Is Project Natal's success guaranteed?

Gamerzines examines the launch of Project Natal.

"Considering very few games have been announced that will utilise this technology the estimates seem extremely generous. The analysts predict that more than half of Xbox 360 owners will purchase Natal within the first two years of launch. We're slightly more sceptical than that."

[sinncross]

The biggest problem with the Natal atm is that we still have no tangible evidence that games similar to Gears of War and Halo can be used with the device without the use of an actual controller.

Controller-less gaming sounds great in theory, but in application how workable is it? Once MS shows this off then yeah I may be sold, but until then I'm a little sceptical of how much Natal can actually do.

[velcry]

Oh, wait, Sony please don't censor me.

[PLAYSTATIONGENRATION]

They must not know there Xbox fans very well...I gather less than 1 fourth..Are truly interested in Natal..Even I wanted to just see it in action but I wouldn't buy it... I would rather just use the 360 controller the worlds best controller unless we talking fighting games....(sorry playstation guys)

[xabmol]

Why are you sorry?

That's your OPINION, and you are entitled to it.

[clonerz]

if most people would look at what you get for your money the playstation 3 should be the only choice. I for one am so tired of M$ claiming this or that. They sort of remind me of Fox news and the crazy right winger relig bible banger type. Constantly banging on there chest we are the best thing since sliced bread polarizing b/s . Im sorry i went off topic my opinion on natal is this lets see if ms has kiosks set up wit natal like nintendo has with the wii that will be a good sign of its true functionality and then there are the games. The jury should be out on this one until it launches and you can try before you buy.

[xabmol]

"They sort of remind me of Fox news and the crazy right winger relig bible banger type."

I totally agree with that. Very odd to see someone stuck in a sort of "Orwellian dream state."

[WildArmed]

Here's a thought...
lets wait for 'Project Natal' to get a real name.. wait for E3.. and then come out with all these articles..
coz we all know that we are going to get the same articles after MS shows off Natal at E3 and stuff.. after every time they show up..
a few articles of how natal fails or is the 2nd coming will pop up o_o
I do wish we would get more news, then opinion/speculation pieces on N4G -- though Reviews and previews are highly welcome

[green]

bubbles for having some common sense.

[Guido]

Without opinion pieces, N4G would be cut down to a fourth its size in submissions.

As for Natal, it is an MS product and will appeal tot he hardcore for the sake of support and for those that have an Xbox 360, they will buy one when the price is right but the project will not see real success until he next released MS console. I predict that what we see in Natal this time around will be more beta than anything and what we get now will come in a more perfected package next time around.

[bjornbear]

although I'm not terribly thrilled by Natal or any of the motion sensing business, I think any speculation should be halted, or done pragmatically.

I think both over-hyping and bashing articles are pointless (no matter how fun they might be xD)

[fryday]

We don't have to wait for E3.

The MS Xbox Event, X10, will take place on 11th of February.

[The Meerkat]

All it needs is one must have game and 'Bam.....'

[blitz0623]

In terms of sales, yea. Bots will buy anything MS. In terms of games, it has potential, but I honestly don't see 'hardcore' games coming to Natal.

[dtrain21]

Of course it's guaranteed...I put that on my puppy

[Omega4]

All MS needs to do is advertise it well and it will succeed. If the mainstream media are so easily hyped by it the causal market should buy it in droves.

MS just needs a cheap price and just one game which demos how Natal is so much different from the Wii and then they're in

[mastiffchild]

While I expected you to think this was going to be massive I didn't think you'd be so silly as to imagine ALL you have to do for "casual" gamers to fork out for both Natal and a 360 is a few ads! Seriously, they need it not to be different to Wii but just as social and with better games FOR THAT crowd. They al;ready have a wii and if they don't hav had a go on a mates. Thinking that MS(or Sony) can walk in with just a bit of marketing and people will jump through hoops for the more expensive option is, I fear, VERY premature.

