Rumor: Natal part of new Xbox console, due Fall 2010

by Christopher Grant on Jun 13th 2009 8:59AM

Remember when Shane Kim acknowledged that the Project Natal launch would be more like a console launch than a simple peripheral launch, saying, "Conceptually, the launch of Natal will be like the launch of Xbox 360"? Well, 1UP is reporting that, if its sources are correct, the Natal launch will be a new console launch! "Microsoft will not only release Natal as an add-on for the Xbox 360, it will come standard with the next Xbox console," 1UP writes. "Yes, there will be a new Xbox console next fall."

Lest you think this is going to be a simple bundle, Natal camera included, 1UP "heard it will be considered a new platform and carry a new name (Xbox Natal?)." Suddenly, we're reminded of the rumored Valhalla chipset, which would combine the 65nm CPU and 65nm GPU into one superchip, with reduced cooling and power demands. With that, Microsoft could make a smaller – more Wii-esque if you will – Xbox console, perfect for the mainstream consumer.

Incidentally, that chipset is expected sometime around 2010 which is precisely when 1UP pegs the new console's launch: "sources point to next year's Game Developer's Conference as the target for its unveiling and Fall 2010 as the target for release." So, a slightly upgraded Xbox 360 coupled with the Natal camera, targeted towards your parents? Just because we're leaving the speculation there, doesn't mean you have to. Sound off in the comments!

Project Natal

Source

Tags: Microsoft, Project-Natal, Rumor, Xbox-360, Xbox-Natal

Reader Comments (185)

FALL 2010 means SPRING 2011 LOOLOLOL.

Can has NTFS? Hell I'd buy a new 360 just for that feature alone. Screw Natal. I want a 4TB RAIDed HD on my 360 for all the DVD's I've ripped. (and owned BTW.)

Holiday 2010 for natal.

just a guess, but fingers crossed.

Also, if there even is a new console. It probably will be something along the lines of a slim-lined xbox or something to that degree. Nothing new just with a few new tweaks in hardware.

and again just a guess...
see you at e3 bingo next year.

Apparently they're a bit more relevant than that, considering that the whole industry is shifting around them

Relevance is decided by people who are, you know, important

Yeah, this reminds me a lot of the DS Lite > DSi transition. Of course, I don't own nor want a DSi, so...

Exactly.

Im all in for a new 360 SKU. I hope they get rid of the disk tray, use a bigger hard drive ,and maybe a built in network adapter.I just hope they will offer a unit without the natal crap.

No I cants handle a new console Im spending all my money on ODST and Overlord 2 and Assasinscreed 2 ya spelled that wrong but also Modern Warfare 2 so I dont have the money for a new console unless its like twenty five cense uhh i spelled it wrong.

Hmm I think we need clarification from Microsoft on this.

From the comments you can see there are quite a lot of opinions of what this might be.

It's obvious they are going to shrink down the GPU and CPU to save money but this has got me thinking about whether they are doing a redesign kind of like the Playstation 3 slim rumours then throw in the Natal peripheral and keep the price the same. I doubt they will increase the price but a camera with multiple lenses can't be cheap.

A premier 360 with Natal included and also sold as a peripheral like they do with the Core SKU. Maybe a new super premium system with a 120GB HDD and Natal for a premium price?

Looking at the hard drives I don't even want to imagine how much of a mark up Natal will be. Cameras with 2 lenses already exist for 3D and due to a lot more technology going into them they are not cheap in any sense of the word.

microsoft will just keep messing up their xbox 360

I think that it will be a new SKU with Natal bundled. If they can make the hardware cheaper then they can sell the 360 with Natal bundled free. They can sell the camera then at a subsidized cost to older users.
Frankly, I want them to upgrade asap. I want to be able to play Crysis with everything set to high on my TV. IF they release it next year, then I will probably wait for two more years max or till they put out a new console to upgrade. Meanwhile, wishing they sell Natal separately so I can buy it for my current console. I see myself upgrading in 2012 and I will be buying anything they release that year.

You know the rumor originated from another blog, which reported system specs, also

32MB of Shader Memory, 1 GB of system RAM, and a 6-core CPU, though clocked at a similar speed. Something else.

