making that "Motion-Crappy-Without-An alogue-Stick" thing as an option and don't think is gonna replace the DualShock

I'm more conservative, for me:

Keyboard/Controller >>> Motion Controller >>>> Nothing

[Mista T]

If Sony keeps using controllers I will stick with them, or any other platform that keeps using a form of controller for that matter

[Alan Wake]

wo0o0o0ow !!

[Bungie]

natal is da future

fact

[Shadow Flare]

Oh I absolutely love how 2 years ago, 360 fanboys were saying how rubbish motion controls are and how its a fad, but now microsoft it doing it, they convince themselves that now, its "teh future of gaming". You will just do whatever microsoft tells you, like whatever microsoft tells you to like, and pay for whatever microsoft tells you to pay for.

I've got one word for you: Tool

[Gen0ne]

We've been using controllers for what, 30 years. The complete abandonment of them will take some time and may in fact inadvertently transmogrify into something much cooler than we have already. It's all good in the end, if the industry falls flat on its' face because of the switch, then they'll bring back what works. Me, I think the two ( hands free/controllers ) are gonna meet somewhere in the middle. Something cool will come outa all this sh!t. Eventually.

[Mista T]

agreed, nice comment

[Sarcasm]

"It's amazing MS executives couldn't understand that."

And it's still hilarious seeing the media go balls to the walls over it.

[The Iron Sheik]

If Natal is the future then pass me my NES Advantage and lets play some freaking Rad Racer.

This kiddie casual motion control crap (yes that's all it is) is a fad. Real gamers are always going to play real games with a controller. You kids have fun waving your arms around like an epileptic. The rest of us will be relaxing playing games and taking the occasional break to point and laugh at you.

[ReBurn]

Meh, it's all speculation. As evidenced by the word "could" in the very first sentence of the gamesindustry.biz article. However, I fully expect that in the ensuing flamewar less than 1% of participants will actually read the article and nearly all comments will be based on the headline.

[Sez]

More like most of the comment will be base off of pure hate for MS. Remember if this was something Sony did. It would be " Sony teh greatest".

[mastiffchild]

Seeing as this isn't about a gaming control at all you seem to be pretty right. Still, I doubt you can styreamline it a great seal better, on TC, than we currently manage with a normal remote as voice controls will be a pain with everyone talking and flicking your wrist? How will that ever be as accurate as pressing a numbered button? I thought it when I saw Eyedentify and I think the same thing now kit's Natal pretending it's a great idea. These things may well work for certain gaming instances BUT not even all of them and I just fail to see an advantage over a classic TV remote at this stahe at all.

I know people want to kill or over praie Natal before ever using it themselves but can't we just wait til we see something working, for ourselves, that actually does work and appeals more than what we alrady have? After that we can either say yes or no but as of now we haven't got a clue about it or Sony's wands if we're honest and both will need an analogue stick solution like Wii's nunchuck anyway. Lots to find out and lots left to prove gefore we can either damn or congratulate anyone here.

[Sez]

looking at your previous comments on this thread and your comment history. you prove my point. about judging natal based off your hatred for MS."Timing couldn't have been worse for MS. It's like this company is run by retards and monkeys." have you played any of the games being made for natal. we all know natal isn't going to replace controllers. nor is MS saying that when natal is released you will never need a controller. but because you see no need for it or have no interest in it. you automatically condemn it. i rather wait and see what dev's will do with it before i pass judgement.

and calling someone else a fanboy. when you are one yourself makes you a hypocrite.

[kenpachi]

natal will flop and badly its just a ps eye with a wii sensor bar at a idiotic price

[Alan Wake]

plZ go change pampers for monkey asspet

[kraze07]

I highly doubt controllers are going anywhere and if they did I'd just stick to PC gaming.

[rawd]

I work all day, and come home and play with my kid. The last thing I wanna do after he goes to bed is jump around like a monkey infront of the TV. Sorry

[devilhunterx]

For the love of humanity, xboys should be prevented from breeding.

[Bots-in-Denial]

MICORSHAFT: "ALL CASUAL GAMERS,WE INVITE YOU tO ENJOY ENDLESS LIMB WAVING SHOVELWARE VIDEO GAMES"

SONY COMPUTER ENTERTAINMENT: "WE INVITE ALL HADCORE GAMERS TO ENJOY CONSTANT AAA QUALITY GAMES LIKE NEVER BEFORE,SO JUMP OUT OF LAG-TAL AND PLAY B3YOND WITH THE BEAST"

[Parapraxis]

Just like DD will replace physical media right MS?

