[bigj2552]

This is gonna kick ass next yr when it comes out....

totally gonna change gaming and interaction with games altogether...

check out the link and give me your views

check out the interactive charactar MILO....great, but kinda freaks me a bit

Xbox.com | Project Natal

also...
Project Natal - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

read half way down...new xbox coming

[leeingham]

Rumour: NATAL out Nov 2010 - £50 !!!

[m1ket]

This was announced at E3 back in June 09

Still a lot to be proven though, i could the the use of a controller and natal being used together being interesting but natal only doesn't interest me

[bigj2552]

Originally Posted by leeingham

Rumour: NATAL out Nov 2010 - £50 !!!

dont think it will be that cheap m8....

i heard it was about £180....and they were also considing the release with a new xbox 360...or updated one at least ! .

[markgodley]

No way will there be a new xbox next year. The current one still has at least 2 years left in it. This natal will simply expand the life of the xbox 360

[Sniper Ash6]

Originally Posted by markgodley

No way will there be a new xbox next year. The current one still has at least 2 years left in it. This natal will simply expand the life of the xbox 360

Agreed

The market/economy couldnt handle it either

[InaudibleWisper]

Microsoft will market Natal as if it is a new console and they'll probably sell every 360 (maybe a new 360 a la the PS3 Slim) with Natal to ensure high market penetration. There 100% won't be a new console in terms of the next big Xbox release next year -- the whole point of Natal is the extend the 360's life. It's probably a good way to test the waters too -- if Natal is successful they can design the next console with an upgraded version in mind. If it fails, they ignore it and move on.

I think £50 sounds reasonable. The technology isn't greatly expensive; it's a standard camera and an infrared depth cam as well as the multiarray Microphone. The clever bit is the built in processor running their own 3D environment and human tracking software which likely cost millions to create, but it'll pay for itself in software and hardware sales. They really need to push Natal as something that every 360 owner has to have in order to sell Natal-only software. This can't be seen as a typical optional add-on, and anything over £99 is going to put a lot of people off. Even if they're selling it at a loss at £50 (most console hardware is sold at a loss at first) they need to get it into peoples homes and I think the majority will buy it for that price, especially if it's coupled with a Wii Sports-like demo.

It has a ton of potential and a lot of developers working on it, so we'll just have to see if it and the games live up to that potential or if it'll end up as another Wii with most games closer to Raving Rabbids than the traditional Xbox titles. But Microsoft have great third party support so hopefully they'll be a bit more innovative.

[Dinky Dragon]

Originally Posted by bigj2552

dont think it will be that cheap m8....

i heard it was about £180....and they were also considing the release with a new xbox 360...or updated one at least ! .

Whoever your source is, is a bit misguided.

[UKBOY]

If it's priced above £75, MS will have dropped a bollock and have to rely on discounting to get people interested.

Does anyone really think it'll be much different than the old "we will support this" light guns of previous systems or the live vision camera that has oh so many worthwhile games.

I applaud them for trying to take things in a slightly different direction, but I would prefer that they ensure simple things like getting proper matchmaking working in games already released.

MW2 I am looking at you.

[Dinky Dragon]

Thats Infinity Wards problem, not MS...

[UKBOY]

Originally Posted by Dao Fei Long

Thats Infinity Wards problem, not MS...

Not really.

I knew someone would be quick to mention the developer, but at the end of the day, running games like these on a "closed platform" there ought to be standard and working multiplayer lobbies that are certified as fit for purpose by MS, not just whatever IW (or whoever) decide to throw at us.

[Dinky Dragon]

[UKBOY]

Originally Posted by Dao Fei Long

How about commenting or making a point rather than a couple of emoticons ?.

Looking at the official IW forums, there is currently a 105 page thread (for the biggest game of the year, that has only been out just over a week) regarding the issue I mentioned.

[Dinky Dragon]

Seriously dude?

You are wrong and I am right. It is IW problem and your problem with MS. Simple.

[UKBOY]

Originally Posted by Dao Fei Long

Seriously dude?

You are wrong and I am right. It is IW problem and your problem with MS. Simple.

At least that's an opinion even though I obviously disagree with it.

I maintain that MS hold an ultimate responsibility to ensure that multiplayer games that operate via their service (Xbox Live) have to work consistently and properly) it's not like we have an alternate service we can subscribe to, to play Xbox games online is it ?.

Anyway, I suppose we ought to get the thread back on topic now, if the mods want to move these last few posts to a more appropriate thread that'll suit me fine.

[Dinky Dragon]

Im just going to ignore ya anyways mate. Live works fine for me and most of my friends. Maybe its because you suck at MW?

Come to think of it, it is the ones who arent that great that moan about connection issues...

