360°

Natal: Not all it's cracked up to be?

GamesRelay looks at recent developments with Natal and wonders whether the system can actually match what was presented at E3 last year.

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Blaster_Master5235d ago

Just look at that girl in the picture. Look at her! She's playing some water game. Who the hell is gonna play a water game with their friends on or offline together? Really? Milo? Milo?!!!!! Peter and the rest of his crew are insane in my eyes. Please, please dont get me started on that elephant cause right now cause I think im gonna freakin snap!

nogolis5235d ago

People are trend set morons... Believe it or not, there are plenty of moronic people in the world who would sit around and play a water game and flick their hands back and forth lookin' very absurd in the process. Natal should be in every mental institution across the globe cos' only retards, idiots, crazy people and jerg offs will get into it... Sadly, the entire world is comprised of 95% of nothing but.

Natal will make a huge splash cos' it's "NEW" and "NEW" sells. New sells because idiots think they have to be on the cutting edge of something no matter how stupid it is. The pager comes to mind in the 90's... Some idiots would have the pager and the cell phone. Stupid? Yeah, just a little bit. there are idiots in this world who go out and buy a phone every 6 months. Some jerg off's buy a laptop every year, knowing very little about the fact they can upgrade them themselves at half the cost.

People are morons. Consumers are the most idiotic people on the face of the planet. They will buy a turd if their friends did. Just so they're not left out of the loop. Heaven forbid someone be themselves and have a mind of their own. Why do you think the Jonus Brothers and Taylore Swift are so popular? Do you think it's because they're talented? It's because the media fed them to a couple "cool" kids and then those "Cool" kids had to be emulated by other kids trying to be "cool" ...

You're about to snap? I'm right there with ya.

Blaster_Master5235d ago

@ nogolis .

Dude, that was deep. I never looked at it like that until now, and now im not mad at fanboys anymore. I realize they are suffering more then anything and I need to help, not make fun of those who are in need. Thank you Noglis. I would like to shoot you in a game or two one day. Add me.

rroded5235d ago

but i still hope they deliver something fresh n ya so far looks like a flop
also hoping the ps3 wand delivers seems a bit tighter for the control n the wand will have buttons at least.

sinncross5235d ago

This info on Natal is worrying.
But perhaps the worst part about it is that we are yet to see any tangible use of Natal on 1st person and 3rd person games.

So far the PS3 Sphere seems more promising.

bacon135235d ago (Edited 5235d ago )

I can't wait to care even less after it debuts. Natal just seems like it is destined for the bargain bin unless some kind of stellar "hardcore" games are developed for it. I would love to see some rich gameplay come E3 of someone wrecking house in Gears 2 using Natal or slinking around as Sam Fisher in SC:Conviction, but I feel this will never happen let alone a great new IP for the peripheral. I usually have the "don't judge until it's out" mentality but I just feel underwhelmed by the whole thing, and E3 09 Natal demos didn't help win we over either.

AKNAA5235d ago (Edited 5235d ago )

"Just look at that girl in the picture. Look at her!"

I'm looking... at the E3 video and I would so tap that a$$.

Back to subject. In the eye's of non 360 fanboys, we know that the natal tech demo was pretty pathetic, Lame, embarrassing and hilarious at times( Ricochet/ splish splash painting, lagging, you know...)

But who knows, maybe, just maybe, it actually might have improved since capcom is working on a title for it and all and since one of my favorite dev. is capcom, I won't judge any further until I see a complete natal game in action.

