The current library of confirmed Natal games isn't garnering too much excitement from the hardcore demographic - and justifiably so. Although Joy Ride and the rumoured dance game being developed by Harmonix may turn out to be great, they're not likely to grab the attention of the dedicated Halo, Street Fighter or Forza player.
But that doesn't mean the hardcore gamer has nothing to get excited about. Sure, it's unreasonable to ask them to buy into Natal this early - but it may be that their enjoyment of Natal comes in a non-gaming capacity - at least initially.
The most notable reveal would perhaps by the requirements of the Xbox 360 console itself. While Microsoft has insisted since the original unveiling of Kinect at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in 2009, then known as Project NATAL, that the device would be compatible with all Xbox 360 consoles, the revelation of a dedicated port included on the newly redesigned Xbox 360 model has sparked rumours of incompatibility, which were quickly debunked.
odd, i was led to believe it lacked an internal processor and so also needed a core to itself, if not 1-2 processing threads.
So pretty much the same spec as the PS Eye, although I thought the eye went up to 120 Hertz...
"Tracks up to 6 people, including 2 active players"
I think now its official that just 2 ppl can play at the same time.
Xbox Evolved:
"Microsoft is holding no breaks in making sure the general public knows all about Kinect. What cooler spot to also show it than with Jimmy Fallon? "
although i usually watch fallon. i'll have to catch an internet clip of it later.
was pretty funny. same demos they showed at E3 though. Nothing new. But they sure are marketing it quick.
wow first that girl's co-worker hosts the Kinect event and now she's her playing it. I see the audience Microsoft is definitely going after with Bieber, Cosgrove and McCurdy - teenage pop audiences.
Meodia writes, "So about a year ago when Project Natal was first starting off, many Xbox 360 and even other gamers were worried about the future of their console. A local shovelware dumping ground didn't sound quite appealing and Natal looked like it would serve extra servings of it. But Microsoft reassured us, holding our hands and telling us that everything would be alright. Since then, nothing has changed. After that "conference" at E3, we were shown nothing but how to please little girls."
It's funny because after the Microsoft conference, we actually saw some. In fact, I'm surprised that they showed off the shovelware they did, and then an hour later Sonic Freedom Riders and Child of Eden were shown off and completely destroyed what Microsoft displayed.
gotta agree, MS is exactly like nintendo 2 years ago. hey, what ever happened to that dumb ass vitality sensor.
I'm not sold until I see the hardcore games
We honestly simply need to wait. People are quick to say Natal wont have any hardcore games and people are quick to say it will revolutionize gaming. People simply get their panties in a bunch for better or worse. I'm optimistic that Natal will succeed, however I am, right now, seeing it advertised to the casual audience. I don't doubt MS sees some benefits for hardcore audiences, but we need to wait and find out. I see Natal being much more effective towards casual gamers. That's not to say it wont appeal to hardcore gamers either. Really, when we look at even Move there is no telling what the developers will do. Look at how the Wii turned out. It's not so much that hardcore games are not possible, it's more about the fact that devs don't care to appeal to a limited crowd if the bigger crowd is more attainable. People saw something in the Wii we self-proclaimed "hardcore" gamers didn't see. We really do shape the effects of this industry.
This is why I think Sony's first party will be so great. I trust wholeheartedly they will not shortchange the games. Quality developers make quality "hardcore" games. The word hardcore is a hard word to use. Many casual games are fun too. Bottom line is that developers need to make good games. I trust in guys like Criterion, Bethesda, etc. but the problem simply is that we have to see these products first, and until then no one can be sure about anything. And unfortunately for someone like MS they have to rely on developers who they cannot control, I assume. Unless they make deals with them I suppose but largely the third party content is created by the developers and publishers. Natal and Move WILL be shaped by the developers imagination but the ace up Sony's sleeve is the First Party. MS does not have a strong one and I feel that this means Natal will be defined away from the hands of MS. And even then, will third parties even care for Natal or Move, especially the quality names like Bethesda, Rockstar, etc? But this is all speculation. Time will tell. I have no doubt that MS will push Natal hard and this means making business moves and what-have-you. I find though that it's like catching rain to take a drink. MS scrambles to catch it, while someone like Sony has water from a tap. I think this is my concern for Natal ultimately, MS doesn't have a First Party to rely on which means they need to find another way. Whether or not they can do it, that's the question.
realisticly speaking the so called hardcore so far have nothing to be excited about
so why some people are so excited and defend natal like crazy i don't know
it doesn't matter if (insert name here) has the potential to be great, good or bad
it doesn't really matter if microsoft or (insert name here) says natal is and or will be amazing
until they actually show something for the so called hardcore to be excited about then no the hardcore should not be excited for natal
stop giving me bullshit hyperbole about why i should be excited about something. give me some concrete shit that'll excite me. i've been told for months that i should be excited but haven't been given one solid thing to be excited about. theoreticals and hyperbole aren't exciting.
When they show something remotely "hardcore" using nothing but Natal, then I'll get excited. Until then...