Project Natal – The Future of Console Entertainment?
Microsoft Project Natal will be released in November 2010, just in time for the Xmas rush. Natal is an Xbox 360 add-on which tracks user’s movement through a sophisticated camera system that users to interact with the console without a hand held controller. Many people, including lots of hardcore gamers, haven’t heard of the system yet. But believe me; this is going to be big, very big. Microsoft claim that Natal will revolutionise the games industry and some claim that Natal will increase the market life of the Xbox 360 by 10 years.
So what does Project Natal do? Well the Microsoft tag line is ‘No Controller Required’, and put bluntly that is exactly what Natal does. The sensor, which sits on top of your TV like an alien antenna, has a combination of depth, motion and colour sensors which track the motion of your body as you move around in front of it. Objects, environments and characters in the game world will respond directly to your bodies movements as you gyrate wildly around your lounge.
In terms of gaming possibilities Natal will turn your existing console into a Wii on super strong steroids and then some. We can expect game developers to pitch in with big titles based upon what’s proved so popular with the Nintendo. Music games like Guitar Hero and Rock Band will no doubt make an early appearance as well as most of the sports games football, winter sports and keep-fit programs for example. And all without purchasing the expensive balance board.
I also think shooters and RPG’s, which have failed to make an big impression on the Wii platform will also become very popular with Natal enabled gamers. The combined processing power and graphical performance of the 360 will make this type of game irresistible to the more dedicated 360 gamer.
The technology will also enable the Xbox 360 to appeal to a whole new type of adult audience, I think this is one area where Microsoft will push hard with Natal marketing. I predict that we’ll see a rash of educational software releases that are Natal compatible, fancy learning to Ballroom Dance with your partner and coach on screen? What about snowboarding, baseball or surfing? And it doesn’t stop with sports, thanks to Natal’s powerful scanning technology your Xbox could teach you to cook, to paint or even to take better photographs.
Natal could have important implications in medical convalescence; for example physiotherapy or guided self-massage and accessibility for the disabled could be become another important feature.
Sources indicate that Microsoft Project Natal will be competitively priced and will work with all existing Xbox 360 consoles.
Welcome to the future of gaming – no controller required!
Steve Quinn is a compulsive gamer and XBox fanatic. Visit Natal Blog for the best Project Natal News on the web.