Physical media is a "thing of the past" as well according to MS, yet ironically they are still using DVD9 for their console. And in the meantime, PSN is the only service on consoles which allows users to actually buy BOTH games and videos.

DD works great for compressed or small files, however It will be a very very long time before the infrastructure is there that will allow anybody to quickly download videos/games with the capacity and quality of a Blu-ray disc (let alone with the space it would require) less than 10 games would fill up an entire 250GB HDD.

Motionless controls are the same, the tech is getting better, however to encompass the full range of controls needed to control todays games is not within the realm of even Natal.
Would any gamer really want to play a game like Burnout without any brakes? Even a game which is more simple than many, such as Burnout has too many nuances to be replicated by motion controls.
No brakes, I mean c'mon, that is one of the basic and most important aspects to a driving game. Accelerate, brake and steer, those are the 3 key components and they couldn't get that right. (The company that made Natal has been developing it for a very long time, so this clearly shows its limitations)

As for gesturing and/or using voice to control a TV, to me it's absurd and absolutely unnecessary. Why would people want to take a simple concept which works perfectly well and make it more complicated with a gesture based control scheme?

Mouse gesturing on PC has been around for several years now, yet you rarely see ANYBODY who uses it. I only know of 1 person who ever fiddled with it, and clearly it has not caught on. Why? because while it's a neat idea, it's not sensible. When a right-click can do what a physical motion does, people will choose to right-click.

Sitting in front of my tv channel surfing by voice is not appealing in any way when the press of one button can do the same.

Natal would work well in a few scenarios. Such as boardroom powerpoint presentations, using it on news programs (which is still quite sad and frequently fails to work, i'm sure you've all seen it on CNN. A guy waving his hands around to show the weather rather than a simple CLICKER which scrolls everything automatically), and leafing through a virtual book or similar (just for the ergonomic feel, not functionality at all).

Controllers and remotes will be here for a very very long time, just like physical media. Just because MS says that they are going to change the way people do things doesn't mean they will, or have (themselves).

[Ju]

BTW, CNN, they use a touch, not motion controls. Guess why, huh ?

[Parapraxis]

Yeah, I know they use a touch screen, but it's the closest thing, and sadly, should work better.

[Ju]

Touch is out since forever, though. And where it's used it simply works. But it's fundamentally different than motion controls and way closer to a mouse in comparison (and that said, just underlines, why those displays don't use motion controls, but a touch).

[GiantEnemyCrab]

This sh*t doesn't happen overnight.. I guess I can say the same thing about Sony and Blu-ray replacing DVD. Not happening, still seeing people buy DVD and many titles still sell more on DVD than BR.

Guess that Blu-ray was a failure afterall and Sony are full of sh*t. /sarc

[Ju]

Are you referring touch vs. motion control ? Motion control will never replace touch. Touch is used everywhere, from video terminals, bank machines, kiosks, even slot machines, and in the said case in TV. Motion control will not replace any single use case of that list above. Its just a different thing.

[MaximusPrime]

I once said on n4g that ms own comedy central.

This is funny news but really depressing if this is going to happen.

I prefer holding a remote control.

[JonnyBigBoss]

So much for Halo, Gears of War and the other hardcore titles then.

[nutbear96]

Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't Natal just Microsoft taking Eyetoy and dumping it on the 360 witha few (minor) updates? And its also something like 8 year after Eyetoy was released aswell! And it is FFFFAAAARRRR to over hyped! And Devs might use this in their games and the worrying thing is that Epic want to do this so Epic will be officialy screwed as soon as they release it! Some pople stried it with Eyetoy but it just didn't work! Imangine Gears 3 how are you going to reload? Some reload actions look like throwing a grenade! It would be impossible! The Motion Controller would work but it be a 99% copy of the Wii but I'll still buy it with RE5 Alternative Edition (I hope they are bundled!).

[Joni-Ice]

Still need a controller. IMO it will always be the best way to play.

[Bigpappy]

N4G PS3 fanboys in every thing Natal. It is not for you guys. What you so scared of? I own a 360. The only console I have. I am looking forward to Natal to experience this new tech. whether or not I use a remote or controller again will depend on how well natal is implemented. You guy will have your wang. I don't see 360 owners complaining about the wang replacing the DS3 or killing hardcore gaming. I am guessing that there are some hardcore games on PS3, No?! Stop hating on something that you know next to nothing about, you bunch of mindless sheep.