LordMarius5235d ago

....uh Taylor Swift is talented -_-

indysurfn5235d ago

Look at you attacking a girl because you think people will stereo type the girl as not knowing anything about gaming. I'm looking at YOU, and this fanboy article. I noticed you didn't attack G4TV. I notice you didn't attach gamespot, or IGN or any expert male dominated game sites that PLAYED BURNOUT with NATAL. Why didn't you? Because people will instantly realize that game requires QUICk reflexes, and a instant response, and all that tested it said it had INSTANT responses! Not a single person that play tested it at E3 2009, or after E3 2009 said there was any delays. In fact they praise it for being instant, with good controls. I also noticed that at E3 Microsoft has already said that the NATAL box will have it's OWN SILICON. Now out of PURE negative fanboy speculation out of a fanboy site your trying to say it will be a load on the xbox360's three CPU's. WRONG, you FAIL, fantoy. I wonder when the ps3 waggle comes out will you supply the same logic? I dought it. Will the same site, and fantoys say there is a delay for the waggle because translating will put a load on the PS3? Especially since I have not seen a word about the PS3 waggle having it's own silicon inside the waggle!

DMason5235d ago

There sure are a lot of haters out there. Every other article is either "Natal is Doomed" or "Natal Will Fail.' It's almost like these gaming blogs have it in for the thing already and it hasnt even been released.

I say give it a chance. Dont count your chickens before they hatch. You never know, it might just blow people away.

UnwanteDreamz5235d ago

One article from a fanboy site huh?

http://www.google.com/searc...

So how many for these sites got it out for natal?

ThanatosDMC5235d ago

Milo and Natal is Pedobear approved. So it wont fail... probably.

beardpapa5235d ago (Edited 5235d ago )

I wonder how many of you have tried doing those publisher/advertising gigs online. Anyway, it wouldn't surprise me why we have a bunch of positive [or negative] reviews on certain products. The one advertising only needs to contact the publisher and tell them if they want a positive, negative, or generic opinion of their product. It is ultimately up to the one publishing to accept or decline the offer, so it doesn't surprise me if a bunch of the reviews out there are paid for and told to write something positive, or paid for and told to write something negative.

Especially, given that these are websites generating a large number of unique visitors and much higher # of page impressions, they are prime targets for big advertisers. Heck, even twitter is a medium for advertising. The only problem is, we can't find out for sure if the article is a sponsored writeup since the FCC doesn't really say we have to be blunt about it. We only need to disclose it somewhere. For that, we'll have to find the disclosure page somewhere hidden in a site to see if they really are getting paid (or not) for writing their articles.

Maddens Raiders5235d ago (Edited 5235d ago )

how Natal is supposed to work in a practical way. I'm being drop dead serious here. I don't know much about the tech or how it's supposed to work with most hardcore games (other than a few demos I've seen of Milo, Burnout, etc..), but being that fps' are ruling the day right now I would think that devs are trying to implement this new system into the genre.

I posted this same thing a while back and no one really ever responded as to how Natal will work with your "run-0-the-mill" fps game?

For the life of me - I just want someone, Anyone to explain to me how this works, because so far all I've got is:
====================

HOW YOU'LL WALK/RUN:
Imagine a square on the floor and you're standing in the middle of it. Move forward in the square to walk forward (backward to move backward, etc..). To sprint, move to the far edge of the square and do high-knees.

HOW YOU'LL SPIN AROUND:
Drag your foot along the floor to "spin" the scenery. Drag your right foot back to turn left or forward to turn right. Kick hard and keep your foot off the floor to do a pirouette.

HOW YOU'LL USE A GUN:
Hold your hand like a gun and then, to fire, blink your left eye OR lower your thumb down to the knuckle of your middle finger.

phalanx_mark5235d ago (Edited 5235d ago )

reading what the travellers tales guy says I agree with him, natal is very clever but imperfect.
However I think the lag issue wont matter in certain games where they can anticipate the lag. With the right games natal can shine.
He is not the only developer however to question natal's accuracy; imo precision stuff is out of the question; this from Rob Pardo
http://www.vg247.com/2009/0...

rockleex5235d ago

I certainly hope not!

It needs to surpass what was presented at E3 last year by tenfold!

Have you ever wondered what the bottom of an Avatar's shoe looks like?

Bigpappy5235d ago

I wold like to thank you for your deep concern for a product you will never use. I know that you only want the best for 360 owners and that your concerns about Natal is only to help M$ release a better product. We all know that the wand is superior and will be released this spring with all the great game that we have all seen. When Natal fails like you so lovingly predicted, you will get the honor of yelling to 360 fanboy "I told you so!!!"

