The release explicitly states that the still-codenamed Natal project is "scheduled to be available in holiday season 2010," adding that Natal "is only the most recent example of Microsoft's work creating natural user interfaces." With any luck, by E3 we'll have an actual name and maybe even a specific month for when we'll get to check it out at home! Until then, we'll have to get by with the inspirational video about Natal's origins created for today's release, embedded above.
The release explicitly states that the still-codenamed Natal project is "scheduled to be available in holiday season 2010," adding that Natal "is only the most recent example of Microsoft's work creating natural user interfaces." With any luck, by E3 we'll have an actual name and maybe even a specific month for when we'll get to check it out at home! Until then, we'll have to get by with the inspirational video about Natal's origins created for today's release, embedded above.
Reader Comments (98)
Posted: Jan 6th 2010 10:27PM ch3burashka said
That sounds about right. Now if we could see some non-mini-game gameplay.
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Posted: Jan 6th 2010 10:38PM The Punisher said
I don't mind mini games. I love games that are quick and easy to play. Not all of us has 20+ hours to dedicate to a game.
I have purchased Street Fighter 2 for pretty much every console I have owned from the Genesis to the Gameboy advanced, PS1 & XBLA. I love Street Fighter because I can pick it up and put it down without a second thought.
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I have purchased Street Fighter 2 for pretty much every console I have owned from the Genesis to the Gameboy advanced, PS1 & XBLA. I love Street Fighter because I can pick it up and put it down without a second thought.
Posted: Jan 6th 2010 10:38PM Morisato13 said
All I hear when I hear Natal is another way to alienate the 1 handed gamer. Bring back the pong paddles!
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Posted: Jan 6th 2010 11:13PM ch3burashka said
I already forgot but when the hell are we getting Milo? I feel like that it will either be incredibly awesome, or incredibly gimmicky. I can't imagine talking with him for hours, though. I almost convinced it's more of a social experiment, whether or not AI has evolved enough or humans are interested in talking with AI's.
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Posted: Jan 6th 2010 11:13PM Mal F4cti0n said
It takes YEARS to develop a game with current technology. Don't you think it will take at least years to develop with some new, never been used before by game developers, technology....AT LEAST.
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Posted: Jan 7th 2010 12:28AM (Unverified) said
Yeah they're clearly holding back on the good stuff. This looks to be basically like a motion capture studio for your living room, a cheaper version of what Hollywood uses to animate CG characters, like in Avatar. You could be really creative with this.
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Posted: Jan 6th 2010 10:29PM (Unverified) said
Oh god, that little bastard. May he burn in hell.
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Posted: Jan 6th 2010 10:29PM (Unverified) said
Wii vs Natal
Whoever Wins...We Get Shovelware
Christmas 2010.
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Whoever Wins...We Get Shovelware
Christmas 2010.
Posted: Jan 6th 2010 10:32PM (Unverified) said
I dunno, it looks like Natal has some promise to bring some good games.
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Posted: Jan 6th 2010 10:36PM Dr Perry Ulysses Cox said
Don't worry, Tre, I'm not sure we can trust the guy whose name ends with "X" to have a ton of original thoughts.
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Posted: Jan 6th 2010 10:37PM The Blank Mage Returns said
Well, I'd like to be optimistic, but honestly? I'm a cynical bastard who's never impressed by anything.
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Posted: Jan 6th 2010 10:38PM (Unverified) said
So, how does the PMC fit in there? Is that for the sequel?
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Posted: Jan 6th 2010 10:44PM (Unverified) said
I think both PMC and Natal both have potential. Moreso Natal because I have a feeling people will be reluctant to buy both a PS3 eye and a PMC. Sony can do it if they have a really good bundle though, or even bundle it with the console.
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Posted: Jan 6th 2010 10:50PM arnavdesai said
You know I am frankly tired of this elitist attitude of gamers(who I define as folks whose primary entertainment is video gaming). Guess what, as a market people who buy & like casual games are more in number than you or I. I dont understand the hate you have towards these types of games. If you dont like them then simply dont purchase them.
I dont see how this is hurting you.
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I dont see how this is hurting you.
Posted: Jan 6th 2010 10:54PM (Unverified) said
If we want to be elitist, that's our choice.
Who are you to judge our snobbish attitudes?
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Who are you to judge our snobbish attitudes?