Source link?

xbox natal is just two 360's duct taped together......its fun to watch the 360 guys squirm on this one. going the nintendo route eh? after all those years of MS guys making fun of nintendo; isn't it ironic? if you can't beat em, just join em. that's what they say. and that's what MS is going to do, whether you like it or not. the fan base will be split for sure.

Sony is also doing it. With that said i dont care much for natal. I'd saymost of us just want a new slim SKU with a fixed D-pad.

Pretty much everything both companies have done recently turns me more and more toward sony. This just continues the trend...

Blah Blah to Natal. MS needs to fix the 360 d- pad already...

Remember when Microsoft said something like this at E3: "And so now, you've seen Project Natal, an new, innovative gaming experience, ALL WITHOUT HAVING TO CREATE A NEW CONSOLE".

To me, it sounds unlikely that they would state this at E3, and then go back on their word and do the exact opposite of what they said at the biggest gaming conference in the world. They specifically said that this would be on Xbox 360, so why would they say "Nope, never mind, lets make a new console", and confuse everyone and screw everything up, Highly doubtful that Microsoft would do this.

Right – to me, a new (possibly rebranded) SKU makes a lot more sense than even a slightly upgraded Xbox.

I tend to wait until the slim-models of consoles before I buy. I anticipated the DS-lite based on Nintendo's hardware refresh patterns so I would not buy fugly DS phat. After the original XBOX I really thought that Microsoft would make a slim console but when they didn't I thought that I'd hold out for the 360 slim.

I bought a PS3 after the 2nd price drop as it was actually pretty cheap in Japan last year due to FX. I could wait for the 360 slim. I really really want a 360 now but I really do not have space for another console near my TV.

It looks like my four year wait will come to an end next year and I'll have the benefit of a huge library of cheap classic titles.

I am not a 360 hater. I love this generation of consoles. I just have a limited amount of space in my tiny living room. I want all three consoles next to my TV but PS3/360 are just too damn big right now.

I played Gears of War on my friends 360 and that was also a great game. Left 4 Dead 1/2 look so much fun, Halo 3 looks great, and Natal itself looks like it can wipe child face cancer off the planet, once and for all. I love Microsoft and I long for a 360 each and every day in the shower (even though I bought a PS3).

I love Natal, but I seriously hope they don't abandon classic gaming. Only some games should use Natal. What they do is give players the option to choose if they want to use Natal or go classic in a certain game. This might make development longer, but it would be worth it.

Allow me, if you will to stray from the direct subject here and list some issues that MS has with the 360 and competition that could use some outside speculation from the readers here:

Xbox 360 is, by today's standards outdated. :
-It does not use standard HDMI technology,
-It only reads DVD (which, though technically still modern, is a point of concern for a leading company)
- their game controllers are very outdated (50$ for a controller that is not rechargeable, has very poor wireless communication with the xbox, and is surprisingly fragile)
- It lacks standard multimedia features (where are you at, web browser and keyboard support?) ((xbox 360's name comes from the fact that it meets the full range of media i.e. a circle, or 360.))
-company is headed in wrong direction to meet with competition (netflix vs. PSN movies, Natal vs. wii, AVATARS?!)

The reason that the PS3 has a lot more potential, particularly in the lifespan category, is that Sony had a more focused plan, and they haven't really strayed in order to "catch up" to anyone. From the beginning they used quality parts and innovative technology, and although it took longer for their sales to pick up, naturally the technology has become more inexpensive and way more popular.

People expect MS to fix the failure rates immediately, like Sony did. People expect MS to implement bluray and blueooth. People expect firmware patches that add content like a web browser, add a photo viewing tool, or fix big problems like party disconnections and xbox live crashes. People want to buy a wireless controller that has a reasonable battery life and is rechargeable, instead of having to buy a play and charge and battery packs every 4 months when they become useless.

Why does microsoft copy their competition's strategies instead of distinct, obvious thing that other companies have done correct?

Because they need to fire everyone on their marketing team.

I disagree with about 99% of what you've written (really? You think Sony's marketing is solid while Microsoft's isn't? If marketing is representative of a company's ability to sell its product, both software and hardware sales would GREATLY disagree with you).

