Wiimote genius Johnny Chung Lee on Project Natal team
by JC Fletcher 
{ Jun 11th 2009 at 4:45PM } 
Lee said that he isn't responsible for anything seen in the E3 demo, however. "The part I am working on has much more to do with making sure this can transition from the E3 stage to your living room - for which there is an even larger team of very smart, very hard working people involved." For once, we can say that Microsoft has made the absolute best move possible. If you're designing a new video game interface that uses a camera or motion tracking of any kind, hire this person.
[Via CNet]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
MRLN @ Jun 11th 2009 4:48PM
I use that guy's Wii interactive whiteboard.
Jeff @ Jun 11th 2009 5:17PM
i have too - pretty slick.
also, Nintendo screwed the pooch by not hiring this guy. Good job MS, seriously good hire.
K1LLER HORNET @ Jun 11th 2009 5:37PM
HERE HE IS: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jd3-eiid-Uw
Excellent Video - Watch It Every1 - It actually looks 3D on your Monitor :)
Spartan @ Jun 11th 2009 6:05PM
Yup, Nintendo sure do know how to opass up some good opportunities.
Great video, seriously people, watch it!
Kael @ Jun 11th 2009 9:33PM
K1LLER HORNET: that video shows the miraculous 3D illusion that's possible with head tracking. Natal separately tracks every part of your body, including your head.
...
Why didn't they demo Modern Warfare 2 in mind-blowing 3D at the E3 press conference?
Ridgecity @ Jun 12th 2009 12:17PM
I'M GLAD THIS GUY GOT HIRED. Maybe it's just a publicity stunt since EA was also going to hire him, and then you did nothing, but this kid gotta deserves the money and needs to be working on interface and motion.
Temidien @ Jun 11th 2009 4:49PM
Anyone else unimpressed with Natal so far?
Ejab @ Jun 11th 2009 4:50PM
pretty much every wii fanboy
Ebichu @ Jun 11th 2009 4:51PM
It looks like it could have potential. I'll give it a chance.
Dirty @ Jun 11th 2009 4:53PM
I think the tech is cool, it just hasn't been shown in a creative and fun way yet. I think Milo was a bad choice to show it off.
Matt @ Jun 11th 2009 4:53PM
I don't think anyone has seen enough of it to have an opinion like that.
Badboy1979 @ Jun 11th 2009 4:57PM
From what I've seen of the concept they're trying to build and the tech involved, I have to say I'm pretty impressed with the idea if it works out in the end. It has LOTs of potential, in my opinion and not just for new gaming experiences. Having one device that can tie in recognizing your voice, tracking your movements, identifying your face, and scanning particular objects is pretty amazing for a consumer focused gadget. If MS, can get it all working together and at a reasonable price, I'll definitely be in line to get it.
Massmass @ Jun 11th 2009 5:05PM
I'm not unimpressed with it. It takes a bit of work to make it actually work as well as it does.
However, I'm less than enthused to actually play it. It just doesn't seem practical enough. Still, it's in its infancy.
BlackDove @ Jun 11th 2009 5:06PM
I'll be interested when they find a practical application for it in games, where it does things better than the ordinary controller.
Till then, they can keep it in the back room not interested.
PedoJokerBear (aka Deeznuts) @ Jun 11th 2009 5:07PM
usually when someone asks that question its so they can make sure public opinion is with them so they dont get downvoted.
anyone else pretty much hate final fantasy?
Mr Khan @ Jun 11th 2009 5:08PM
I like some of what i see, but not all. I'm fascinated by that Kung-Fu demo, especially.
Supino @ Jun 11th 2009 5:11PM
Is this that 'Heros' guy who can timetravel?
LameDuck @ Jun 11th 2009 5:16PM
Me too. I hate the fact that we are one step closer to total immersion into our pastime of choice.
We should go back to NES-NO! Atari paddle controllers. Now THAT was interactivity!
Ignatius @ Jun 11th 2009 5:38PM
Supino, when I glanced at the picture, I thought the same for a second. It's not him though.
ill trooper @ Jun 11th 2009 7:09PM
I have mixed feelings... I think there's immense potential, but I wonder about playing a game like Gears of War or Call of Duty. I also wonder if we'll enter a new age of gaming where the actually physical capabilities of the player will affect game play, as I have seen some gamers that look like they'd be winded and need a break after playing a game like the Natal demo on Fallon last night.
I see the Sony solution being more of hardcore gamer's solution, because while the Natal system can surely use a controller as well, it seems to lag behind a little, unlike the Sony system which was razor sharp, and based on how it works, keeps a controller/buttons in the gamer's hands at all times.
Oddly, for all the excitement generated, I feel like MS might be the least accurate 1:1 system after the Sony system and even the Wii with MotionPlus, which I read is quite accurate on Tiger Woods.
Eh, who gives a f#cK, I buy 'em all anyway, so it doesn't matter I guess.
lanceyami03 @ Jun 15th 2009 9:37PM
I'd like to see real games on it other than minigames. Its because of those same minigames that the wii lacks substance. I'm kinda excited about Project Milo, too. I'd love to see that kind of interaction with characters in Fable. Who knows....Peter Molyneux might implement the idea into the next Fable =D.