Arnon5235d ago

For hardcore games, Natal will probably only be used in subtle ways such as upper body tracking (head, torso, etc.) for leaning and being able to look at various things without having to turn the camera.

sikbeta5235d ago (Edited 5235d ago )

@nogolis

Don't care what Console you support, I only going to tell that your Logic is Almost Correct but you're forgetting that the xbox consumers are "HARDCORE" and natal is going against they "HARCORE NATURE", the thing can be hyped to Damn Much on the InterWebz by the M$ Fan-Crew but in the REAL WORLD it doesn't work like that

Peace øut

Blaster_Master5235d ago

Tap that ass? Are me talking games or porn now?

Maddens Raiders5235d ago

Arnon thanks for that answer! so this will be used limitedly in full blown "involved games" and somewhat tacked on maybe to older titles in the library for things that you just discussed (leaning, peaking, camera movement)?

..what i want to know is what's going to make all the Natal based games so different from the Wii's drawbacks (to hardcores) other than the graphics?
I mean we are talking the 360 here... not exactly the domain of the cute, furry, and fam friendly Nintendo types so what is going to be so mind blowing about making facial expressions and getting animated in front of your set to the average hardcore gamer?

How is this going to shift the landscape of the industry if it's not being implemented FULL BLOWN into say a Halo Reach where you can play the entire game with Natal? Was this ever conceived or was this never going to happen because for a while there MS was making it sound like gamers don't want/need controllers anymore because Natal is here.

discuss

Arnon5234d ago

Since it's basically a camera that can track in a three dimensional environment, it could quite possibly be used for things such as hand tracking. Making various symbols for games such as Rainbow Six.

Of course, some games will fully support Natal. I have no doubt in my mind that various parts of Fable 3 will be Natal-only (if you own it, of course). Fighting games could be done with it, though of course they would most likely be watered down... still, they're hardcore for such a device. We know Rare will create various games for the product as well.

In all honesty, the only games that will fully support Natal will be the casual titles, with possibly a few hardcore games that work with Natal only.

Still, it is nice to have body tracking for hardcore games. Works on PC quite nicely.

+ Show (19) more repliesLast reply 5234d ago
fafoon5235d ago (Edited 5235d ago )

Project Anal Doomed to Fail

Kyur4ThePain5235d ago

The lack of buttons / physical controls will be remedied in due time by Microsoft with another "must-have" $50 peripheral that will include all the buttons needed.

sinncross5235d ago

Funny you mention this because if you read interviews straight after Natal was shown, MS are quick to point out that they wanted games to use both Natal and the standard controller...
so much for controllerless gaming.

indysurfn5235d ago

The lack of ENOUGH buttons on the waggle will be remedied soon by Sony putting out a new must have item for the PS3.

Sonyslave35235d ago

LOL yall ps3fanboys are scared of natal hahahahahahah and yall better be.

iron_sheik5235d ago

natal will go the way of xbox -fail
after ps3's price cut it is all over for x360 in console war

dustgavin5235d ago

360 fans should be worried about the missing processor. Let's see how the 360 handles that extra 30% processing load. Get your fire extinguishers ready!!

RBdrift5235d ago

You hit the nail with they better get there fire extinguishers ready, because something tells me that MS going to expand there 3 year warranty to 5 years after natal releases.

mesh15235d ago

keep wondering sony editor .

Show all comments (126)
350°

Microsoft's quest for short-term $$$ is doing long-term damage to Windows, Surface, Xbox, and beyond

Microsoft is pushing for no "red line" for what games could come to PlayStation, and it all revolves around Satya Nadella and CFO Amy Hood's plans to increase every department's margins.