But I mostly wanted to disagree with the controller complaint.
"- their game controllers are very outdated (50$ for a controller that is not rechargeable, has very poor wireless communication with the xbox, and is surprisingly fragile)"

Compared to what here? The DS3 is $55 MSRP, going for $50 on Amazon. The Xbox 360 controller is $50 MSRP, going for $30 on Amazon. The Wiimote is $40 MSRP going for $35 on Amazon; the Nunchuck is $20, going for $18 on Amazon. What I'm saying here is that the Xbox 360 controller is not only the cheapest in terms of MSRP but also in terms of actual shelf pricing, so not sure where price is a concern for you.

Not rechargeable? Neither is the Wiimote and that hasn't stopped the thing from selling like crazy. And I FAR prefer replaceable batteries to a built-in battery (like in the Sixaxis). Use cheap NiMH AA batteries – they last much longer than the play & charge kit, you can have backups, and they're easily recyclable if and when they stop holding a charge (I still use my set of 2500mah AAs from the 2005 launch).

Poor wireless communication? First I've ever heard about it, and I've been covering the console for almost four years. A handful of controllers had a sync issue maybe ... 3 years ago? Something like that? If this was some kind of endemic issue with the hardware, we would've covered that pretty closely (see: RRoD, E74).

Surprisingly fragile? Again, this is the first time I've ever heard this complaint. It makes me wonder if you're using the same Xbox 360 controller I am. And, if so, what on Earth are you doing with it?!

Lengthy reply: done. Sorry, just disagreed with so much of what you wrote, in particular the controller rant. But wanted to reply since your original comment wasn't "OMG THE XBOX $UCK$" :-P

I own PS3/360/wii, btw, just to assure everyone I'm not a hater. But I can honestly say I only have a 360 because most of my friend's play xbox live. It really isn't a quality console by comparison.

im not sure why people are complaining about this. if you dont want one, dont buy one. purchases, or lack therof, make more of a statement to microsoft than posting comments. if the rumor ends up being true, just stick with what you already have, or buy a ps3. its that simple.

The word "Natal" makes me think of Nutella.

Am I the only one?

_____________________________
JaseH.

@Dilly

Sorry man, but I have to disagree. I mean, the Xbox 360 is outdated? I don't mean to sound like a total jerk, but that's bull crap. Just because 360 doesn't support Blu-Ray, does not mean that it doesn't have HD. 360 is still compatible with HDTVs, and it looks fantastic. What you have to remember is that the 360, along with PS3 and Wii, delivers an engaging and wonderful experience. And since when do the controllers have poor wireless communication? I'll admit, the battery life is awful, but the communication, in my opionion, is great.

Guys, I don't want to sound like an annoying Microsoft fanboy, but seriousy, lets cut the crap. Stop criticzing the platform that gave you Halo, Gears of War, and so many other amazing titles.

Maybe I'm out of line here, but shouldn't it white, like the console itself? Just saying: aesthetics.

Too early for a next gen all new machine. If they release that next year Sony will release the PS4 in a few years retaking the lead in the console war. MS will be left with inferior tech. Even so, does the technology exist to have a next gen machine? Direct x 12 isnt even out yet is it?

Trouble is, a new sku isnt appealing either as youre splitting your audience into the haves and have nots.

Microsoft should have sat on this for a while. Slim 360 next fall and a brand new console in late 2012. Now theyve blabbed everyone cant wait.

But Natal isn't the final name of the Camera, its just called Project Natal, like the Wii was called Revolution and the N64 was Dolphin.
The final name will probably be wildly different, even if we all get used to it (Like the way we all got used to calling the Wii "revolution" until they called it "Wii")
Why are we even thinking this will be a new SKU anyway? It might just be the current SKU's Plus the Camera on top or given away by retailers with console sales.

My guess is that if a "new" console comes out then it will be more akin to a 360-slim or something. It will play the same games as the current 360 but will have some minor differences and a less "hardcore" type name. This is all an image thing. Microsoft has penetrate the hardcore gamer market and now they want to get into the casual market. "Arcade" simply was not enough. They want a Wii-like periphreal and Wii-like console with a Wii-like name.