It neeeds to be seen to work BETTER than the Wii and be just as much fun for gamers/casuals and, most of all has to have superior games to a console with a vast catalog of motion control games. Casuals aren't going to have time for more than one system(and won't pay for another just to look pretty under theTV either)to game on and I think you'll see the media are a lot more keen on Natal right now than any current or potential Wii buyers and I think a lot of impressive hands on sessions with the public are what's needed to show everyone it works as much as anything,and whether it's as much fun is another matter entirely. I imagined the Wii would have had a lot more games where the controls were amazing but it hasn't happened in all that time, not really, so what makes us think MS or Sony will get devs doing it perfectly right off the bat. The other thing about Natal is tht some of the mooted uses won't be either as convenient as the buttons that do the jonb now or, in my eyes, any more fun. Seriously, there's loads of work left to do as while Natal and Wands fill pages of posts here on N4G elsewhere IDK if many people are bothered.And all the while Wii keeps on selling you know makes it a smaller and smaller market of casual gamers even looking for a console.

IMO the VAST majority of Natal peripherals will be sold to we 360 owners who alreaady invested in the console and a gret nymber of us, as you well know, don't give a crap about motion controls or even see them as the enemy of gaming. Not as simple as made out, not fopr me anyway and I just don't think folk are as easily suggestable as you do either.

[OmarJA-N4G]

I'm sure it'll be a success like the HD-DVD.

[hazardman]

please tell me the #1 reason Blu Ray is where it is??

[Doc Sony]

Thats an easy one

Blu Ray is where it is right now because out of the two it was the better format.

[D4RkNIKON]

Maybe because Sony supported it on PS3

[Rowsdower]

nothing in life is guaranteed

except death

[bjornbear]

and taxes.

[Harry_Manback]

...very skeptical

[Foxgod]

Nothing is ever guaranteed.
But MS got a great record of putting good and useful energy in their projects.

Ms is one of these company's that can make something big, as they have done with many other products, ranging from OS's to office software, to web tools to gaming consoles.

So i would say that Natal got potential, because it is in good hands.

[Michael-Jackson]

Vista was great......

[Ilikegames76]

like you work for MS.

[OmarJA-N4G]

You mean like Vista? Zune? HD-DVD? Xbox 360? Office 2010?

[Foxgod]

Vista SP2 is indeed a very good product, Just SP1 wasnt.
But i said they have a good track record.
I didnt say MS is perfect and makes no mistakes, you are a victim of selective reading.

@ilikegames:
I do not work for MS, i just think they deserve more respect then they get around here.
The overall sentiment toward MS here on N4g is very negative, while there is no point in that.
Most people here are too gullible with the info they get from the anti MS propaganda going on in the media.

[Wildarmsjecht]

I personally thought ME was the best OS evar!!11!11

[bjornbear]

so true! =3

[Pennywise]

Over all sentiment of MS is low everywhere Fox. Wake up.

[OmarJA-N4G]

In my experience the best OSs I've tried:

Windows XP SP3

Linux Ubuntu "If you know how to use it"

[Foxgod]

@pennywise

Only people with a negative sentiment toward everything (like you), think that MS got a negative sentiment everywhere.

Think of what would not have existed by now if there was no MS.
MS doesnt only acquire things, they also create things.

@Nicaragua.
Thats because a lot of humans are morons.
They consider MS their products as a given, they consider it to be around, and it must work and be perfect, otherwise its crap.

Thats just bullvision, MS does a good job on their product, delivering constant services, of which a lot are free. (virus scanner, web tools, office web edition, ftp clients, browsers and more).

[Pennywise]

I have a negative attitude about everything?

I guess your world only consists of bully monopolies and liars. That's the only thing N4G knows I don't like... unless you are stalking me.

[Nicaragua]

I would also say that Microsoft has a negative public image. Some of their highest profile products have had some very bad press and for good reason.

Xbox 360 - disaster for gamers (hardware not software)
Windows Vista - disaster for consumers
Office 2010 - disaster for businesses

Now thats not to say that all MS products are crap. Ive just started using windows 7 and think its great, but if i ask everyone who works in my office what they think of MS then the overall response will be negative.