[Sez]

i think the sonyfanbase is scared of MS might be able to do with it. this isn't sony's eyetoy or wand. MS has talented dev's looking to create games for natal.(rare,lionhead,konami,ub isoft,ect) even if MS some how find away to make natal work or has some really good games for it. sonyfanboys will still find away to knock it. instead of giving credit to MS. their insecurity level is on high.

[Ju]

I hope those wigle controllers won't replace traditional controls.

Say MS will be successful. What will it mean for the industry ? Do we all have to switch now or what ? I hope not. I can live with Nintendo because Wii games simply are targeting another audience. But with Natal and Wii-mote suggesting the majority wants motion controls just threaders the "old school" gamers. I don't care, and maybe I'm just paranoid. Could as well make the PS3 the hard core console of choice in the long run.

But, MS is simply over hyping Natal as the second coming, possibly with a total worthless impact on gaming as we know it. Thx MS. (again).

[xtreampro_REVENGE]

Natal with it's 2001 technology is going be completely destroyed by Sony's Motion controllers, just look at the level of accuracy it offers http://i29.tinypic.com/5x7s...

With 3 Axes Gyroscopes, 3 Axes accelerometers and a Sphere being perfectly tracked by the PSEye with sub-pixel precision hardcore gamers could pull off fast paced movements like this http://img.photobucket.com/... sitting or standing with the virtual character on-screen with NO LAG!

The speed of these controllers will make Lagtal look outdated.

[Staude]

SO... Remotely controlling the games / tv with your hands is not the same as remotely controlling. Who knew :p

[CryWolf]

These people that say stuff like this is living in a dream world cause Project Natal is just a waste of money.

[monkey nuts]

This was a good idea back in the eighties, well done for catching up there peeps.

[artsaber]

I don't think anyone is downplaying this tech. The fact is, it is not brand new, it just isn't mainstream. I have a 2006 Honda Hybrid Civic. It has a Nav system and voice command control. I can press the speak button to control the A/C, Radio Station, etc., all kinds of VC features. Guess how I change the radio station... with a preset button. Guess how I change the A/C temp, by hitting the on button and turning the temp control left or right to dial the desired temp. It is faster, and to be honest, a bit easier.

Voice recognition is great and all, but it still has the issue of background noise, accent variations, and words that sound very similar, etc. By the time you repeat the voice command the third time, you could've just pressed the one touch knob. So in my opinion, the voice recog is more of a cool feature than it is a useful one.

What happens when you're in your home, and your wife is on the phone, or the kids are running around the house keeping up noise, the dog is barking really loud? Real life takes place, there is no vacuum for voice recognition to change the TV channel; even with directional mics, noise finds a way to interfere.

Also, I can see the confusion waggling your way through a TV menu that requires an instructional manual the size of the yellow pages. The remote is simply easier to use. Hell people didn't even want to get used to Lair's motion control, what makes you think everyone will throw down their TV remote or game controller? Natal will not eradicate the console controller. Natal will be a cool alternative, there is nothing wrong with that. But, 360 gamers are FPS junkies, I cannot imagine MW3 with Natal... will you start getting pwned online because your arms got tired and your opponent is using a controller?

Edit: And I am a big supporter of new tech. I will give Microsoft credit for trying to bring something new to the table. Hell, why not. I personally don't see the harm, if someone discovers they don't like it, then don't buy it. I suggest trying it out @ a kiosk or something first. Some may love it, others may not... I hope they make the tech well, but remember that too much research and quality parts almost ALWAYS means more cost. If Natal works like a dream, its price could make it a dream for some to own. Pricing and bundling will be important for Natal adoption, I think.

[Kakihara]

I'm sure Natal will be good and all but as an old set in my ways gamer I'm dreading the day all gaming moves to motion control and voice recognition even more than I'm dreading the day all gaming moves to digital downloads and streaming. I'm sticking with my disks and my pad, maybe it makes me unhip but I'm already using words like 'unhip' so I don't exactly have my finger on the pulse of modernity as it is.

[wingman32x]

"With the flick of my wrist I can change a channel," Whitten said. "With the power of my voice I can start a movie."

Are people THAT lazy nowadays. Lol this is pathetic. Who would want to do this? This is what I was afraid of when Natal was announced.

[maverick40]

how will the elitist casuals react to this?The xbox fanboys were putting down wii for innovation and when ms come out with a glorified camera its all good.Make up your mind.

