Hands-on: Project Natal: Burnout
by Justin McElroy 
{ Jun 11th 2009 at 2:46PM } 
My expectations were pretty high, as Grant came back with some pretty glowing reviews. I figured that it would work, but it wouldn't necessarily supplant the controller as my preferred method of game interaction.
But after a few seconds with the game, I knew that it would be very hard to go back to steering with a thumb stick.
You've probably seen it in action by now, but here's the full rundown. Pretend you're steering to steer, step forward for gas, step behind you for brakes. And that's it. It's simplicity itself and it works just the way you'd hope it would, or at least it did for me, with even tiny motions being registered. I'm not positive, but I think I might have actually been better with the Natal than a standard pad.
I'll admit it: Within the first 10 seconds of driving with no controller -- despite my typically steely journalistic exterior -- I was laughing like a little kid, at an embarrassing volume.
Sure, I'm gushing, but there are limitations to my praise. First, there was no way to boost, bring up the map, change the viewpoint, etc. I know that this wasn't a fully-fleshed out game, but it did get me thinking: Will all that stuff that's not driving just become an annoyance with Natal? How much will it take me out of the experience to keep picking up the controller every few minutes?
Also, I had to stand the whole time. As a person living with chubbiness, that's not the way I want to play video games all the time. Could they design it so you could play while sitting? Most likely. But I'm remaining skeptical on behalf of all my sedentary people.
It's hard to write too much more about the experience, because it just worked, and exactly the way I hoped it would. I can't speak to any other facet of Project Natal, but pretending to drive a car with it is a hell of a lot of fun.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
216 @ Jun 11th 2009 2:51PM
i could see this causing velocitation real easily
required @ Jun 11th 2009 4:34PM
Maybe. I have a hunch that Joe Q. Public will simply see at as something Wii've seen before (even though it is new).
Doombot (zuburi) @ Jun 11th 2009 4:49PM
Velociraptors?! Those fools at MIcrosoft! Sure, now everybody is all "ooh, ahh" and that's how it starts, but later comes the running and screaming!
E.J. @ Jun 11th 2009 5:15PM
Doombot, you're awesome. And so is Jeff Goldblum.
Neuromancer @ Jun 11th 2009 5:18PM
Clever girl
Archon (PSN: Archonik, XBL: DarkARHN) @ Jun 11th 2009 2:53PM
As proved by Wii, standing and flailing your arms around is only fun for the first few weeks. After that it's just a chore and a boring one.
Cody @ Jun 11th 2009 2:56PM
Yeah, because that's what all us Wii owners do. Stand and flail. Except that we don't. At all.
ronEbear @ Jun 11th 2009 3:02PM
@Cody
Alright then, you people sit and waggle or even lie down and flick.
baby sea tuna @ Jun 11th 2009 3:10PM
Or opt for a wavebird or classic controller whenever available.
bm @ Jun 11th 2009 3:23PM
Well, just for example, Exite Truck was an awesome not-mario-kart racer when it came out, three years ago (still is btw). That's what a lot of people should remember while trying their best to pretend MS and Sony's motion things are revolutionary and totally original and so much better than Nintendo's motion thing. They had games -out- using their technology, three years ago.
bm @ Jun 11th 2009 3:25PM
Wow, goddamn broken comment system got me now, too. The above was meant as a reply to firstbornrogers below.
Douche Bigalow @ Jun 11th 2009 3:31PM
That's the same tack I take on this whole issue, and I'm branded a cynic.
Certainly I'm excited to see what can be done with these new techs. But pretending they're going to replace existing controls is idiotic. Look at the PC - for shooters its interface is more intuitive, precise, and easier to master than a console controller. But people still play shooters on console because you can get comfortable on your couch, rather than sitting bolt upright in a computer chair with your mouse arm rigid.
Two problems face motion control: the limitations of the types of motion that can be recognized (as seen with steering & gas/brake, but not being able to do the many other things most games require); and fatigue. But since it's a cool gimmick I'm sure they'll sell tons of them.
Mr Khan @ Jun 11th 2009 3:49PM
Its been a long time since i've stood and flailed for anything except Wii Sports itself.
a long, long time.
TheDemiurge @ Jun 11th 2009 4:18PM
Seriously, how is this any different than controlling Mario Kart Wii with the steering wheel? You use an imaginary steering wheel and stick your foot out. I don't see why this is being hyped beyond belief. They could have made a burnout game for Wii that does pretty much the same thing.
BIGGEN (LIVE-PSN: BIGGEN1103) @ Jun 11th 2009 4:46PM
yeah, but they didn't, because it's not the same thing, at all.