[Doc Sony]

Not at All...

:)

[Dark360]

Hey Droid Have Fun With The New Ps3 Dildo Wand...HAHAHAHAHA

...Better Luck Next Time...LOL

[Hellsvacancy]

And u hav fun wid your EyeToy i mean Natal

[Tomonobu Itagaki]

The author of this article seems to forget something, Xbox 360 owners are very hype-sensitive. Most overhyped games sell more on Xbox 360 than on PS3, and the figures of games like GTA IV, Fable 2, Left 4 Dead, Bioshock, Fallout 3 or Assassin's Creed prove that point.

It's not a matter of install base, even the Monster Hunter Tri sales disappoint while Wii has the biggest install base of this generation. It's only a matter of hype. And Microsoft is known for hyping their stuff.

So tell Xbox 360 owners that Natal is great, Natal is for hardcore, Natal beats Sony, Natal is the future of gaming, Natal will be $85 but Halo will be on Natal, and yes, millions of 360 owners will buy it within two years.

[Foxgod]

95% of games sell better on the 360 (global numbers).
Even the game created by the guy in your avatar.

So your point is not valid, if you make an argument like that, you have to keep your scope on 100 % of all available games, even the ones that where not hyped.
Not just on the games that got hyped, like you do.

[paradigmfellow]

the US

[Robearboy]

What people tend to do is look at Natal from a hardcore perspective, when the wii first came out everyone said "its just a fad, nobody is interested in this" yet even now its outselling the ps3 and the x360 combined.

Natal is aiming for the same demographic, it will be bought in droves by the "Grannies and kids" of the world, plus with the established franchises like Halo and Fable rumoured to use Natal as well, it will try and cater for the Hardcore audience. For these reason i am predicting that Natal will not only sell, but sell like sh1t off a shovel.

This time next year, we will all know

[Nicaragua]

People wont buy it precisely for the reason you mention - THEY ALREADY OWN A Wii.

"Grannies and kids" wont care that there is another motion controlled system they can rush out and buy because the Wii has already catered for them.

The Wii is 100% child/granny friendly. For every gamer who wants a PS3/360 then there is a girlfriend who wants a Wii for Wiifit. They are the target audience and they will not be bothered about the new player in the motion control feild.

[hoops]

The only thing guaranteed is death and taxes.

[Antan]

Nothing is guaranteed in this business.

[PLAYSTATIONGENRATION]

ad MAdden....

[Robearboy]

Fair point well made, however the difference between the two is Natals unique selling point, it has no controller and it can do MUCH MUCH more than just games. I guess only time will tell

[PLAYSTATIONGENRATION]

But wheres the pudding...

[Nicaragua]

You and I both know what Natal is offering but Granny Nicaragua dosnt and i guarantee you that she couldnt give a crap about any of its features which are interesting to you and I.

Heres a true real life example.

I work in an office with 15 people, the average age is about 40 with me as one of the youngest. EVERYONE in this office owns a Wii except one person... ME. They are all aware of the Xbox and PS3 and think I am a bit geeky for still bothering with such toys at my age, it dosnt even cross their mind that the Wii is a games console and when i try and explain to them that there are better machines out there then i may as well be smashing my head into a brick wall - they couldnt care less about graphics, innovation, gaming revolutions or basically anything that i do care about from a console.

All im saying is that Microsoft thinks Natal is going to impress the Wii userbase then i think they are in for a shock because my mrs, my boss, my gran are happy with their Wii and dont eagerly await the next big thing like us geeks.

[PS3HELLSTORM]

the 360 has been out a year before ps3 and ps3 is behind 5 million consols...therfore lets say 5=10million are selling each year...the ps3 is winning! noone seems to understand the ps3 has the 360 by its nuts. exept ps3 OwNERS! duh....

[PS3HELLSTORM]

THE PS1 BEAT THE NINTENDO 64, AND GENESES, THE PS2 BEAT THE XBOX AND GAMECUBE, NOW THE PS3 IS GOING TO BEAT THE XBOX360, (IT ALREADY HAS ACCTUALLY...) ITS JUST GOING TO SPIT IN ITS FACE IN 2010, AND THE WII...WEE ALL KNOW ITS A CHILDS TOY.