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windowscentral.com
Brazz16h ago

"The plan to move Xbox games to other platforms is codenamed "Latitude" internally, and I know there's debate and unease at Microsoft about whether or not this is a good idea. More upcoming Microsoft-owned games slated for PlayStation are already being developed. At least for now, they're potentially obvious games you'd most likely expect. And yes, while it's true Microsoft is a prolific publisher on PlayStation already, it has typically revolved around specific franchises like Minecraft. From what I've heard, Microsoft is pushing for no "red line" for what games could come to PlayStation, and it all revolves around Satya Nadella and CFO Amy Hood's mandate to increase every department's margins. "

Yeah, they are going to kill Xbox hardware.

Xeofate14h ago

"Yeah, they are going to kill Xbox hardware."

It's for the best.

Quit stringing along xbox fans and screwing over PlayStation owners.

crazyCoconuts9h ago

Take good care of those Xboxes if you have 'em ...

outsider16249h ago

An Xbox game on a Playstation. Never in my years of gaming did i ever thought this was gonna happen.

jznrpg4h ago

It is dying anyway so doesn’t make much of a difference

VersusDMC4h ago

No way can they get rid of the hardware as probably 90% of game pass subscribers are hardware users.

Highly doubtful those users will move to PC or Cloud to subscribe there and the competition (Sony and Nin) will never have gamepass on their system.

If they want to keep the current subscribers, they need to keep releasing new hardware.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 4h ago
gold_drake15h ago

i think it will kill off the xbox brand. windows will be fine.

but there is and would be a chance that xbox might be killed off in the future. if they fail to make the money they put in. imo.

S2Killinit13h ago

They wont kill it, but they will go fully PC while keeping xbox as a brand, and go multiplatform for the most part. They will also work tirelessly to diminish console gaming’s importance.

PRIMORDUS10h ago

It would be best if Xbox goes the way of Sega, just make and publish games. I know I myself will not support them at all with buying games from them, you all can. 🙃

ChasterMies8h ago

The Xbox brand will live for the games. I don’t expect Microsoft to entirely drop out of gaming hardware. They make Surface tablets and laptops. They’ll make Xbox branded hardware for those that want it.

shadowT15h ago

"Microsoft is pushing for no "red line" for what games could come to PlayStation"

Forza and Starfield next?

Skuletor13h ago

Starfield would be no surprise and there's the rumor that it will come to Playstation after the Shattered Space DLC, Forza (along with Halo and Gears of War) I find less likely but I wouldn't be surprised if they eventually end up on PlayStation too, especially if Xbox give up on hardware and go the Sega route.

shinoff218313h ago

Not to worried about forza. I'd rather see others like what inxile and obsidian are working on. Starfield sounds like it needs more time in the oven so let it cook first imo. If starfield and it's a small if does release on ps it'll be in the fall around the time for dlc or right at the dlc and come packaged with it.

-Foxtrot14h ago

In the words of Phil Spencer when he was talking about Nintendo last year

“It's just taking a long time for Microsoft to see that their future exists off of their own hardware"

S2Killinit13h ago

Yup. MS are a cancer to console gaming.

Aloymetal12h ago

100%!!
I wonder what happened to that dude that was always here posting those court articles with cartoons about MS spending all those billions in studios. He suddenly disappeared, I guess he doesn't like bad news when the green brand is in trouble. No new articles from him as of late...

PRIMORDUS10h ago

Yup, and it's only going to keep spreading.

Outside_ofthe_Box10h ago

Phil Spencer's words always comes back to bite him lol

14h agoReplies(7)
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210°

Price Reductions Available Now on the Digital Xbox 360 Store - Closing July 29, 2024

Xbox 360 launched 18 years ago and was a generation-defining console that invited many people to jump into gaming for the first time and connect with friends around the world. We’re thrilled people continue playing their favorite Xbox 360 games on Xbox 360, or on newer consoles via Backward Compatibility for supported titles.

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news.xbox.com
Einhander197216h ago

"we believe in game preservation"

Remember the media reaction when PlayStation wanted to shut down the PS3 store (but then kept it open)... where is that reaction here?