Storm Eagle @ Jun 11th 2009 4:51PM
+1 Hope.
His interface is pretty amazing. If anyone can make the Natal easy to use, he can.
NoughtSoClever @ Jun 11th 2009 5:17PM
Yeah. Natal just got an increase in credibility with me.
Eh @ Jun 11th 2009 5:52PM
Because he uploaded some videos to youtube of his work? Just because he goes public with his ideas doesnt mean there hasnt been smarter and more experienced people working on Natal or the competition.
Danthok @ Jun 11th 2009 4:51PM
I knew as soon as I saw this guy's Wii hacks that it was only a matter of time before he got snatched up. I wonder if his videos are still in circulation or if Microsoft seized them as IP.
Crono (NDF - Knight of the Old School) @ Jun 11th 2009 9:46PM
Anything he did before joining microsoft (or any company) is his "IP", or the IP of the company he was working in conjunction with at the time.
Just because you work for someone, doesn't mean they suddenly any and every relevant idea you've ever had.
Danthok @ Jun 15th 2009 2:12PM
Of course! I know this, but Microsoft has done worse before and has a lot of high priced lawyers to prove it. I just hope for his sake he read the fine print.
j.howlett @ Jun 11th 2009 4:52PM
i was just wondering what this guy was up to
pibs @ Jun 11th 2009 5:12PM
This guy kinda eerily reminds me of Tokita from Paprika.
gordo @ Jun 11th 2009 4:58PM
Why didn't the big N grab him? They could regret that.
Martin @ Jun 11th 2009 5:06PM
This could be the next Playstation CD-ROM add on that brings about Nintendo's second fall from grace.
Oh shit.
Massmass @ Jun 11th 2009 5:06PM
Who's to say they or Sony didn't try? That'd be a wet dream having all three companies fighting for your employment.
NaeemTHM @ Jun 11th 2009 5:26PM
"This could be the next Playstation CD-ROM add on that brings about Nintendo's second fall from grace."
...into money.
Tep @ Jun 11th 2009 6:18PM
What do you mean could? They WILL regret this one.
D_Average @ Jun 11th 2009 6:41PM
Whats funny is Johnny Lee was a former superhero to Wii Fanboy's. Watch in amazement as they all declare he's a twat now.
ill trooper @ Jun 11th 2009 7:58PM
Yeah man, this guy always came off as someone who really gets it, on both the technical side and the "wow that could be fun" side. Nice catch MS, and congrats to Johnny Chung Lee.
It's a cool time where someone who really loves what they work on, someone who really loves their hobby, can put what they do out there on YouTube or the internet and garner attention from the companies, etc. who need them.
Killjebus...PSN Killjebus @ Jun 11th 2009 4:59PM
Just getting this now Joystiq? This was reported DAYS ago. So quick with the news as usual.
Kevin949 @ Jun 11th 2009 5:01PM
"Here's an interesting piece of E3 news we missed due to being at E3"
Huh...
NaeemTHM @ Jun 11th 2009 5:01PM
I know right! How dare they deliver video game news a week late!!!! It's almost like they have lives or something.
Kevin949 @ Jun 11th 2009 5:02PM
+ imagine that, they said it right there in their first sentence.
Dr. @ Jun 11th 2009 5:02PM
And I'm happy it got posted here because this is the first I've heard about it. In conclusion, go away.
Hopper @ Jun 11th 2009 5:02PM
I never reduce myself to name calling but...
You sir, are a DICK.
Wizzleteets @ Jun 11th 2009 5:12PM
Why come back time and time again if the site isn't meeting your needs?
NoughtSoClever @ Jun 11th 2009 5:18PM
Right. You should just leave.
Chad Vanderbilt (Moptimus in Disguise) @ Jun 11th 2009 5:23PM
then how are we going to know how much of an atheist rebel he is?
http://images.encyclopediadramatica.com/images/b/b0/Fight_the_power.jpg
Look At This Suit @ Jun 11th 2009 5:53PM
If this is the only negative thing Killjebus could say about this article given his recent anti-Natal wankfest, we're in good shape.
tcc3 @ Jun 11th 2009 6:34PM
The complainers should go make their own video game website! With floosies and gambling! In fact, forget the website!
The Dark Wayne @ Jun 11th 2009 8:56PM
there is much win in you tcc3
? @ Jun 15th 2009 3:18AM
the think with Milo is . He will never give you fucking drama! lol..
Badboy1979 @ Jun 11th 2009 5:01PM
With respect to both Sony and Nintendo devices (I enjoy them both), I think the software that these guys are developing and tieing into the camera device itself (it has it's on processor I believe) is what is going to set Natal apart as a unique experience on its own.
A quote from his blog:
"The human tracking algorithms that the teams have developed are well ahead of the state of the art in computer vision in this domain. The sophistication and performance of the algorithms rival or exceed anything that I've seen in academic research, never mind a consumer product. At times, working on this project has felt like a miniature “Manhattan project” with developers and researchers from around the world coming together to make this happen."
I, for one, think that this is innovation at work. Bravo, MS if it all works out as planned.