Posted: Jan 6th 2010 10:56PM Morisato13 said
Who are you to question his right to judge your snobbish attitudes?
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Posted: Jan 6th 2010 10:57PM (Unverified) said
"I dont see how this is hurting you."
Go ask the Wii that. It's pretty much a graveyard for good core games now.
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Go ask the Wii that. It's pretty much a graveyard for good core games now.
Posted: Jan 6th 2010 11:03PM The Blank Mage Returns said
@Arnie
Sorry if you got the wrong impression, I don't hate these games, I just don't *personally* find them enjoyable. And just because it's a more profitable genre of game, doesn't mean I have to like it. And it IS hurting, since it causal titles are swiftly proving far more profitable than core market titles. (However, this is really only true for the Wii, as of now.
And I view casual gamers much like I do tourists.
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Sorry if you got the wrong impression, I don't hate these games, I just don't *personally* find them enjoyable. And just because it's a more profitable genre of game, doesn't mean I have to like it. And it IS hurting, since it causal titles are swiftly proving far more profitable than core market titles. (However, this is really only true for the Wii, as of now.
And I view casual gamers much like I do tourists.
Posted: Jan 7th 2010 12:24AM Prinnywithascarf said
You should care because one guy in the video is the "Director of Incubation"!
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Posted: Jan 6th 2010 10:34PM (Unverified) said
No, says it's still the codename. But if they don't hurry up, too many people will know it as Natal and it'll be stuck with that name.
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Posted: Jan 6th 2010 10:36PM The Blank Mage Returns said
I, for one, think that time has already passed. Even if they change it, the sheer number of people calling it Natal might stick.
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Posted: Jan 6th 2010 11:00PM CaramelZappa said
It might stick, but I was looking forward to the Nintendo Revolution for years, but since it launched I haven't heard anyone call it that.
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Posted: Jan 6th 2010 11:05PM The Blank Mage Returns said
Ugh, I had forgotten that it had an awesome name, long ago...
Honestly, who the hell thought Wii was a good name?
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Honestly, who the hell thought Wii was a good name?
Posted: Jan 6th 2010 11:18PM TheDarkWayne said
I kinda like Project Natal, i hope they don't change it to something boring like Xbox Move or some shit. But given that they went with stupid "Games Room" instead of TOWER OF ROM is not hope bringing
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Posted: Jan 6th 2010 10:33PM (Unverified) said
What the hell is Natal supposed to mean anyway?
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Posted: Jan 7th 2010 12:39AM The Blank Mage Returns said
Did you expect them to market realistically, IE a fat kid in a tiny, trashed, ill-lit living room, breaking his furniture before swearing loudly?
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Posted: Jan 6th 2010 10:34PM (Unverified) said
This is probably good news. It will give developers more time to make better games.
I wonder if Halo Reach is certainly using Natal? I bet there will be a nice bundle available complete with Halo coloring on the camera.
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I wonder if Halo Reach is certainly using Natal? I bet there will be a nice bundle available complete with Halo coloring on the camera.
Posted: Jan 6th 2010 10:35PM (Unverified) said
Considering the jokes Bungie was cracking about it in the latest podcast, I doubt they're doing anything with it.
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Posted: Jan 6th 2010 11:43PM TheDarkWayne said
that's very disappointing to hear. Those leaked screens and the reveal trailer certainly make it seem squad based, and that's one of the great ways Natal could be utilized in conjunction with the controller and not being gimmicky
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Posted: Jan 6th 2010 11:46PM (Unverified) said
Republic Commando had squad commands down right, and it didn't need Natal, so...
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Posted: Jan 6th 2010 10:34PM Dr Perry Ulysses Cox said
You know what? I can say whatever I want right now, but I know myself well enough to know that I'll be picking up Natal on day one. Why? Well, I'm not sure exactly. Maybe I'm just a sucker for hype, or maybe it's that little kid in me that had so much damn fun with the Super Scope 6. But I do know that if game makers want to try and evolve and do something new, I'm all for that. I'm not gonna be one of the assholes responsible for letting game developers get lazy.
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Posted: Jan 6th 2010 10:35PM The Blank Mage Returns said
You guys remember the SLEW of wii-related injuries and property damage that resulted from giving people tiny wrist-strapped remotes?
Well, now you use your entire body. And they have a kung-fu minigame.
I'm looking forward to it!
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Well, now you use your entire body. And they have a kung-fu minigame.
I'm looking forward to it!
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