[UKBOY]

Originally Posted by Dao Fei Long

Im just going to ignore ya anyways mate. Live works fine for me and most of my friends. Maybe its because you suck at MW?

Come to think of it, it is the ones who arent that great that moan about connection issues...

Some sweeping generalisations there "mate".

I play regularly with people who are much better at COD than me and they too are suffering multiplayer issues.

You seem to be firmly in the "i'm alright Jack" camp, saying "it must be just you", that says a fair bit about your attitude, which is a shame really.

[Dinky Dragon]

Im a lovely guy, and I care a whole lot about people. I Love animals too. I dont like it when people point the finger or whine though.

Im an ass, Im probably the biggest ass here tbh, but I will always go out of my way to help someone (Or annoy them(Im working on that though))

[Decadent Fool]

***off topic***

I think your second sentance finally offers an opinion we can agree on at least.

Thanks for taking a potentially interesting thread off topic; how about you get back to voiding the warranty on your new 360 and making it all shiny and sparkly while the grown ups talk?

***on topic***

There's clearly an influence from the Wii's success here, and I hope it rocks, personally. Given the hours I play some games though I'm not sure I'm fit enough for sustained playing

[bigj2552]

I see handbags a dawn...
really fellas.....

anyhooo......if this picks off...and the public warm to it....

i reckon in 5 - 10yrs max you will see total imersion in gaming...i.e. - star trek holographic games that you are IN the game, rather than playing it 3 party looking in.

now you guys cant tell me that aint intresting for gaming ? .

its coming people....yeh, so is christmas....but , it IS coming...real soon.....back to the future is around the corner ....1.21 gigawatts of gaming

[rcaudwell]

The video trailer of Natal on Live made it looks pretty amazing (although i suppose it would wouldn`t it) , with integration into the dashboard etc. The problem is how they are going to use the functionality in games without it seeming like an afterthought. It could easily end up being a novelty with one or two games specifically for it and another couple with a bit of a token nod in it`s directions, a la the Live Camera. Having said that, I`ll probably buy one

[InaudibleWisper]

Originally Posted by UKBOY

Does anyone really think it'll be much different than the old "we will support this" light guns of previous systems or the live vision camera that has oh so many worthwhile games.

Um... yes. This thing has cost millions to develop. The unveiling at E3 alone cost millions. They are going to push this like they would a new console launch. Light Guns and cameras tend to have a handful of games made for them, and they're designed with that in mind. Even Eyetoy, one of the most successful peripherals only had 20 games made for it over it's entire life and 14 of those were made by Sony. Natal is seen by Microsoft as another platform. Something every 360 owner should have and something a LOT of games are going to support. Natal has a rumoured 14 launch games. It has developer support from 70% of the third party devs that already make titles for the 360 and of course all of Microsoft's first party studios are working on Natal games. They have teams confirmed working on Natal games from MTV Games, Namco, Bandai, Sega, Rare, Epic Games, Lionhead Studios, Square Enix, THQ, Ubisoft, Activision Blizzard, Bethesda, Capcom, Disney Interactive, Electronic Arts, Konami. And that's without mentioning the absolutely huge potential the thing offers over limited peripherals like lightguns. Natal is entirely open to all styles of gaming from all genres whether you're holding a controller or not. Hideo Kojima (Metal Gear Solid) himself said that "Natal will start a revolution" after a personal demo of some unannounced games in Seattle. So yes... I think it probably will have better support than the Live Vision cam and a Lightgun. In fact to say otherwise is utterly stupid.

In regards to Modern Warfare 2...

It is not Microsoft's job to babysit developers and make sure that their games reach a standard. That is why we end up with games rated 2/10 and always have, because they suck. If the developer wants to be lazy then that is their problem and they will be the one with consequences. It is totally unrealistic to expect Microsoft to check that every game ever released reaches a standard for online multiplayer (and of course they couldn't just focus on that one area -- they'd have to standard check other aspects of the game). It isn't their job, you shouldn't expect it of them.

Not only would you see the number of third party online games released plummet, but people like Infinity Ward will just say, "Oh, it's not good enough? Fine, we'll stick with PC and PS3" who will of course accept them with open arms. You can't have them alienating developers with quality threats or they'll just bugger off. And if you think Modern Warfare 2's matchmaking is bad enough that you think the hardware manufacturer should step in (again, a silly idea) you mustn't have played many online 360 titles because it is one of the best I've experienced. You're getting ****** off at literally the most popular game of the generation having teething problems. And remember, there are literally millions of people playing it now without a problem.

If people are noticing problems with the game, they are Infinity Wards fault 100% and it is pathetic trying to shift the blame to anyone else.

