Microsoft Xbox throws down gauntlet with "Natal" controller

The Seattle Times writes: "Microsoft revealed a motion-sensing gadget for the Xbox 360 that it said will change the future of entertainment -- and not just play catch-up with Nintendo's Wii.

If it works as promised, the device could dramatically raise the ante in the competition between the Xbox, Wii and PlayStation and usher in a new era of immersive entertainment.

Prices and timing weren't available, but it won't be available until 2010 at the earliest and will probably cost around $200."

[Forrest Gump]

Hooboy

[Monchichi025]

This device will be nowhere close to $200 at launch! Will be MUCH cheaper.

Think about it...if every 360 unit will come with it then it must retail around $75 or so to make sense. Because there is NO WAY MS would leave the $200 pricepoint now. Next year it will still be an arcade unit @ 200 but now with the camera included.

What this means though, is that there will be no more pricedrops for over a year and a half! Only add ons.

[gamesmaster]

i think natal looks really cool, and has real potential to be more fun than the wii's motion controls.

edit: although i was freaked out by the interactive 9 yr old boy thing, i just had a vision of dirty old men queuing up en mass for a copy of that game... *shudders*

[La Chance]

200$ ?? WOW!!
Now thats alot!!
But I have to admit the technology and possibilities are amazing.

That would bring the price of a 360 premium to 430eu...quite expensive.

They'll have to be VERY convincing with this whole project!

[Wizeguy21]

if it works.... Key words

[menoyou]

Report as duplicate, this has been posted on here many times already.

[LoVeRSaMa]

CTRL + C
CTRL + V

[qface64]

what are you talking about?
natal isn't going to come bundled in the 360 its a seperate add on just like the 360 vision they have now

[CrazzyMan]

unless M$ will bundle this Natal Project(100-200$) for Free to EVERY x360.
This is like 3-6 bln. $ of loss.

The best case scenario for x360, like 300-400k people will buy that Natal Project accessory(for 200$?), and will be buying live! arcade games,
because making FULL retail games for 300-400k is VERY unprofitable.

Any product, which is not a mandority accessory(like wireless headset for example) will have very low chance for success(to be popular).

So far, Project Natal is a NICE motion technology DEMOnstrantion, BUT nothing more.

[Monchichi025]

Obviously you didn't watch the presentation. They clearly said it would come included with EVERY 360 sold. Know what your talking about before commenting.

[qface64]

i suggest you take your own advice and watch the conference again

HE SAID natel will work with every xbox 360 sold
he even went on as to say it will work with every 360 available from now on as well as the ones out now

[phosphor112]

is horrible for anyone not into casual gaming. It cannot be used to utilize complex actions, it can't. Fact. Also, what about those who want to play games but are physically disabled? An amputee? Hey, let me play ricochet in my wheelchair, oh wait..they just recognize my ass as sitting down. Fun. It has many flaws in it.

And just so you know, I'm not saying the technology is bad. On the contrary, the recognition and almost instantaneous motion recognition is awesome. I just don't see it catching on, and if it does, it can potentially make hardcore games worse. Developers will dedicate larger teams to games that require lots of motion programming and such, while the next big game is being undermined by the top dogs of their respective company.

[Cyb3r]

It might make the 360 even more popular but isnt $200 a bit much? I mean the Pro version of the 360 dosent even cost as much as this accessorie

[GiantEnemyCrab]

That costs as much as the whole arcade console.

I wouldn't put any weight into that price he is throwing out there.

[ThanatosDMC]

A bit of waiting always brings down the price. Also, if it does come out and you want it. Visiting your neighboring Fry's Electronics is usually a good thing since they bring the price down of their newest gaming accessory.

Dualshock 3 controllers are $42.99 at Fry's compared to anywhere else. The sale price seems to be indefinite since it's all ready been a month and the weekly sale tag is not on it.

That also goes for the controllers of other consoles and their cameras and headsets.

Check Target for software game prices. They never announce it when they drop the price of good games.

Yeah, i buy too much electronics...

[Cyrus365]

It'd be sucidial to price it anything close to 200 dollars.

At most 100-125 bucks.

[Sonyslave3]

i could sworn the creator of the zcam that was the name of the device before MS bought it was suppose to launch around $99.

[MoonlightProwler]

If they bundled it with a game.

[Cyrus365]

200 bucks, what is this Rock Band? I guess if it's popular it can sell like Rock Band/Guitar Hero does, but how much units does it sell on 1 platform.

