THQ has had Project Natal 'for some time'

by David Hinkle { Jun 26th 2009 at 4:45PM }

With Microsoft revealing Project Natal earlier this month, we've seen some of the things Microsoft and its studios are doing with the peripheral (not to mention the talent enlisted), but what about third parties? We know of at least one developer who has had Natal, and that's THQ. CEO Brian Farrell reveals (via G4) that his company has "had kits for some time," somewhere around "4, 6 weeks, however long they've been available."

While not confirming any projects yet, Farrell did say that top men (top men) in his company have been checking out Natal and brainstorming.

Tags: brian-farrell, project-natal, thq

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Storm Eagle @ Jun 26th 2009 4:48PM

LOL @ "Top Men".

Both for it's reference and the joke that anyone working at THQ could be considered a "Top Man".

Professor Lario @ Jun 26th 2009 5:14PM

Now really... are there any other kind? I know I'm 'top.'

Lazy Eye @ Jun 26th 2009 4:50PM

Anyone care that THQ has had the kit for sometime?..

Nope, me neither.

Expect Spongebob the NATAL edition - that's a given!

Rhamsey @ Jun 26th 2009 4:51PM

this is great news, as it means it farther along than previously thought. just hope that we can get some great 3rd party games, instead of having to rely on mostly microsoft game studios and others it has bought over the years to do something.

Hyams @ Jun 26th 2009 5:04PM

Because 3rd parties have done such a stellar job with the Wii remote?

All the worthwhile Natal and Swaggle games are gonna come Microsoft and Sony.

Mr Khan @ Jun 26th 2009 5:28PM

It's THQ. One of the chief perpetrators of licensed shovelware on the Wii, and also one of the companies that focuses on core and casual gaming as two completely separate entities, especially given their recent restructuring.

Nothing good will come of this from them. Look rather to EA, and yes, even to Ubisoft, if you want to see hope for good utilization of Natal

AustinAM @ Jun 26th 2009 5:25PM

If this had been about the PlayStation motion controller, Hinkle probably would've included a snide remark about it or even something off-topic and PlayStation related. He just can't resist (there's a reason he's on Xbox FANCAST)...

Try to be more professional, Hinkle.

Mr Khan @ Jun 26th 2009 5:29PM

This attempt at a troll makes no sense whatsoever. It's condemning him for a crime he hasn't committed about an article that doesn't exist

DaveMcRae the Haiku Artist @ Jun 26th 2009 5:42PM

So he's a good Troll in a way.

AustinAM @ Jun 26th 2009 5:48PM

True, it is off-topic, but almost every one of Hinkle's PlayStation posts includes a fanboy remark. I notice, however, that no Xbox article that he writes has these things. I'm just getting tired of it.

Girugamuk (Moptimus Slimed) @ Jun 26th 2009 6:27PM

paranoid troll is paranoid

deaftly @ Jun 26th 2009 7:47PM

AustinAM stick to sonydefenceforce.com

DaveMcRae the Haiku Artist @ Jun 26th 2009 5:40PM

I just can't see "real" games being controlled by Natal. How will you make your character run/roll/jump? Hopefully not by moving your legs in front of the TV. I play games to relax, not to work out.
I love the concept, but I don't see it working with more than casual minigames.

Hyams @ Jun 26th 2009 5:46PM

That's not a haiku;
you disappoint, Dave McRae
the Haiku Artist.

DaveMcRae the Haiku Artist @ Jun 26th 2009 5:51PM

I also like to
give detailed commentary
but Kudos to you

Hyams @ Jun 26th 2009 5:57PM

Also, I agree with you. I don't see much use for Natal's 'controller-less gaming' outside of mini-games.

Combined with a controller, it could work much better, with certain movements (such as letting go of the controller with one hand to mime the throwing of a grenade) and/or voice commands affecting the gameplay. Problem is, then it's no better than the PS3's Swaggle, which could do that too.

deanb @ Jun 26th 2009 6:10PM

The reason we don't have any idea on how we can actually use Natal for proper gaming is becuase none of us have played Ubisofts "Imagine :Motion control gaming"

Dave @ Jun 26th 2009 6:23PM

Imagine using the controller to run around, your character ducks behind a wall, and Natal head-tracking lets you peek around the corner and fire. And you wouldn't even have to get off the couch.

