Project Natal = Fail

Project Natal theoretically seems like a nice and innovative way to play video games but in reality it's bound to completely fail.

[Gue1]

I too think that natal will fail miserably but for core games. I just don't like the idea of playing with the air. For mini-games? That's another story. It could work really great!

When we used to talk about the future of games in the early 90' we often said the words "virtual reality" but why? Because theoretically the machine will let us feel the game like it was real! But natal just let us use gestures and no other thing like a controller... The explanation is something like his example of the driving wheel on the blog. (trying to make long ass comment short, so think)

In fact I see more future in the Sony motion controller than in Natal because it is a proven technology. Proven by Nintendo.

I entirely agree with this blog. =)

[madpuppy]

Motion controllers suck, they are imprecise and annoying. Give me a well built game pad any day over this sudo-VR balderdash!

[D4RkNIKON]

I completely agree with everything mentioned in this blog as well. I couldn't have said it better myself. I thought this was an interesting quote from a post on IGN.

"One big thing that the Natal will never be able to do is pick up subtle hand movements, such as the twist of a wrist, like the PlayStation Motion Controller can (and Wii MotionPlus for that matter). For things like accurate use of swords or tennis rackets, this is a very necessary thing. "

[spandexxking]

shhhh.....I completely agree, but if you say this out loud, we'l be accused of being a delusional fanboys:D

[three11_mtl]

I'm glad to see I'm not alone, people are so easily misguided by bells and whistles these days!!!! And they're already trying to build mass media hype by showing it off on national TV! It's a very nice device to show off indeed but what people don't seem to fully understand is that the capabilities and uses will be so limited no matter how well the body tracking is.

[Sanzee]

....but it still upsets me to see someone judging Natal (or anything else for that matter) before they've experienced it. So we've seen a few videos of Natal in action. We've read plenty of inform regarding it as well, but considering the fact that its not even out yet, not to mention that you sir, nor I, have yet to experience it.

You made alot of good points though, I see where your coming from, just remember... until the day comes that we get to experience natal, possibly playing our own favorite game with it, we can do nothing but speculate. Even those who have tried it weren't using the finished product. The truth is, as far as I've "SEEN" at "THIS POINT" I won't even play with Natal. I can't say for sure though. I may like it.

Keep up the good blogs man.

[Jinxstar]

As stated by Gametrailers and a few other sources including peter monoleaux. Milo only recognizes tone of voice. Every question asked does not get a true answer just an emotion. Everything is open ended. Also to further that the 'behind closed doors" demo that people went to had a guy sitting next to the TV with a controller manipulating Milo... It's the freakin wizard of oz.

Otherwise I like your blog.

[RoyBoys]

I liked your post dude! The Milo part was so true. When I first heard about it, it was everywhere on N4G and everyone was talking about it. I thought to myself that it doesn't look entertaining at all.

[Godmars290]

Not liking Natal for all the attention its getting while being unproven, I don't think that it should be getting attacked for that same reason. Once its out, not giving BJs that its fans seem to think it'll be able to do, then will be the time to actually ask questions. Look for faults. Again, not that its going t matter to its fanbase.

MS obviously planned the current media blitz for the first reason you offer for Natal's possible failure, with Milo as the primary catalyst. Come the second, you can be sure they'll be ready to cover their tracks.

[Hypnotic]

You're just a "pre-Natal" hater!

See what I did there?

Anyways, don't like it? Don't buy it. I'm holding my judgments until I get to see it in action myself.

[punisher99]

I've been saying this every since E3 09. I mean what exactly do 360 gamers think they are gonna be doing with Natal? Can you actually play Halo, Fable 2, and Gears Of War with this? I honestly see nothing but paint games and exercise games and maybe some small casual games. And the problem is, the last time I checked, the 360 is a hardcore gamer's machine.

[D4RkNIKON]

Exactly.. The hardcore gamers shouldn't care about this, but they do care about supporting their console no matter what while simoltaniously putting down the other consoles in a fanboy driven garbage. They might not even like Natal or it's games when it is released, they just want to feel like their console has the latest and greatest games and ideas around.