CrimsonWing6915h ago

What are you asking? Like, if people got pissed at Sony for that? Because they did. We also got pissed at Nintendo when they did it.

You’re getting a chance to buy what you want before they close it. Moving forward digital stores should work like Steam. It’s just in this beginning they made it platform specific and closed off. A hindsight in their part and it sucks, but what is the percentage of people buying anything off these stores and what is the cost to keep the servers up?

I get it and yes making strives so this isn’t the case every gen we go into is absolutely a must. I mean PSN on PS3 is so convoluted to buy anything since you can’t use a credit card. Vita store is gone. It’s going to go away eventually.

Einhander197215h ago

"What are you asking? Like, if people got pissed at Sony for that? Because they did. We also got pissed at Nintendo when they did it."

My point is when PlayStation did this every website under the sun was writing articles talking about how "anti-consumer" it was yet I haven't seen anything like that happening when it's xbox doing it, in fact mostly what I see is praise from media when xbox makes obviously false claims about game preservation while they close down their store and xblig and push for digital only consoles streaming and subscriptions.

What I am asking is for everyone to be criticized or praised equally.

I mean look at the way the PS5 Slim's detachable disk drive was reported, it was super critical. Even though in reality they made it easier for people who initially buy a digital only console to move to physical, it was actually a step away from digital only. But did it get reported like that at all... no.

And you can still buy stuff on PlayStation you just need to add money to your account on the website or a PS4/5.

Tacoboto15h ago

That reaction isn't here because you can still play Xbox 360 discs of supported BC titles on Series and Xbox One, and you can still buy BC titles on the current Xbox Store.

It still sucks losing access to non-BC titles but don't act like it's the same situation. Let me know when PS5 actually supports my PS3 library.

Einhander197215h ago(Edited 14h ago)

How are you going to play those discs on your Series S (which 75% of xbox owners have) or your adorably all digital Series X?

And keep in mind that BC on xbox is an extremely limited selection of games, it's less than 25% of retail releases, and way less than the entire catalogue.

It's not a solution for the future, this isn't how "game preservation" looks, it's the fake PR that makes it that much worse.

Tacoboto14h ago

I'm not getting an all digital Series X so bark up someone else's tree, creep. I have my Series X for that disc support and functioning old hardware I still buy discs for (Bought Sudeki, Super Paper Mario, and 3D Dot Game Heroes a few months back - one for each old platform).

Fact is there's a mechanism that exists for Xbox OG and 360 BC physically and digitally. PS has none for PS1 or 2 or 3. If you're gonna bring PS into an Xbox article, at least know what you're talking about.

Einhander197213h ago

"Fact is there's a mechanism that exists for Xbox OG and 360 BC physically and digitally. PS has none for PS1 or 2 or 3. If you're gonna bring PS into an Xbox article, at least know what you're talking about."

I understand that, I'm making commentary on the fact that xbox is moving to digital only (and that the vast majority of current gen xbox owners do not have a disc based option) and not towards preservation as they claim.

And obviously people can play games on the original hardware for as long as that lasts, I have hundreds of games from "retro" consoles, I own nearly 200 PS3 discs alone.

Is there some reason, you feel the need to make personal insults in every comment, I reply to what you say without insulting you. But you know whatever, it says more about you than me...

And for the record "you" was being used colloquially I wasn't speaking you directly.

shinoff218311h ago

It won't as far as emulation. The os3 was built different.

I am in agreement though. I wish Sony would sell like an ultimate console. Have it where you have to order off their site and make it have real bc. Like the og ps3 had ps2 inside so to say.

Tacoboto10h ago

@Ein You're a creep because of your obsessive comment history making everything revolve around Sony or how awful Xbox is to a point that you're now just throwing irrelevant things in any way you can.

And don't try to make "you" colloquially now just because you're wrong about me and your feelings got hurt.

Einhander19727h ago

Whatever, keep insulting me, if you think that is going to make me change my opinions or what I say you couldn't be more far from the truth.