DaveMcRae the Haiku Artist @ Jun 26th 2009 6:28PM

That is a good example, thank you!

Rumor of Boz @ Jun 26th 2009 6:29PM

@ Dave - You turn your head and you a no longer looking at the screen =( Im sure there are a lot of really cool implementations for Natal....its just most have not been thought of yet. Well at least outside MS and lion head. Im sure we will see some awesome tech demos and actual Natal supported games that are far enough along to show off a demo.

Rumor of Boz @ Jun 26th 2009 6:32PM

Meant to say @ E3 next year we will see them.

Hyams @ Jun 26th 2009 6:32PM

"and Natal head-tracking lets you peek around the corner and fire."

Someone already created a mod for Half Life 2 on the PC to do that with a standard webcam. Looky: http://www.pushingplay.com/2009/06/22/halflife-2-head-tracking-faceapi-awesome/ (in particular, from around the 1.40 min mark)

ucnyc2 @ Jun 26th 2009 5:48PM

THQ commercial now u and ur buddies can hv that ultimate wrestlemania match

Jeremy @ Jun 26th 2009 6:15PM

yeah, it really looks like a glorified Eye Toy.

whylekat @ Jun 26th 2009 6:26PM

This isn't really news.. My friend is a developer and he said that a lot of studios had it for a while.

Chris D.(PSN: Aggie_CEO | XBL:The Aggie CEO | Steam: Aggie_CEO @ Jun 26th 2009 6:33PM

So do we get to play Smackdown v. Raw 2011 by ACTUALLY Wrestling in our living rooms!?!?!?

deanb @ Jun 26th 2009 7:08PM

You don't have that ability now?

Neuromancer @ Jun 26th 2009 6:53PM

Red Faction's sledgehammer would be awesome with Natal.

Vcize @ Jun 26th 2009 9:42PM

What I don't understand is how this comment isn't blue yet.

rruss79 @ Jun 26th 2009 7:52PM

@Hyams
Thats a great catch and I must say, I hope to see this implemented within a game soon. From the video, it appears that you do not have to have anything more than just a normal camera in order to do any of the face and head tracking. I wonder how much software and hardware overhead this will take up on both Sony and MS solution

nbdy @ Jun 26th 2009 11:19PM

Conversation between three of the top guys at THQ-

Guy #1 "Wow the natal sure is some Interesting tech"

Guy #2 "It really is something, I would love to do a fps using only the Natal"

Guy #3 "umm... Is that posible?"

Guy #2 "Sure it is! They can lean to peak around the corner and turning there heads would actually change where the camera is pointed."

Guy #1 "We would have to adjust the sensitivity so the player can keep his eyes on the screen, but It sounds like a great Idea."

Guy #3 "Sounds cool but how would the player move around?"

Guy #2 "Your right, the player movement is limited without a controller"

Guy #1 "We're getting ahead of ourselves, we should start of with something simple like a platformer"

Guy #3 "How would you move?"

Guy #1 "Oh yeah..."

3 hours later

Guy #1 "Come on!! I know at least one of us has a good idea how to use the natal in a proper game!"

Guy #2 *jumps out of his chair* "I've got it!! we could use it for pokemon. We would imitate throwing the pokeball and shot the commands ourself. With the right pitch, I'm sure microsoft would let us publish it!"

Guy #3 "That would be a great Idea If it wasn't for the fact that it's licensed by NINTENDO!!!"

Guy#2 :(

Guy #1 "Well I'm still on board for a racing game, cars and juiced weren't that bad..."

Guy #3 "You're right. They weren't that bad, They were fucking horrible, just like the natal. I've had it with this! I'm going home!" *leaves the room*

Guy #1 "Fine! we don't need you! we will create a great game all by ourselves, Isn't that right Jim?"

*Guy #1 sees Guy #2 crying in the corner*

Guy #1 "This is pathetic... WAIT! I've got it! Why didn't I see this before? Its so simple, we could create a game where-"

To be continued Spring 2010

keep in mind that this is exaggerated and not my actual feelings....