Meh. That camera does look pretty cool though.

@ Oorang

I agree. Although I think 360 is far from inferior to that of the PS3, Sony could pull a fast one and release some revolutionary technology that would be superior than that of Microsoft's. That being said, the next Xbox console would be looked upon as being boring and nothing new, which should not happen. Microsoft needs to wait a while, like you said Oorang. Because of they keep coming out with consoles a year ahead Nintendo and Sony, they'll be screwed.

And really, they don't need to create a new console anyway. Xbox 360 is a powerful machine, that can keep on being built upon. If they use Natal for 360, this could increase sales dramatically, and if they use it for a totally new console, then they have to start from scratch. And then, if Nintendo and Sony wait a year after to release their consoles, they would have a brief opportunity to study the technology used for Natal, and they could create a better version of that. Thus, Nintendo could possibly be the lead in the market once again, and Sony could step over Microsoft and go into second place with sales. Or maybe, Sony could even take the lead this time around.

A lot of this has to do with which company acts first, and whose technology is superior. But the most important factor is which company has the most creative, innovative, and imaginative system.

If they actually make a major upgrade to the hardware upon the release of Natal, it would be a huge disservice to the people they were talking to at E3. They were promising to have Natal for every Xbox (current and TBA). I truly hope that I would be able to get everything out of Natal on my 360 Elite. It's only right since I have had to send it back 5 &@%#ing times since I bought it bc of RROD.

A Wii 360 sounds stupid I sold my Wii for a 360 now they want to combined them.

Previous 50 Comments

Rumor: Natal part of new Xbox console, due Fall 2010

Project Natal

Reader Comments (185)

Posted: Jun 13th 2009 2:14PM J43 said

Posted: Jun 13th 2009 2:38PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Jun 13th 2009 2:49PM b00mfargl3 said

Posted: Jun 13th 2009 2:52PM b00mfargl3 said

Posted: Jun 13th 2009 3:09PM Mr Khan said

Posted: Jun 13th 2009 3:13PM Trojan said

Posted: Jun 13th 2009 5:17PM Jacksons said

Posted: Jun 13th 2009 3:53PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Jun 13th 2009 5:06PM Horsebug24 said

Posted: Jun 13th 2009 6:17PM Kratos said

Posted: Jun 13th 2009 6:19PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Jun 13th 2009 7:58PM arnavdesai said

Posted: Jun 13th 2009 8:11PM Mr Khan said

Posted: Jun 14th 2009 9:43AM chrisgrant said

Posted: Jun 13th 2009 9:09PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Jun 13th 2009 11:33PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Jun 13th 2009 10:36PM mietha said

Posted: Jun 13th 2009 10:56PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Jun 13th 2009 11:42PM Shadowbender said

Posted: Jun 14th 2009 9:44AM chrisgrant said

Posted: Jun 13th 2009 11:47PM takapa said

Posted: Jun 14th 2009 12:13AM Shadowbender said

Posted: Jun 14th 2009 1:21AM (Unverified) said

Posted: Jun 14th 2009 9:55AM chrisgrant said

Posted: Jun 14th 2009 1:25AM (Unverified) said

Posted: Jun 14th 2009 10:34AM (Unverified) said

Posted: Jun 14th 2009 11:39AM JaseH said

Posted: Jun 14th 2009 12:42PM Shadowbender said

Posted: Jun 14th 2009 2:31PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Jun 15th 2009 4:57AM (Unverified) said

Posted: Jun 15th 2009 6:08AM Shadowm4nX said

Posted: Jun 15th 2009 11:53AM sand0789 said

Posted: Jun 15th 2009 1:13PM Shadowbender said

Posted: Jun 15th 2009 6:40PM jhairumeee said

Posted: Jun 28th 2009 5:32PM (Unverified) said

Info

Description

MSRP

Release Date

Genre

Developer

Publisher

Rating

Breaking News

WB conjures up Harry Potter for Kinect this fall

Featured Stories

Weekly Webcomic Wrapup is a stranger in a strange land

Silver Lining: I Am Alive's unfeeling world

Game Of Thrones and the paradoxes of adaptation

Engadget

TUAW

Massively

WoW