Jack Tretton @ Jun 11th 2009 5:14PM
"Also, I had to stand the whole time."
Ugh... that doesn't work too well for a driving game.
TheDemiurge @ Jun 11th 2009 7:33PM
The basic motion is exactly the same, just how that motion being read is different. They both amount to holding out your hands like you're driving a car and moving them. It's the same.
TheDemiurge @ Jun 11th 2009 7:35PM
How is it different? The only difference is how the motion is being read. Other than that you just stick you hands in front of your face like you're driving a car, just like you can do on the Wii.
PARANOID365 @ Jun 15th 2009 4:30AM
@ bm, and any other delusional asshat,
You really need to stop with the Microsoft bashing over Natal, (and it's supposed copying of the Wii), because the facts speak volumes, and the fact is Nintendo and Sony copied Microsoft in all this, (not the other way around), so get a clue.
If you guys did a little research you would quickly discover that the big heads at Nintendo never revolutionized shit; now who are the true copiers !!
http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/um/people/awilson/wand/default.htm
http://www.igniq.com/2005/11/microsofts-prototype-xwand.html
I have been saying this, ever since the Wii hit the market, and every time someone decides to try and say how revolutionary the Wii is, (and now Sony decided to jump on the bandwagon); what a joke !!
il_duce620 @ Jun 11th 2009 2:55PM
I'll stick to my Wii Wheel and Mario Kart, thank you. Cheaper, and works _right_now_, as opposed to 2010/2011 when this finally comes out.
firstbornrogers @ Jun 11th 2009 2:59PM
But we want those kind of controls on a game that's not Mario Kart.
PedoJokerBear (aka Deeznuts) @ Jun 11th 2009 3:27PM
or a plastic wheel.
TheDemiurge @ Jun 11th 2009 4:20PM
Because pretending to hold a steering wheel looks cooler than actually holding a steering wheel?
Platinum_Skeet @ Jun 11th 2009 5:00PM
You can grab a steering wheel if you want and use it. It's just they're showing the capabilities to pick up the body parts without right now...
Spartacus @ Jun 11th 2009 5:33PM
Except the motion controls on Mario Kart are not nearly as good/accurate as using the traditional control scheme. I could beat the pants off of my friends using the thumbstick while they used motion controls.
Natal sounds like it's actually an accurate system.
thesoiden @ Jun 13th 2009 6:30PM
@Spartacus
You clearly haven't played Mario Kart Wii. It's very very accurate. People complain just because you hold a plastic wheel (Oh, that sucks big time) on the air, but steering is actually very satisfying.
MariusElijah (Only on PlayStation 3) @ Jun 11th 2009 2:55PM
When is Natal coming, I keep hearing fall of 2010, then why all the hype for it now. Im guessing MS is just trying to move units
MichaelG @ Jun 11th 2009 3:30PM
What other possible reason could there be?
vidGuy @ Jun 11th 2009 3:50PM
Despite the fact MS is saying it will be 360 compatible, I have a feeling it won't be to market until their next console launch.
Longhorn of Myon [PSN: MariusElijah] @ Jun 11th 2009 3:55PM
I dont think it will be held unto the next console, according to this
http://kotaku.com/5287069/natal-launch-will-be-as-big-as-360s
Natal is going to be like the relaunch of the 360, prepare for another Halo 3 type of ads, but I have to give it to MS they sure know how to hype and market
Mr Khan @ Jun 11th 2009 3:55PM
They're going to have to sacrifice time, cost effectiveness, or features. We could wind up getting it in 2010 with full features, but at the estimated $200 price tag. We could get it for like $70 in 2010, but severely limited, or we could get it full featured for $70, but not until 2011 or so, by which time it might be too late
That's what i think their options are.
mr nimblewick @ Jun 11th 2009 4:22PM
They should launch with a slimmed-down 360 at a lower price with a different name. The casual audience this is going for is not going to buy something called the "Xbox."
Rumor of Boz @ Jun 11th 2009 6:04PM
Im guessing it may see the light of day on the 360. But rather doubtful since MS is sending 'samples' of their NEXT machine this Winter. So it may be 360 'compatible' and have a couple games but im pretty sure Natal is more for for the Xbox 720.
joeybeast @ Jun 11th 2009 2:56PM
I'll just use the Nintendo wheel when Natal comes out.
MystileArmor @ Jun 11th 2009 3:17PM
You bring up an interesting point though. What keeps you from using a plastic steering wheel? As long as the camera tracks your hands, you'd still be able to hold an actual wheel in your hands. It's exciting to think what doors this could open.