[UKBOY]

Originally Posted by InaudibleWisper

yes... I think it probably will have better support than the Live Vision cam and a Lightgun. In fact to say otherwise is utterly stupid.

In regards to Modern Warfare 2...

It is not Microsoft's job to babysit developers and make sure that their games reach a standard.

It is totally unrealistic to expect Microsoft to check that every game ever released reaches a standard for online multiplayer

It isn't their job, you shouldn't expect it of them.

Infinity Ward will just say, "Oh, it's not good enough? Fine, we'll stick with PC and PS3"

if you think Modern Warfare 2's matchmaking is bad enough that you think the hardware manufacturer should step in (again, a silly idea) you mustn't have played many online 360 titles because it is one of the best I've experienced. You're getting ****** off at literally the most popular game of the generation having teething problems. And remember, there are literally millions of people playing it now without a problem.

If people are noticing problems with the game, they are Infinity Wards fault 100% and it is pathetic trying to shift the blame to anyone else.

It makes little difference to me that MS spent millions developing NATAL in just the same way they spent milions repairing shoddy consoles for years:they can afford to try their hand at pretty much what they want in terms of budget.

As regards variety and quality of online/multiplayer, you may not think MS have any responsibility towards the correct working of this aspect but obviously they do have as the product uses their service and MS would be mad to allow what is obviously one of the best multiplayer games of the generation to perform so poorly for a massive number of their customers on their own platform, be that the console itself or Xbox Live.

I hope that these are indeed what you describe as "teething problems" but as most who have been in the industry (or customers of it) for any length of time, promises of fixes don't always materialise into working product, see PES 08 & 09 and Race Pro and Wolfenstein as recent examples of "broken online product".

If MS as the "sole supplier" of online for Xbox360 are happy to continue to allow devs/publishers to market games that don't perform correctly when used online, they may just find that when it comes to Renewal time, those same customers that got shafted with unpatched or plain broken games, may not be willing to fork over another £40 sub for the privilege.

Ultimately though, I hope NATAL proves successful as it will doubtless bring more people to Xbox as a brand, in the same way as Sky player, Zune, Facebook and Twitter are likely to do.

[Decadent Fool]

Originally Posted by bigj2552

i reckon in 5 - 10yrs max you will see total imersion in gaming...i.e. - star trek holographic games that you are IN the game, rather than playing it 3 party looking in.

I think Natal has the potential to bring virtual reality to the masses, subject to some funky headwear though for the visuals Imagine if you could combine this with the new 3d technology they're using in films...oh, how sweet would that be?!

[Dinky Dragon]

Originally Posted by Decadent Fool

***off topic***

I think your second sentance finally offers an opinion we can agree on at least.

Thanks for taking a potentially interesting thread off topic; how about you get back to voiding the warranty on your new 360 and making it all shiny and sparkly while the grown ups talk?

Done, not liking it though so my MW2 case went back on and Im going to do it by hand, custom

[Munkey Boy]

[MOD COMMENT] Can we keep on topic and away from the bickering please?

[Dinky Dragon]

My bad, you know me, I finished up, just dont want to be slandered. I havent slandered anybody directly so I shouldnt be either.

[webby7]

Any news on the confirmed price yet?

Its going to have to be pretty cheap (<£40-50) to entice me as I still don't see it as much more than a gimmick just yet. Hopefully the games will blow me away.

[Rasczak]

Originally Posted by bigj2552

This is gonna kick ass next yr when it comes out....

totally gonna change gaming and interaction with games altogether...

It's an interesting one isn't it - at present we 'interact' with our games in a fairly inactive way, i.e. sitting down using a controller of some type. Natal, which requires motion, needs to get us up and make us move about. How would you apply this to a shooter game though? Would you want to use you arm as the 'gun'? Would you want to walk on the spot to move? How would you fire - waggle your fingers?

Believe me I am all from moving away from the plays everything/suits nothing gamepad - but I'm not sure camera only Natal is the answer.

[Mattk84]

Originally Posted by Rasczak

Natal, which requires motion, needs to get us up and make us move about. How would you apply this to a shooter game though? Would you want to use you arm as the 'gun'? Would you want to walk on the spot to move? How would you fire - waggle your fingers?

Believe me I am all from moving away from the plays everything/suits nothing gamepad - but I'm not sure camera only Natal is the answer.

As much as I am looking forward to natal it needs to offer much more than wii style games for me to buy it and i cant for the life of me think of a really good example where this could be applied.

Initially I can see it being employed more as an optional extra to standard controller games e.g. right arm throws a grenade, left arm a smoke or flash. A lot of devs will be new to this type of programming so will be learning as they go.

I think I read another COD/MW game is coming next year which is ahead of schedule - so could this be to release an add-on style game incorporating natal functionality?