Rumor: Project Natal launch details leaked

by JC Fletcher { Nov 11th 2009 at 9:40AM }

MCV reports that Microsoft has been showing Project Natal off to UK publishers this week, and filling them in on the launch plan. According to the site's unnamed sources, Microsoft plans to release the peripheral in November 2010, at a sub-£50 ($84) price point that could go as low as £30 ($50) when sold by itself. That price happens to match the price predicted by Michael Pachter last month.

MCV's sources say that Microsoft will have 5 million cameras ready for launch, with a "great launch line-up" of 14 games. While a November launch of a major video game item seems plausible even in a year overloaded with spring releases, this information remains unverified and, therefore, suspect. And we're tempted to say that the price is too good to be true. If it does turn out to be $50, our expression of delight may be the first thing the fancy camera sees.

Tags: microsoft, project-natal, rumor, uk

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Bobby Kotick @ Nov 11th 2009 9:47AM

A rumor is still something. This is the first Natal news I remember hearing since they showed how perfect it was back at E3. Of course, I can't say I'd actually buy this kind of thing. When I want to play games to get away from stress, I don't exactly feel like waving my arms around in front of the TV.

SpyderTaco (PSN: Ar4chNova89) @ Nov 11th 2009 9:50AM

...God damn your avatar.

And you're right. But Natal is not for you. It is not for any gamer. It is simply another way to market the Xbox360 to non-gamers (aka. Wii Market).

How many gamers do you see giving a sh*t about the avatars on Xbox360?
Exactly. Thanks, Nintendo.

Mr Khan @ Nov 11th 2009 9:57AM

In this case, Microsoft has more clearly drawn the line, explicitly tying their motion device in with the blue-ocean gaming image, to the point where it's mostly inapplicable towards anything else

Natal could improve, of course, like all technology. But i don't think Microsoft will have a real winner on their hands unless they can smoothly integrate the Natal experience with everything else they've got going. When you try to clearly split your market thus, you really don't get anywhere

Unless they relaunch the whole thing with Natal there from day one.

uncle jesse @ Nov 11th 2009 10:22AM

Actually Spyder, more people care about their useless avatars then you might think. Look at all the people that actually pay for new shirts, hats, and toys for their little counterparts. Avatars are now commonplace and will be on every console going forward, I guarantee it. And that's the same guarantee the Men's Warehouse gives so you know it's solid.

SpyderTaco (PSN: Ar4chNova89) @ Nov 11th 2009 11:10AM

So it's not OK to rip on the Xbox360 avatars, but it's completely justified to rip on PlayStation Home. Make up your minds.

Captain Planet [Planeteer | Power of Captain Planet] @ Nov 11th 2009 11:12AM

Wii = non-gamers?

WTF? Care to elaborate?

Space @ Nov 11th 2009 12:06PM

I jsut wonder if they are going to call this Xbox EyeToy or are they going to go ahead with Natal.

J [Planeteer | Power of Being a Douche and Accepting It] @ Nov 11th 2009 12:06PM

I'm a gamer and I bought a light saber for my Avatar.. granted, I was inebriated and that was really the only reason, but I did buy one nonetheless...

WINterfang ( Now with the power to piss you off ) @ Nov 11th 2009 12:18PM

"So it's not OK to rip on the Xbox360 avatars, but it's completely justified to rip on PlayStation Home."

You can't even compared the two, Avatars didn't promise to revolutionize or make you buy a 360 like Home did with the PS3, Avatars are unoffensive, home is just a mess.

Dodgy @ Nov 11th 2009 1:36PM

Spyder doesnt deserve all this aggression. He's got the right idea, just a very negative view.

It is just a way to expand their market into Nintendo's audience, which isnt made up of loyal console gamers (they all own 360's) - instead they have targeted (& nintendo have said this many times) people of ALL ages to introduce them to gaming through the Wii & DS.

Whilst Natal is more advance than the ps2 eyetoy, im sure we're all skeptical about what these 14games are going to be & my bet is that 90% of them are family orientated and less aimed at the "hardcore" audience unlike Sony's approach of bringing games like RE5 to their new motion controls.

Space @ Nov 11th 2009 7:44PM

but you can ignore Home as I chose to do. you are forced to have an avatar on 360.