WiredKnight @ Jun 11th 2009 4:06PM
I'm not exactly sure how the tracking works, but I feel like putting a bright white piece of plastic between your hands might affect it. Maybe not, I guess we'll see. If it does you could always paint it black!
joeybeast @ Jun 11th 2009 4:49PM
I'll paint it black if I have to.
CzAr @ Jun 11th 2009 5:01PM
Using the Wii-Wheel eliminates the controller? I mean... all you do is put the Wiimote inside of the wheel. So what is the difference?
Give me a gas pedal over stepping forward and backwards. That's not realism.
Dummy00001 @ Jun 11th 2009 2:56PM
"... but I think I might have actually been better with the Natal than a standard pad."
Anything is better than "standard pad." Because it is mediocre at anything.
Natal is promising, but I'm not holding my breath. People complained that WiiMote demands more space. Natal would require much much more space and well controlled space for video motion recognition to work properly 100% of time.
Ihavepants @ Jun 11th 2009 8:23PM
Yeah and wouldn't an actual steering wheel/gearstick controller still be a whole lot better. You know, actually holding something, force feedback etc.
How exactly do you get into the right gear with Natal?
Saria the Cat @ Jun 11th 2009 2:57PM
You keep fighting the good fight, Justin, for all us sedentaries!
Am I the only one of the opinion that it would feel cooler to actually have a physical wheel-type object in your hands while playing a driving game? I mean, there are obviously other contexts in which you want to be control-free, but in that context, it would feel more realistic to me if I WAS gripping a piece of plastic. I guess MS will release useless, 100% aesthetic Project Natal periphs for people like me, though, like Nintendo did for the Wii Sports gamers.
Sly [PSN SniperChameleon] @ Jun 11th 2009 2:59PM
i was thinking the same thing. something like a wii wheel maybe? just an empty plastic shell. it would probably help a lot.
Markez @ Jun 11th 2009 3:05PM
Yeah, I've voiced a similar opinion a number of times as to why I find Natal unappealing. I like having something in my hands. Sony's wand, or whatever they're calling it, looked really awesome at E3. The only time I want to just jump around without a controller in my hands is with DDR.
As to Archon above, I couldn't disagree more. Driving in Kart/ExciteTruck is an absolute blast, as is whipping stuff around in BoomBlox, not to mention a bunch of the other fun games.
KeenCommander @ Jun 11th 2009 3:07PM
Personally, I'd rather just have a foolish joystick. If I wanted to drive a car, I'd go drive one, racing games are fun for me because you can do things that you can't do in a real car - and I've always found good old fashioned analog better suited to that than a faux wheel.
baby sea tuna @ Jun 11th 2009 3:12PM
You could always hold a frisbee or something if you need a tactile experience.
ronEbear @ Jun 11th 2009 3:13PM
How about just using a DIY cardboard disc? A frozen pizza cardboard base? A dinner plate? A gentleman`s hat?
Just because you hate Microsoft don`t act as if they are the only ones who might, strong emphasis on might, sell useless plastic crap. The Sony`s umd as an example...
Dopple Boppler @ Jun 11th 2009 3:14PM
I agree with you completely; I LIKE having tactile feedback and actually holding on to something. Yes, the Wii Wheel is just a hunk of plastic, but it just felt more fun holding a wheel than the Wiimote by itself.
I'm interested in the possibilities Natal has, but not for this type of application. Too bad they didn't let you guys have a hands on with the virtual tryings-on of dresses while chatting with your girlfriends demo; I'll buy a 360 and Natal for everyone I know just for that sweetness.
Sly [PSN SniperChameleon] @ Jun 11th 2009 3:16PM
keen commander, you have to remember people who are too young to drive (me included...). in my case, i love having the feeling of actually driving since i'm a car fanatic. i just wish i hadn't sold burnout cause i miss it now.
Saria the Cat @ Jun 11th 2009 3:19PM
I sigh at you, ronEbear, I sigh at you. This isn't a fanboy rant.
@Dopple Boppler: Yeah, I think this could have great potential for other cool things (just being able to scroll through NXE with my hand is one) but in certain game contexts, I do want that tactile experience.
Killjebus...PSN Killjebus @ Jun 11th 2009 3:22PM
Having a wheel that does not provide resistance and feedback is no better than a holding air. Until the 1st GT wheel came out, every arcade wheel had no motor in the wheel. Playing a racing game without feeling the road and how the car is gripping it is terrible.
The GT wheels have up to 900 degree rotation and they have built in motors that cause the wheel to fight you just like a real steering wheel does. For example if you are coming up on a turn and turn the wheel, the wheel will want to center itself and it will fight you and the end result is a more realistic immersive experience that allows for more precise control.
I don't think most of you realize that controlling something while holding onto nothing will not equate to a realistic experience.