[Jinxstar]

honestly it's pretty hard to compete with Sony's true exclusives. While the 360 has exclusives. although fewer, about half of those are on PC as well...

[Killman]

I am not going to say that Natal will fail, its not been released yet so that would be jumping the gun. I will say this, Natal is obviously Microsofts way to lock themselves into the casual gamer scene.

[Tiberium]

I agree they are reaching to the casual. But if they combine this with the core games then they could be even better. I mean using a 360 controller and the camera would be amazing. I'm all for what nintendo did with the wiimote and motion plus. What I'm not for is them showing off this great hardware running wii-sports resort. I mean if nintendo made natal then you have something to be worried about.

[jixar]

the point is that MS wants this milo and PN to get a new audience. They said it themselves. But i would highly doubt it any hardcore gamer would find this entertaining lol.

[peeps]

I wouldn't say it's a fail untill we get a chance to play it, however... my opinion is very similar. I just can't see it working effectively in any sort of games i play.

In reality we may see that some games use a controller as normal and has natal as an option. bad example tbh but like with the socom games, you can command your squad using a mic but if you don't have a mic you can just select text commands from a menu.

But as well as obv not judging it so early, i'm amazed at the amount of people going on about how amazing it is. Again, how can you really judge it till you play it.

Personally for the majority of games, you need a controller. as 1 guy mentioned, racing where you hold thing air... i'd just find that weird and is subtracting from recreating a driving experience (that you can get by using a decent wheel, pedals etc

[creamydingle]

Can someone please explain to me how natal is any different from sony's eye toy? Im not trying to be smart or a fanboy or anything I just want an clear explanation of how natal is different from the eye toy? Because it seems basically the same to me or very very similar. So please pm me the answer or leave the answer below in comment be nice im not knocking natal i just want a answer.

[peeps]

i guess it's just an advanced version. better tracking etc + can also sense depth (cant remember if eyetoy could do that?) and also the voice recognition/ can sense the tone of ur voice.

i think it will be a long time untill we see it used in a game i'd consider playing rather than a mini game

[Jinxstar]

@ peeps.

The eyetoy can sense depth but probably not all that well. I mean based on the stage tech demo it can easily sense depth direction and other things with a little halp. The pet game can as well a little. Even games that are out like Trials of Topoq can but not as well as you might hope... Still though in the end if PSeye is 30$ and natal turns out to be like 70 or more then it's kinda... Well you get the idea it's like compaing a porsche to a ford. The porsche may have more bells and whistles but they both can get you where your going...

[CrAzYbRoS]

EyeToy
-Senses movement by light
-Microphone

Natal
-Senses 3D Movement
-Senses color
-Voice Recognition
-Integration with system interface

Anyone who thinks EyeToy is even close to Natal in quality so far is bonkers. EyeToy has so far had 21 games released exclusively for it, with 15 of those being "EyeToy: (insert name here)" games that all sucked.

[peeps]

"Anyone who thinks EyeToy is even close to Natal in quality so far is bonkers. EyeToy has so far had 21 games released exclusively for it, with 15 of those being "EyeToy: (insert name here)" games that all sucked."

thats my concern tbh. It may be a big leap from the eyetoy, but it's essentially the same thing. My biggest problem is seeing this as being used in a way that isn't simply trying to take some of nintendo's pie which would mean 'casual' games. I think ms even said themselves that was the target market for natal.

[AbyssGravelord]

You ever wonder what the bottom of an avatar's shoe looks like?

Well BAM!

[Dmack79]

I agree 100%. Even though I too think it's too early to judge natal, especially when MS hasn't given gamers a solid specific date for its release (or a price).

How will we be able to even make our video game character walk? Or even run and pull off Crazy ninja combos???

Anyone care to answere?

[da720izcumin]

so how could it fail, if it's not released?

hey, you know what, the more you guys talk about it and stir controversy. the more it will be in the limelight, thanks for the free advertisement.

[peeps]

"thanks for the free advertisement. " made me laugh. you speak as if your an ms employee