MaxPower @ Nov 11th 2009 9:49AM

Hmm, Microsoft selling an accessory at a reasonable price? I'm skeptical.

ducttapeBigSexy (PSN&XBL: ducttape12) @ Nov 11th 2009 9:51AM

Especially considering that's what Patcher predicted, too.

Orion @ Nov 11th 2009 9:57AM

Yea.. this would be cheaper than their wi-fi adapter? That makes no sense...

bongoes Sector 2814 @ Nov 11th 2009 9:59AM

Yeah, $50 is WAY too low to for me to believe.

MaxPower @ Nov 11th 2009 9:59AM

I try to ignore anything analysts say, they're sort of like statistical buckshot. Sure they're mostly wrong, but they're bound to occasionally get something right so they still get to eat/get paid.

Besides any pricing information a year out is just pure speculation since Natal pricing will likely depend on the Sony motion controller pricing and success.

fffunfarm06 @ Nov 11th 2009 10:11AM

its just a camera guys. probably a shitty ass camera with some killer motion tracking software built in.

Sandmonkey @ Nov 11th 2009 10:22AM

We can all change!
Leave Microsoft Alone!
She's a HUMAN!!!!!!

Petebot330 @ Nov 11th 2009 10:55AM

Although....maybe it's a bait and switch...like they want to get it into your house and then you'll feel like you need to buy hundreds of shovelware games to justify your purchase...

those scheming dirty bastards!

The Good Soldier Svejk @ Nov 11th 2009 11:51AM

Why is it so hard to believe? Microsoft needs the price as low as possible to maximise sales. It's the same principle as a console launch, take a hit on the hardware to build an install base and recoup on the software.

This does not apply to wi-fi adapters, controllers, proprietary HDMI cables etc. because there is no residual income from them, Microsoft doesn't really give a shit if you want to use a wireless connection but if you do they want a tidy little profit from you. Microsoft does give a shit about getting 10 million Natal units sold as quickly as they can so they will sell it at a loss if need be.

eNrique @ Nov 11th 2009 12:08PM

Yeah, considering the live vision camera is 40 bucks, I really doubt natal would come at a low price.

evenkots @ Nov 11th 2009 1:06PM

You guys seem to be forgetting that Microsoft is treating Natal as a "console launch". They are probably willing to sell these at a loss to get them into as many homes as possible. If nobody buys them, then the entire thing is a failure. So I actually thing $50 is plausible.

guttertalk @ Nov 11th 2009 1:24PM

1 wireless-N adapter: $100

1 Natal w/14 games: $80

This is a combination of MS selling something at a loss to gain traction and screwing us.

At $80, this well might net them the traction they need.

magicianoffear @ Nov 11th 2009 9:53AM

I still dont get who this is targeting, the 360 user base is not going to support this and the Wii's non-gaming owners already have a system. The camera doesn't do anything to make the console more impressive, heck we dont even know if it actually works outside of MS test booths. I have had a 360 since launch and if this doesn't appeal to me then exactly who are you selling this to? I realize MS wants to cash in on the new to gaming people out there but the 360 is not a console that can do that, it just doesnt have the right image from a marketing standpoint, and I hope MS doesnt plan on changing the consoles image because I would hate to see the 360 turn into the Wii.

SpyderTaco (PSN: Ar4chNova89) @ Nov 11th 2009 9:59AM

NXE turned the 360 into the Wii (software).
Project Natal will turn the 360 into the Wii (hardware).

Fable III is using it. It's only a matter of time until they pressure
other studios to do the same. I can see someone like CliffyB getting
annoyed by something like this to the point where he jumps back into
PC development.

CliffyB is going to join forces with Gabe Newell. Every old-school PC
gamers mind will be blown. Heard it here first.

LegendaryRedass @ Nov 11th 2009 9:59AM

It's a way to move 360s, as someone pointed out earlier. I'm skeptical, but if I see something looks cool, I'm willing to try it.

Jack Tretton @ Nov 11th 2009 10:22AM

"I have had a 360 since launch and if this doesn't appeal to me then exactly who are you selling this to?"

Hey, Redmond! Did ya hear? This one guy says you ain't impressing him, so you might as well shutter the damn thing. Last one to leave please turn off the lights.

RKN (Steam ID: nerdydesi) @ Nov 11th 2009 11:20AM

"I can see someone like CliffyB getting
annoyed by something like this to the point where he jumps back into
PC development."

