360°

Can Natal Win the Console War?

Think about it; if Microsoft were to really deliver on their promises for Natal and capture the imagination of their intended audience, Natal could very well become the golden goose of the videogame industry.

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Major_Tom5170d ago (Edited 5170d ago )

Two words, three syllables:

Haha, no. The Sony Arc has a really good chance though, basically becoming an HD version of the Wii where as Natal could potentially frustrate the user to the point where it actually hurts Microsoft.

Natal is an overshot promise, time and time again we've seen tech demos of it being used and being let down.

Where as the Arc/Gem has been tried, tested and true, delivering 1:1 motion capabilities with less input lag than the Wiimote and Natal.

Sure the tech may seem unimpressive but at least Sony knows it works 100% of the time, every time. Where as Natal well, let the video do the talking.

GreenRingOfLife5170d ago (Edited 5170d ago )

Xbox 360 can't beat the Wii, no console can. But I think Natal will help secure 360's dominance above PS3

captain-obvious5170d ago (Edited 5170d ago )

its a 50/50 chance
natal is cool but its just way to much of a promise

Sony on the other hand played it safe and simple and did what the wii did

still its a 50/50 chance to sony too

LordMarius5170d ago

haha the same video
+ bubbles

darthv725170d ago

they can showcase old people and soccer moms having fun with it. If not then it becomes as useful as the 32x.

PS...I already have the current live vision. Why can't MS just have made something like sony did that used the existing camera?

They just give a big middle finger to those who got the live vision. Funny thing though, it works for the PS3 as a standard webcam. LOL

randomwiz5170d ago

Arc looks cool, but knowing Sony's past history, I think it'll be the same thing as Eyetoy. Sony won't push it to the extent that Microsoft is pushing natal.

Natal looks cool too, but we haven't seen anything about it(live demos) other than ricochet, so I'll hold with my opinion on that.

Personally, i'm not excited for any of the motion controllers.

ape0075170d ago

casual gamers will go crazy, it may help xbox brand in japan but in the end I hate casual games and I really don't understand how natal gonna work in my games

let's wait and see

Cold 20005170d ago (Edited 5170d ago )

If Natal is a success and MS manage to suck in the casuals then yeah, Sony might as well kiss this gen goodbye.

we won5170d ago (Edited 5170d ago )

Natal will make Wii adoption and popularity seem like warm-ups. The casual masses/casual bulk will see Natal as the next-generation Wii tech/console.

Every kid on the planet will want one and every casual will be excited for one. Hardcore gamers will buy it for hands free MIC/Headset alone.

MSFT will have trouble keeping 360s in stalk at retail this holiday. Families will be fighting over them at retail.

This is why so many developers support Natal and why Natal attracts so many haters.

I'm more interested in what the Japanese developers do with it because it sounds like they're going to poor their hearts and souls into the tech. This is why Sony delayed their wand because they're going to try and feed off some of Natal's hype, hoping to steal some of it's thunder by making PS3 wand appear on the same plain and a on par alternative choice. Consumers will know the difference and in the future it will be only Wii vs 360.

Bigpappy5170d ago

The mechanics of the wand are the same as that of the Wiimote. Natal is completely different. The no controller option is major for M$. The concept is fascinating to most people that see it. I want to reserve mine as soon as it is possible to do so, because I know M$ will not be able to stock enough for the holidays and I will be showing off my Natal to all comers this holiday season. I'll be flipping through my Dash with nothing but a flick of the wrist. Can't F'ing wait.

Saaking5170d ago

No, the Wii is already too far ahead.

captain-obvious5170d ago

@ cold
actually thats good for sony
they'll have more hardcore gamers to take care off

Cold 20005170d ago

Yeah but then Sony will make the PS4 a SuperWii.

jk.

(but that could actually turn out true)

qface645170d ago

why did saaking get all those disagrees? what he said is true though
the wii is already too far ahead of the the rest?

darthv725170d ago

I feel they should beyond the current level of motion control. I would like to see some type of force feedback oversuit to give reactionary response to when you miss a ball in that dodgeball type of demo.

I know it sounds corny but force feedback was just one step towards interactive gaming. Motion is another. Combine the two and you are getting closer to really feeling like you are in the game.