[s8anicslayer]

I think the 360 is too late in it's cycle to catch the wii, but honostley I can't see people really buying in to this, hey you can have all the motion sensing fun you want for $250 + Tax and that's the Wii, Microsoft is reminding me of sega in the 32x/SegaCD era, lets not forget the $200 waste of money the HDDVD addon was! pricey unproven tech like this is very risky but then again it's Microsoft they more money then God

[BX81]

I don't know. It seems like a step in the right direction. No controllers at all facial/voice recognition, plus the whole family appeal. I can see this thing selling. I would like to give it a try with a boxing game. I think people will buy it simply because it's next gen. People will buy things just because it's new, as long as it has a decent price tag. Hell I remember when I was a kid everyone was buying those slap bracelets.

[kewlkat007]

there is a lot more you could do with this thing. You really have to be big/creative.

It also have "voice recognition" and you can navigate Menus and whatever they might come up with.

One of the biggest hurdles for the wii was for developers coming up with new/creative ways of making the wii-mote functional. This is new and sorta falls in the same boat.

Again I'm surprised at MS.

[UltimateIdiot911]

Did you started gaming this generation? If Microsoft and other developer put as much care as they did into the eye toy, I don't see this going anywhere either. The eyetoy has a lot of potential if anyone remember the 3d tech demo with the target sign/ the image capture as tank/ the one that allows you to change your hair color etc.

None of those are out even though ideas are there, so if Microsoft does something with it great. If not it's no different than the eye toy.

[UltimateIdiot911]

"2nd, i really dont know what the eye toy does but i know you cant play games on it like MS Natal."

If you don't know what the Eye toy does then how can you conclude that it can't play games like MS Natal. You obviously never heard of Eyes of Judgement, and that virtual pet game. Like I said before, there were a lot of tech demos for the PS Eye toy and one of them had a 3d tech demo way back. The only problem is the lack of support.

[D4RkNIKON]

an eye for an eye, leaves the whole world blind. You my friend are blind to the fact that you spew nonsense about the fanboys on this site as you comment in open zone.. As a fanboy yourself.

[solidjun5]

$200??? What facts are they basing their assumptions on. I don't believe anyone would pay that price for that technology.

[Zuhk]

noooo :P

[PirateThom]

Even if they had to take a loss on the consumer hardware, they'll probably be able to sell it on or license it for commercial applications.

[bob saget remix]

too much man. I don't expect this to go well. Thats as much as the console! In this economy don't expect people to buy expensive accessories. It looked pretty good though. But this is something that gamers don't need. All you need is a good controller.

[bob saget remix]

$200 for an accessory is way too much.

[joevfx]

they prolly through that price out there to see what the buzz reaction would be towards it. that thing is not worth $200. its not even worth $100.

[Halo3 MLG Pro]

This will only work if they have a superb game that actually utilizes perfectly.

[40cal]

Right, I also need to see some quality software before I draw any conclusions.

[Porkround]

The applications for this natal just reminds me of the wii but with you body. big whoopdeedoo. Is it just me but the excitement level for their press conference, just, well wasn't that spectacular. I own both systems and I was expecting more. Not a fan of halo, forenza or alan wake so like I said earlier whoopdeeedooo. Thanks a dollar M$.

[SaberEdge]

I own both HD consoles and I completely disagree with you. I thought the Microsoft press conference was awesome.

Alan Wake
Splinter Cell Conviction
Crackdown 2
Left 4 Dead 2
Mass Effect 2

Natal

Huge number of cool announcements for additions and improvements to Xbox LIVE

I seriously can't understand how any true gamer could not be impressed by what they showed. What in the world were you expecting? What in the world do you think Sony is going to show that is going to be so much better?

[bob saget remix]

Since this is basically in alpha stage MS will probably rethink it, and release it on the next xbox. Probably for the best. It seems like the 360 is far into its lifespan already. So why release this in 2010 or 2011 when the 720 is around the corner?
Edit: who knows maybe it will turn out to be a 32x. Remember the hog. Remember that piece of doodie?

[Sunny_D]

I will say that the competition is really raised up woot woot! I'm predicting june 3rd, a billion articles wondering so who won E3???As usual, it will be SONY cuz THEY SHOWED GAMEZ!! No ITS MICROSOFT BECAUSE THEY STOLE YOUR EXCLUSIVE HAHAHAHH!!

[divideby0]

200 bucks....lol.....

[Awesomeo3000]

yea let me enjoy playing that painting game so i can show people that i have the ability to draw like a 4 year old or play dodgeball or watever that game was, and finally i can have little creepy kid to talk to if i have no friends yea real amazing lol. i need to see more of htis before it revolutionizes gaming

[Bolts]

There is nothing wrong with a device like this as long as it is integrated and focused part of the consoler's design. The problem is most...correction...ALL of the 360's games were designed to play with the gamepad. At best this will end up being like PSeye. A cool device that nobody will buy and is useless 99% of the time.

If MS is smart they should drop this moronic plan to copy the Wii controller and play to their strengths. In other words, make a better version of the Frag FX.