[maverick40]

oh and metalgear rising!change your pic,the hack and slash metal gear is going to be crap. Give me mgs4 any day.Nah give me the last guardian.

[hikayu17]

I saw the e3 trailer and demo , i'm not convinced in anyway shape or form . Even if it does turn out to be a success , the day when I give up my good old cotroller is when I can control the tv wtb my mind . Otherwise , I much prefer the old traditional way of controlling my tv . Waving my hands around or yelling at the tv seems to me more like a backward than innovation . Though I could see good implementation . The wii was a success for nintendo , but it was a piece of crap IMO . Ever try fps on it? It hurts my hands and I still don't see the advantage it has over regular controller . When you immerse into a game , the controlle disappear . It's just u and the game . Immitation the action doesn't add immersion , it takes u out of it . Many tried , many failed if not all . U won't be lucky , Microsoft .

[Douchefella1]

The game industry is already dead.

I wish I could go back in time and experience all those awesome 8-bit and 16-bit games AGAIN, BECAUSE IT TRULY WAS AWESOME.

Today... yeah it still fun to play games... but the 8-bit and 16-bit era was special.

[insomnium]

but the reason is that I was a child back then. I love the current gen games but the nes 8 bit will always have a spot in my heart because I experienced it's games through the eyes of a child.

[Immortal321]

who here actually like this idea?, why is it so big in gaming?

[bjornbear]

many companies (including Sony) have been doing this...

no one will need natal for this because tv's are going to have this implemented in them naturally

http://www.tnerd.com/2009/0...

Its innovative, but people need to stop acting like this is ground breaking because its been in the making by many companies for years now =) not just MS

[awesomeperson]

Lols if this I can imagine natal being like the voice control vista had. I say something and it seems to look up porn for me. Well maybe it wasn't a bad thing ;)

[deshon09]

100 bucks for my remote lol

[Mikeyy]

I just don't know about this. Whats wrong with traditional controllers? I never even play my Wii anymore, shaking my wrists around gets boring and isnt natural when sitting on the couch.

Besides I thought the general consensus was that Motion Control was a gimmick. I recall perticular X360 owners calling Sony and Nintendo out on it, Rightfully so, but know your going to tell us that its OKAY that Microsoft is doing it? CMON guys. Really?

[Shendow]

Keep in mind that said the same thing about HDMI an install, now look at the 360, it does both and soon another thing they said wasn't a great idea.

P.S. They don't want hardcore gamers, they just want your money and everyone else's.

[insomnium]

This attempt with Natal is nothing more than a try to buy their way into victory as usual. MS was never interested in motion tech until it saw what the big N did with the Wii.

[VirusOz]

Gamers like controllers, we don't want to come home and start jumping around everywhere just to play a game. Its called a controller. Using a TV remote is the same concept, i don't want to flick my wrist. Whats the point? Controllers make a game, hands down. If you want a "Project Natal" go outside and flap your arms all you want. But if you want to sink into a couch and blow some heads off stick with a controller.

[Shendow]

I can't wait to see how Microsoft screws this one up, I bet its going to be over price like all their other stuff and be one the level of the PS2's EyeToy or maybe PS3's PSEye.

No matter what, I how it works for some of the things I would play, but I just don't see it working with any Halo or Gears game with out a real controller in your hands.

Because in the end, you need a controller to do somethings, can't go back to the 360's menu without a controller (Wouldn't work if it was by voice, because if someone said menu, while playing a game....)

[Noob]

It will always be faster to press a button. This tech will be nice but it's not enough to replace remote controls or controllers.

[DexterPsycho]

FOr example ive been out with the lads come home have a quick game of cod or gears and i dont want to be standing up pretending to shoot, id like to lie down and have a nice relaxing game, thats how it has always been, and well hopefully they will see that most people dont want to be standing up or pretending to hold something. when we dont have to fork out i dont know £100+ for this natal thing,

[L-a-i-n]

When gaming goes to this I will quit gaming... I use gaming for relaxing not exercise I get enough of that crap at work. I will stick with my old trusty controler!

[Bullseye]

to the original atari joystick!! Who needs more than one digital stick anyway? And one button is more than enough! These new joypads -so MANY buttons and analogue sticks,it's just so confusing.
I hope this little bit of irony isn't wasted on some of you Luddites.Truth be known, many of you only disagree because it's Microsoft's project and not Sony's.For me,Natal is unlikely to replace joypads and remotes overnight, but similar technology will, eventually, that's for certain.

[Bodyboarder_VGamer]

They are just trying to start moving the hype train.