[Karooo]

Good job microsoft.

[TheTruth2009]

Listen Gamers. (Well, at least the TRUE Gamers on XBOX Live.)

This week is proving that the TRUE Gaming experience in this generation is had on the XBOX360. With the Capcom Monster Hunter Announcement, the Cliffy B "Megaton" Announcement pending, the incredible reviews of Mass Effect 2 (with one journalist calling it the best RPG EVER),and the plethora of great titles that will be released throughout the year, it's obvious that PS3 Supporters are TICKED OFF.

My advice to you is to look at them and laugh.

Their BluRay Player just doesn't have the appeal of the Playstation Consoles of the last two generations. Microsoft has done what was once thought to be impossible...

Slayed the beast.

Project Natal coming on the heels of a Halo: Reach Release is a MONSTER one-two punch for Microsoft this Fall. And Sony knows that they're in trouble. The shift is already happening after Sony had a little success in 2009, and Sony thought that they could sustain it for a while.

Wrong. NO ONE CARES about the PS3.

So the answer is YES. Project Natal's success is guaranteed. And the PS3 Fanbase HATES that Microsoft has so many tricks up its sleeve. And here's the scariest part:

Microsoft has so many things planned for 2010 that they released the Capcom/Microsoft Monster Hunter Announcement PRIOR TO E3.

Scary, huh?

Get ready PS3 Fans. I tried to warn you in 2009. PS3 sucks.

[negroguy]

GT5 > life itself...

monster hunter?.... LOL no one is thinkin about monster hunter when ffxiv is comin along.. its just gonna blow monster hunter OUT THE WATER.. lol.. monster hunter.. funny..

[ForROME]

I personally think the PS3 wand will be a failure and Natal will be huge, Not because one is really better than the other, just MS knows how to push new hardware much better than SONY with marketing

Natal will be seen as, Xbox has reinvented itself with Natal, its like having a wii in your system however not just a wii, but NO hands at all, and during holiday 2010 there will be massive displays set up at best buys etc to push this home.

I just think MS knows how to make something become a standard better than SONY, Putting Mics in a box standard to send a signal, TALK , get ONLINE, PLAY,

Yes, Natal will be a success because of their strategy, and frankly it saves me from needing a wii.

[Ether]

In terms of sales? Yes. In terms of impact on gaming? Not at all. Same goes for the PS Wand.

Just like the Wii.

[Marty8370]

Nope, it don't work. But, thats nothing new, Crapboxes hav't worked since launch.

BTW both Sony & Nintendo rejected LAGTAL tech, that says something.

Jump Out, Play B3yond

[strickers]

I think it will be a big sales success.People buy what they are told they should.Look at Wii.For games I think it will be a poor gimmick and sold on bullshit like controlling DVD and voice crap.I think PS wand will be better but not sell as well.Personally,just give me a pad.

[ironmonkey]

no such thing as guaranteed

[jalen247]

Depends on what is your definition of success. Are we talking sales or are we talking successful implementation of the technology in games.

It will succeed in terms of sales because Microsoft is good at advertising their products.

I am a little worried about the games for Natal. Microsoft has the least first party studios than the other console manufacturers. Therefore they will be leaning on third party developers heavily for Natal games. Third party track record is not good when it comes to motion controlled games.

For instance,look at the Wii, a lot of companies outside of Nintendo still don't know how to properly develop for the Wii. Besides, games developed by Nintendo there aren't too many good third party Wii games.

I am less worried about Sony's motion controlled games because Sony has more first party developers than Nintendo and Microsoft combined and Sony seems to be pushing for high quality in their exclusive games, so it really doesn't matter as much whether Third parties are making shovel ware for the PS3 motion control.

I hope both Natal and PS3 motion control games are successful because it will be good for everyone if Microsoft and Sony succeed and make good respectable games for their motion controlled tech.