Funny thing is sony could do this sooner than ms. Taking the arc idea and making it into a pair of gloves or arm sleeves that would provide stimulation accordingly. I know some may think next gen power glove but why would it be bad to wear a pair of gloves that may resemble training gloves. You could then have a more realistic approach to boxing game or hand ball or .....?

I think it will happen. Just not today.

Serjikal_Strike5170d ago

has no chance of winning any console war IMO

Anon19745170d ago

First off, when you make an add on, you have to have a target for the add on.

Because it's an add on, that means it's targeted first and foremost at existing 360 owners. In order to use Natal, you need a 360. Now, game sales tell us that existing 360 owners love Gears of War, Halo, Call of Duty, Mass Effect 2, etc. They don't need Natal for any of those and they aren't lining up to buy the party games Natal caters to. So cross out existing 360 owners. They won't buy this.

Ok. What about the casuals? They can try to sell Natal with a 360 to the casuals. Now the problem there is look at what the casuals are buying.

Strike one. One word. Mario. Casuals are gobbling up everything Mario related. Microsoft doesn't have a single franchise that can draw in the casuals like Mario does.

Strike two - price. Why the hell would someone pay more for a 360 and Natal then they can grab a Wii off the shelf and hey! There's a Mario game right beside it! I love Mario!

Strike three - what the hell's a Natal? Casuals don't know what Natal is. They don't read online game sites. They don't buy magazines. They may have heard of an Xbox but they probably think Master Chef and Halo is some religious cooking show. I asked a friend who bought a Wii for Christmas why he bought Wii instead of a 360 or PS3. He looked at me and said "All my wife's friends have a Wii. Everyone in her office has a Wii. It's what she wanted." Microsoft is too late to the game to combat the word of mouth that Nintendo has going for it at the moment. It's that simple. Slapping Natal on a 360 and having us write love notes to Milo won't even make the casuals glance curiously at the 360 on their way to buy a Wii.

So who exactly does Microsoft think they can sell Natal to?

4pocalyps35170d ago

i agree with you man. to be honest the wii has won this gen in terms of motion controls. i don't know what natal will do as a software product now that they've removed the cpu. If it was an entirely new console and advertised it as one, then yeah it would sell well, just like the wii has.

eagle215170d ago (Edited 5170d ago )

The Wii and PS3 will sell more than 360 this gen. I don't care about delusional people. Who is really that excited about natal? Really? :)

paradigmfellow5170d ago

With both I feel that there will be a huge crowd for the natal and arc and then people will see how much a disapointment both of them are. The Wii crowd will not convert as they will see how much more money that have to put in to get it considering they spent a fortune already on the Wii. Both will stay in the end but hardcore gamming will still be the basis for either console as you can't produce a Final Fantasy with motion and expect not to get tired and fustrasted as it progresses.

commodore645169d ago (Edited 5169d ago )

Can Natal win the console war?

Well, it probably won't beat the wii, but it sure as heck has a fabulous chance of keeping the ps3 in third place.

Let's face it, the ps3 is a hardcore gamer platform, as is the 360.

Both MS and Sony have had to acknowledge that the 'casual' market of the wii is, as yet, relatively untapped and lucrative.

Thus, for both Sony and MS, the battle is on for the casual market.
Going by what I have seen of Natal and arc, the 360 is extremely well positioned to capture the majority of the casual market-share that is available to them both.

Let's face it. The ps3 has no more price cuts, no more slim skus.
It has only got 2010 exclusives and the 'arc'.
PS3 exclusives look awesome and will surely sell some ps3 skus.
However, they will not address the casual market - for that they need the arc.

Realistically, however, the arc could, at best, be described as a wii-mote copy.
I ask myself, why would the casual market buy a ps3-arc, when said casual market already has a wii-mote?
It really is nonsensical and makes the 'arc' seem like a lazy afterthought.

The 360 on the other hand, is about to release Natal - an undeniably innovative new feature that looks to make the 360 hardware very fun and accessible to a new casual market.
By all reputable accounts, Natal will improve the casual experience in a new and unique way - an essential requirement for any noteworthy and successful product.

