Project Natal

[Mental]

http://www.gametrailers.com/video/e3-09 ... 0038?e3i=1

Pretty sweet. Full 3d motion capture translated ingame by a camera.

THIS could be big. I've been a bit underwhelmed by the Wiimote, fun as it is, but this would be a full workout in addition to an immersive ingame experience.

Won't be available until next year and it'll probably be $200 when it does, but I'll still get one if there are going to be any games at all released for it. Looks like the new DDR to me...and a hundred bucks says that if DDR knows what's good for them, they'll make a dance app for this thing.

[Zeus]

What are most people's complaints about the Wiimote? They don't wanna be swinging their arms around all the time. How many people do you think want to have to get up and move EVERYTHING to control anything?

Don't get me wrong, I love the idea. It's just not something that's going to be a main control scheme for any system

[Mental]

I think you're foolish to dismiss this out of hand. I've not heard a single person complain about having to move around with the Wiimote, usually it's "whooo boy am I out of shape" instead.

The Wiimote is considered a main reason Nintendo is "winning" this generation...and I personally love the concept of always having to be active within a game, or almost always. The fitness of the gamer nation would go through the roof.

[Eric]

That's really cool actually, full body motion. Could you imagine playing Punch-Out on something like that?

[Julius Seeker]

I skipped out on punchout when I discovered it was using mechanics similar to the originals. Anyway, I wonder how it will stack against the DSi camera recognition features, eyetoy, and Ubisofts new camera recognition periferal.

[Zeus]

I think you're foolish to dismiss this out of hand. I've not heard a single person complain about having to move around with the Wiimote, usually it's "whooo boy am I out of shape" instead.

The Wiimote is considered a main reason Nintendo is "winning" this generation...and I personally love the concept of always having to be active within a game, or almost always. The fitness of the gamer nation would go through the roof.

Don't misunderstand me. Personally, I like the idea. I just don't think it's going to fly with most consumers.

The Wii's popularity is starting to wane even here. It's also the least played system in terms of hours per play session and hours per day. And you often hear of people hardly using their Wiis anymore. There seems to be a trend towards the novelty of the Wii and the Wiimote lessening as the system gets a bit older. Also, the popularity of the Wii doesn't mean that it'll automatically translate to the 360's demographics or potential audience. That's a HUGE assumption.

People don't necessarily want to merge fitness and gameplaying. If they wanted to play real bowling, they would. You're underestimating the reasons for the appeal of the Wii. They're still games at heart, not fitness simulators.

At the end of the day, I still feel that the insanity of the popularity of the Wii is waning. Recent trends are starting to show that. To try and copy that or even take that idea to the next level ain't necessarily gonna work. I like it I just say most won't.

[Mental]

That's really cool actually, full body motion. Could you imagine playing Punch-Out on something like that?

[kali o.]

http://www.vimeo.com/4952629

[Tessian]

I think it could be awesome BUT I seriously am doubting the accuracy of this thing... I mean the video they showed had 4 people sitting in front of it and not only could it tell who did what but it was able to distinguish when one person was driving and DIDN'T track anyone else throwing their hands around?? And don't get me started on voice recognition... that shit is still years off from being widely usable for any use, let alone gaming.

Even the wii still has problems with accuracy and there you have a remote. I'm just a bit wary that this will work as advertised, I don't believe the technology is there yet to make this viable.

I think, though, that Microsoft is making the smart move that this is an ACCESSORY to the Xbox, unlike the Wiimote it will never become the primary controller for the system, so I don't think the issues of novelty wearing off would hurt Microsoft like it is Nintendo.

[Zeus]

I think, though, that Microsoft is making the smart move that this is an ACCESSORY to the Xbox, unlike the Wiimote it will never become the primary controller for the system, so I don't think the issues of novelty wearing off would hurt Microsoft like it is Nintendo.

I don't think it'll do anything for M$, that's all. Great idea that just won't really jive with the masses IMO

[Tessian]

If it doesn't live up to the hype it'll be mostly due to limitations in the technology that they lied about/ exaggerated, which is what I imagine will happen.

[Shrinweck]

I don't like the wiimote. It's even more repetitive actions with my wrists. I definitely don't need that. It also doesn't even come close to how precise a controller can be, let alone a mouse and keyboard.

My roommate has a Wii and I've maybe clocked 10 hours on the thing and wouldn't even think of playing it now that I have a 360.

As for full body motion I figure it would be very difficult to play games for long sessions. Also, I have issues (intense pain) with my feet so if I would have to stand to play that would be be a deal breaker for me.

[Mental]

I agree that the reliability of Natal will be the make-or-break part of it. If it's "make", however, I may never go back. I love workout games.

As for voice rec, Tess, there have been a few games that have had it so far actually (there was a decent-size FPS that I can't recall where you could command your troops), and while there are still issues with the technology we're far, far closer than you think on that. I've looked into some of the development kits and things are getting closer all the time.

[Zeus]

For great voice rec, all you have to do is try out Seaman for the DC. It was great for recognizing your answers and responding in kind

[Shellie]

This is like calling your mom and telling her how to work the VCR

[SineSwiper]

This is like calling your mom and telling her how to work the VCR

Definitely worth watching, especially near the end.

[Lox]

hahaha. Too funny.