That I'd like to see! : D

Mr Khan @ Nov 11th 2009 9:58AM

I find this price estimate dubious, unless Microsoft is specifically trying a rather severe razor/blade thing, underprice the tech and hope to make it back up on the software

NaeemTHM @ Nov 11th 2009 10:04AM

Well Microsoft did say they're looking at Natal as another console launch. Perhaps they're willing take the hit and hope that we'll all buy the 14 games to make up the price cut!

bemaggg @ Nov 11th 2009 10:00AM

The fact that this is a product coming from a company who overcharges for proprietary hard drives AND the fact that Michael Pachter would have an accurate prediction leaves me VERY doubtful.

Ex14 @ Nov 11th 2009 10:07AM

woa. u mean they actually perfected those humongous set ups in to those teeny weeny bar cameras? If u ask me i'm a little skeptical about this. And if this turns out to be true, I hope it's not gonna be a repeat where they rushed this out and it dies within a year (RROD....*shivers*) or worse still, it performs POORLY DD=, not in sales mind u but performance

DiamondXP @ Nov 11th 2009 10:07AM

I am a gamer and I am looking forward to this unit. A mutual friend of mine is on the team and he says it will be q4 2010. Just in time for the holidays. There is more than just game you can do with it.

bemaggg @ Nov 11th 2009 10:12AM

I'm looking forward to Johnny Lee's work. If it's anything like what he was doing with the wii remote then this will be very interesting.

Chibi Chaingun - blackhivemedia.com @ Nov 11th 2009 10:16AM

I agree. I'm a gamer too and it has great potential to be something really neat for the living room, aside from just games (however this during parties sounds like a match made in heaven! Drunk people playing fun casual games with no controller!)

The price doesn't seem that off to me considering it's just cameras.

uncle jesse @ Nov 11th 2009 10:26AM

Whoa, that makes TWO gamers here. Weird. I mean, what is this, a gaming news website?!

Oh....

Mike @ Nov 11th 2009 10:28AM

I'm worried it'll turn out to be as gimmicky as the Wii's controls. I wonder if this isn't just a play by Microsoft to grab onto some of the Wii's casual gamer marketshare, rather than be developed for more traditional gamers like ourselves.

I mean, business-wise, they've already "beaten" Sony as much as they can really expect to, but they haven't really targeted the Wii's customers yet, so perhaps this is just their effort to gain more marketshare. It might explain why Natal uses no controller; so that non-gamers will find it painless to use.

Sony's motion controller, on the other hand, is a controller, so perhaps they're designing it for more traditional gamers who have no problem with regular controllers. Although, it's still only got like one button on the thing so how hard could it be to use.

I'm reserving all judgement on these things till about a year after they both launch. It's all on the devs to see what they do with these things.

R (Planeteers | Power of Penile Pulse) @ Nov 11th 2009 11:16AM

The fact that Johnny Lee is working on it is one of the things keeping my faith that this will be amazing. After seeing some of the stuff he did with a Wii and a laptop, it makes me wonder what he could do with a full team and finanical backing from Microsoft.

Vcize @ Nov 11th 2009 10:08AM

For fifty bucks I'll pick one up just for the awesome Minority Report style dash interfacing.

Samuel Vimes @ Nov 11th 2009 10:15AM

I hope they do a lot with this peripheral. I was reading somewhere about how some games will have such minor natal support. Such as an FPS game where you can wave your hand to signal squad members, or motion throwing a grenade to throw one, but still having to use the controller. It takes less time and effort to just press the grenade button. So really hoping this doesn't end up like the next eye toy or virtual boy.

Mike @ Nov 11th 2009 10:20AM

I don't know, I felt the same way about the Wii. Lots of hype, very excited to try it out, and I was bored with it in 20 minutes. I'm getting the same vibe with Natal. We'll just have to see how game devs use it.

uncle jesse @ Nov 11th 2009 10:32AM

First of all, you weren't bored with the Wii in 20 minutes when you first tried it. Dislike the Wii all you want but I doubt that is true for anyone when they first popped in Wii Sports.

Secondly, I agree about hype getting the best of everyone. In the very beginning, everyone expected the Wii to work like it just now does with motion plus. I think everyone will be expecting Natal to work like Minority Report or something. I don't know if they can match the expectations, but if they can (and at that price) expect this to be big.