What's more, the Natal is being launched with the full support of a major MS hardware launch.
This means that MS will go out of their way to make sure that the casuals know about it.
In light of all the above, my money is on Natal. No brainer.

Even the ps3 fanboys can't help but talk about it all the time.
I wonder if they realise that everytime they diss Natal, they are drawing the casual user's attention to it, which can only increase Natal's notoriety and viral meme?

+ Show (20) more repliesLast reply 5169d ago
RememberThe3575170d ago

I'm not sure that it will, but I think that it will be harder for Microsoft to capture the audience that Nintendo has, since the Xbox 360 has an image of being the console for teens an college students. I think it's defiantly has a possibility though.

Omega45170d ago

It could, by making potential Wii owners get a 360 instead and cause Wii sales to decrease.

It marketed right MS could win the generation but it should certainly come in a solid 2nd place.

paradigmfellow5170d ago

because guess what, all Nintendo has to do is drop the price and say "Hey it is now even cheaper to get a Wii!" and people will go crazy

MetalGearBear 5170d ago

umm no?
Natal has laggy. that all. :)

Major_Tom5170d ago (Edited 5170d ago )

Lol silly bots and their monkey jumping antics

Wii360BeatsPS35170d ago

You people are sheep and slaves. Once upon a time you laughed at motion controls, you said they were **** and for casuals. Now you have them infiltrating your beloved PS3 and 360 and you surrender your gaming heritage to welcome these lame waggle devices with open arms. You are sell outs to real gamers and sheep and slaves of your puppet masters Sony and MS. Use your own mind for once it's sickening to watch the dumbing down of a generation of gamers into zombie sheep in a trance who just accept anything and everything as long as it's exclusive on their little video game console. You're getting played like a violin b*tches

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120°

It's A Crime That There's No Sleeping Dogs 2 Yet

Huzaifah from eXputer: "Sleeping Dogs from the early 2010s is one of the best open-world games out there but in dire need of a resurgence."

LG_Fox_Brazil1d 8h ago

I agree, I consider the first one a cult classic already

isarai1d 2h ago

You say "yet" as if it's even possible anymore. United Front Games is gone, along with anyone that made this game what it is

CrimsonWing6912h ago

That’s what happens when games sell poorly. And I’ve seen people wonder why people cry when a game sells badly… this is your answer.

solideagle11h ago

Majority of the time it's true but if a company/publisher is big (in terms of money), they can take a hit or 2. e.g. I am not worried about Rebirth sales as Square will make Remake 3 anyway but if FF 17 doesn't sell then Square might need to look for alternative. <-- my humble opinion

Abnor_Mal11h ago

Doesn’t Microsoft own the IP now since they acquired Activision?

DaReapa10h ago

No. Square Enix owns the IP.

Abnor_Mal7h ago

Oh okay, Activision owned True Crime, but when that didn’t sell as intended it was canceled. Six months later Square Enix bought the rights and changed the title to Sleeping Dogs.*

*As per Wikipedia

boing110h ago(Edited 10h ago)

Sleeping Dogs was a sleeper hit back then. It was fantastic. It actually still is. Would love a sequel to this, or at least a revive of True Crime series.

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100°

Lord of the Rings: Battle for Middle-earth II - PC Wore it Better

Lord of the Rings: Battle for Middle-earth II was an intriguing and unique RTS title, that sadly suffered in its console port.

dadavis199223h ago

Was just thinking about this game and wishing I had a way to revisit it. The way EA scrubs these titles from existence once their licensing runs out is horrid.

Michiel198912h ago

there is a client made by modders and it also works online.

kevco3312h ago

Indeed. The game can still be played online on PC.

Xbox 360 players, though? Bang outta luck.

120°

Final Fantasy 12 Has The Worst Cid, Says Ben Starr

Clive actor Ben Starr plays kiss, marry, kill with Final Fantasy characters, and decides to off Cid from Final Fantasy 12.

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thegamer.com
CrimsonWing691d 13h ago

I’d give it to 8, but whatevs.

mastershredder1d 3h ago (Edited 1d 3h ago )

Ew VO actors and their cringe core. Fiverr voice actors could out perform this chump.