[knightoftears]

I know the price is an initial announcement, but at $200 it really doesn't do anything special except let you do voice commands and senses movements. At least with the Wiimote you look like you're playing a game with the controller in your hand, but with this thing someone who just sees you flailing around like an idiot and don't know why will have you committed...lol. Why don't they just come out with a XB360 that plays itself.

[Socomer 1979]

How much you're gonna pay for this family harrasing glitch toy?

[360DownINflames]

Buy Sony Games, Copy Nintendos Controller.. What can they actually do themselves? Oh Alan Wake, ill be on the look out for this Triple AAA Title that doesnt even look like it has online...

[silvacrest]

$200? is that even based on anything?

$75 seems like the sweet spot to me anyway

[Awesomeo3000]

i didnt even read this article but 200 dollars holy crap yea ill keep my regular remote plus im lazy i like to play games on my couch and blazed as hell so yea i dont want to move around lol

[Blades08]

Well based on what was announced (it was coming bundled with every 360 in the future). I think it would be a lot less then $200 more then likely under $100 if you want to add on as an accessory, I would say $50. It would make no sense to charge $200 or 100 for it when it will be free with future 360's. I also think it will come out at the same time or after they start bundling it as an accessory.

[Awesomeo3000]

im pretty sure they said it was going to work with all 360's not that it would be coming with all 360's

[Blades08]

The VP said both it will work with all 360's and come with future 360's in the E3 MS conference

[whateva]

not to be a downer but why are they talking like this is so new and never done before.

I'm going to buy it but that's because I love stuff like this I have the EyeToy & the PSEye.

never got the wii because I think $249 is too much for a GameCube with a new controller I just couldn't do it.

[SaberEdge]

If you think this is basically the same as the Eyetoy, you have no understanding of the technology at all.

[whateva]

it's pretty much just an update to the EyeToy / PSEye.

[CobraKai]

This is what I thought the Wii was gonna be when Nintendo first revealed it.

[condorstrike]

but they killed it... i mean them...lol

supercool.

[Blue22]

Where are you guys getting that it will be bundled with every 360? I heard him say it will "work" with every 360 they have sold and will sell.

[Figboy]

i'm intrigued by the technology. nothing more, nothing less.

we'll see how it pans out. i'd much rather focus on stuff happening THIS calendar year, honestly.

[divideby0]

considering the price MS charges for their accessories....200 fits right in

[SaberEdge]

This technology has a huge amount of potential.

[Juice360]

Was that point where the kid scans the skateboard picture into the system total BS or am I missing something?

At 1:45 in the video http://www.youtube.com/watc...

[volcane]

All of that video reel was scripted.

[NateDPG]

I wonder what Sony's answer will be to that, they also have a motion controller on the way

[360DownINflames]

360 is going to tank big time. Hope they have more coming, Alan Wake better be god like otherwise why pay 59.99 to play the same games as the ps3? Pointless.

[DJ]

Microsoft has effectively turned into Sega from their Sega CD/32x add-on days.

[Instinct_Gamer]

its nice to see that Microsoft is getting caught up in the Wii craze. The lag on that thing was crazy though. Also when he asked "If you wanna see the bottom of the avatars shoe" he spins around. Watch the avatar in the background, his arms get twisted round and disjointed. I guess it'll cool for people who aren't hard-core gamers. I only hope Sony doesn't sell-out tomorrow, and instead shows some games. MS was very unimpressive.

[Neo604]

the xbox is $199.

[Deadman64]

Looks like the Sony Squad is out tonight to do damage control. You guys have your work cut out for ya, lots of announcements today.

[Porkround]

@sabersbed like I said the 360 and the natal just, well it bores me because what happens when theres a lot of people in the room or pets for that matter. Is my fish going to be natal also. I'll bet that the games will get old really quick and another thing will my xbox suffer from all the prenatal exsposure. And the games you named. Alan Wake, was it me or was their a lot of frame rate issuses within the presentation. Splinter cell, not interested, never was. I rather play alpha protocol. Left for fred 2, Valve blah, bring me something like another portal game to take a crap in a hole to nowhere. I will give you mass effect though, enjoyed it even when my xbox was sweating with every framer drop thinking to myself i'm glad this is a good game because their were times that I was this close to throwing it out the window. Xbox live, well for the price its to be expected. What I would be impressed with if windows 7 works better than Vista. Thanks Again M$.

[NaViTo]

LOL 200$ to be able to talk with a virtual kid? you have to be kidding me... Microsoft surprise me every year! hahaha

[hatchimatchi]

im perfectly happy controllers, i dont want to stand in a room and move around like an idiot.

[ElementX]

What a D-Bag blogger. MS never said it would cost around $200. They know that price is way out of reach for everyone. This blogger should just shut up. He's pulling a price tag out of his @ss.