Xbox Natal

[Jason]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oACt9R9z37U&feature=channel

Yes, it is a mock-up, but it's an interesting one. I'm not convinced motion capture is the way forward just yet, particularly at an affordable price.

The 'games' that were mocked up all had one major flaw - none of them showed any of the characters moving anywhere except the skateboarder. With motion capture, how are you going to control your movement? There's only so far you can walk forward before you bang your head on the TV, trip over the cat, or wreck the coffee table.

If it does everything it claims to do (and the motion capture technology works to an acceptable level), it has the potential to be very good indeed. Whether it reaches that potential is another matter altogether - let's be honest, Microsoft don't have a great track record with hardware.

What do you guys think? Is Natal going to crash and burn, or will it be the ultimate accessory for the modern family? What would you like to see it do, and most importantly, what games would you like to see, and how would you implement them?

[el canadiano]

As IGN stated once, it's prob. gonna kill a game like Halo.

[Jason]

I don't know if it will completely kill it - FPS games sell far too well to just be abandoned - but it'll certainly be interesting to see how they're planning on controlling them...

[BannanoPeel]

I think it will work out fine. Just like when PS3 first had they're rotating controller thing some games used to much.

[Jason]

Developers now have their hands on the development kits for Natal, and many are reporting some interesting issues:


Whilst it functions well in total darkness and broad daylight, low-light levels have proved tricky, generally when light is too poor for regular capture, but not dark enough to warrant use of the infra-red.
Loose, baggy clothing causes major detection issues. Looks like it's back to that lycra jumpsuit, guys.
Apparently for an average height of 6 feet (180cms), players need to be approximately 3m away from the unit, which is pretty impractical if you don't have it set up in the living room (measure it... it's further than you think!)
Whilst Natal detects movement from the arms, legs, knees and elbows, it does NOT detect movement of hands or feet alone.
Latency between the act of moving and its transfer into the game is currently about 125ms, which is quite simply too high. That's an eighth of a second, which although it sounds trivial, will be noticeable and no doubt be highly irritating for anything requiring quick-twitch reflexes.
And perhaps most worrying of all, there are several developers reporting that the development documents 'advise against the creation of certain types of games', particularly Shooters.


Of course, due to confidentiality agreements, the sources cannot be named, which makes proving anything very difficult. However, there's rarely any smoke without some kind of fire, and I hope this isn't a worrying sign of things to come for Project Natal.

[EDIT - the source of this post was in French, so there *may* be minor inaccuracies - between the use of Google Translate and my own sketchy knowledge of French, I've pieced together what I can]

[Steph]

Ooooh it looks awesome if they can pull it through. Although I don't have enough space in my room to be kicking and punching all over the place. Plus I need to stay away from motion stuff like the Wii because I end up injuring everyone around me ... maybe this is something I need to stay away from.
:P

Plus, how much will Microsoft be charging for that?!

[JustaBitOutside]

Plus, how much will Microsoft be charging for that?!

I hear you on that, hope it's not as expensive as the goofball motion system for the PS3, you could buy a Wii for that price tag.

I'm just not crazy about the motion stuff and it's not the concept, it's just the execution. What you posted Jason is exactly what I worry about, the LAG!! Wii games frustrate the shit out of me because they don't seem to ever react the way that I want them to. This looks like another overpriced impractical peripheral. Love the concept technology, but I know I certainly don't have 3 meters to spare in my room for some Karate kid crap. and what good is playing any of these games if I don't get to scan my GUN into the game ? :) Imagine some GTA with your own weapon of choice!! Mine at the moment is actually a Super Scope from the SNES, but a boy can dream :hammer:

[Steph]

Imagine some GTA with your own weapon of choice!! Mine at the moment is actually a Super Scope from the SNES, but a boy can dream :hammer:

That would be orgasmic ... almost brings tears of joy to my eyes.

[dimples]

That looks great! Would be so much fun that you don't have to sit around and play :D