How you choose to treat other people only reflects poorly on you. (and this time it's not colloquially)

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 7h ago
darthv7214h ago

The PS3 situation may have something to do with no forward way to play those games on newer hardware. Not to mention the PS3 store has been around far less than the 360 store. 360 store closing was expected and they did a pretty good job making many of its digital games forward compatible with XBO and subsequently the Series as well. Ones they could not come to an agreement with are going to be left behind, but here is your chance for last minute deals for you to continue playing on your 360.

Just because the 360 store closes doesnt make all of those games you have (digital/physical) stop working on real 360 hardware. If people have physical 360 games, chances are they also have the means to play them. Just like People with PS3 games having a PS3. It would be nice if all older games worked on newer hardware... but that is not for us to decide, that is for MS, Sony and Nintendo.

Asplundh13h ago

Difference being the 360 games will still be sold on series consoles, while the PS5 only preserved a selection of Ps3 games for premium subs. If the Xbox 360 store closes the games will still be available, if the Ps3 store closes then those games are gone.

How does this contradict what they said about game preservation?

Einhander197213h ago

As far as what I have read that is not accurate, except for a small selection of games that are available through BC.

And even when the PS3 and Vita stores were going to be shut down they still were still going to be available to download if you purchased them already.

rlow16h ago

So you’re asking for equal treatment? That’s not how the world works or don’t you know? Which I can can’t believe you’re that naive. Xbox gets attacked on this site all the time. You have to ask why that was a big deal amongst the PS3 fan base? Because it wasn’t Xbox fans that were throwing up a huge stink. It’s was PlayStation fans and look at the results, Sony gave in and kept it open. You should celebrate it, instead of worrying about who takes it on the chin more.

The one thing I’ve Learned, is these companies don’t need people to defend them. They have all done things worth criticizing, but it will never be equal.

darthv726h ago

While the 360 store is closing and you will not be able to make any new purchases from a 360..... you can still download content you have previously purchased prior to the closure. The same can also be said about access to 360 games available on the XBO/Series. You will be able to make new purchases of titles that are available on the current store as well as download previously purchased content that is also compatible with the XBO/Series.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 6h ago
1Victor16h ago(Edited 16h ago)

RIP Xbox 360 digital store and all its games.
It really grinds my gears that they are waiting till 10 days before closing to give the best discounts and the list as of now is 100 or less titles from the massive 360 library

Phoenix7616h ago(Edited 16h ago)

I should have enough points by the weekend to get £25 credit off MS, (hardly ever spend money on xb1), might look at a few of these.

DivineHand12515h ago

The Xbox 360 store was one of the only advantages the Xbox Series consoles had over the PS5. When I got my series X, I spent more playing Xbox 360 games vs current-gen Xbox games since that was the golden era for Xbox and several titles had enhancements such as 4k resolution and fps boost.

Closing this store will now only benefit the competition.

VersusDMC15h ago

The xbox360 store is closing on the xbox 360.

Xbox 360 games are unaffected on the xbox one and series consoles.

Einhander197214h ago

"Xbox will stop supporting the ability to purchase new games, DLC, and other entertainment content from the Xbox 360 Store on the console ->and the Xbox 360 Marketplace (marketplace.xbox.com).<-&q uot;

You will not be able to purchase any 360 games. You will only be able to play xbox discs if you have a console that support discs which doesn't look great for the future of xbox, if it has one.

VersusDMC14h ago

@Ein

Why are you repeating what i said?

You will not be able to buy digital 360 games to play on your 360.

You will still be able to buy 360 games on Xbone and Series consoles. Go to marketplace.xbox.com, that's the old browser store and not the new one.

Knightofelemia11h ago

Won't be long before Sony pulls the plug on the PS3.

Show all comments (24)
70°

Best GPU for V Rising in 2024 - our top picks reviewed

Here's our guide to the best GPUs for V Rising in 2024, now that the game is out of early access - the best from Nvidia, AMD, and even Intel.

got_dam1d 6h ago (Edited 1d 6h ago )

Slow news day, I guess.