| Mail |
You might also like: WoW Insider, Massively, and more

Reader Comments (121)

Posted: Jan 9th 2010 9:37PM Look At This Suit said

  • 3 hearts
  • Report
Translation: No, we're not going to put a bunch of tiny, immersive things into big budget titles. We're in it for the shovelware.
Reply

Posted: Jan 9th 2010 9:48PM BIGGEN said

  • Half a heart
  • Report
you're horrible at translating
Reply

Posted: Jan 9th 2010 10:08PM Chris DPSN AggieCEO XBLThe Aggi said

  • 3 hearts
  • Report
I think he did a good job.....if they can get just 1/3 of the shit the Wii has ported over they will soon have 7 year old girls looking to babysit virtual baby and change virtual poo with hand gestures....its a HOT SENSATION!!
Reply

Posted: Jan 9th 2010 10:14PM (Unverified) said

  • 3 hearts
  • Report
Your exactly right. Everyones been saying that but i kept my mouth closed 'cause I knew it wouldn't be true, But here it is. Straight from their own mouths. This isn't for the core demographic whatsoever. Because we, for the most part do not want "controller-less games" Whatever they may come up with.

Dont misunderstand, i'm still going to buy one if i see some entertainment coming from it in a few months after launch. But this has definitely taken the magic out of the device for me.
Reply

Posted: Jan 9th 2010 10:18PM BigD145 said

  • 3 hearts
  • Report
Translation: No, you can't play this game without Natal. Buy it now!!
Reply

Posted: Jan 9th 2010 10:23PM (Unverified) said

  • 2 hearts
  • Report
Ubisoft's statement that they plan to port crap like Petz and Imagine over wasn't exactly comforting.
Reply

Posted: Jan 9th 2010 11:38PM dogcow said

  • 1 heart
  • Report
Brutal, rude, obnoxious and totally true.
Reply

Posted: Jan 10th 2010 12:46AM Vcize said

  • 3 hearts
  • Report
I don't get how you guys took this statement this way.

If anything, this is saying "no, we're not going to do that bullshit gimmick crap where the supposed motion controls are really just simulating a simple button press".
Reply

Posted: Jan 10th 2010 1:01AM Druko said

  • 3 hearts
  • Report
I'm agreeing with Vcize on this one. It sounds like they really want this to break into the casual market while maintaining at least some interest in the current userbase. This isn't the Wii we're talking about--this is still the power of the 360 and it's developers. Sure, there will be a lot of shovelware, but that's to be expected. I'm sure (or at least really hoping) that there will be some developers who can use Natal to it's full potential and break free from the gimmicks and regular controller-based gameplay and come up with something really innovative and built from the ground up with the power of Natal in mind.
Reply

Posted: Jan 10th 2010 12:57AM TheDarkWayne said

  • 2 hearts
  • Report
It all sounded like typical AG corporate bullshit to me Vcize. To me in pretty much said "no, don't expect to be able to lean your head to snipe, or issue squad commands with your hand, just get ready to throw bottles at carnival stands". Like Chris said on the podcast, if this really does take up 15% of the 360s power, what games are gonna sacrifice that for add ons like that, the only way they could do it without problem is also like Chris said, separate levels or instances where it's usable I.E. Project Natal MW3 sniper level or Fable 3 business meeting or something.
Reply

Posted: Jan 10th 2010 2:17AM The Punisher said

  • 2.5 hearts
  • Report
Hey guys,

Face it. Your family is not going to gather around the TV while you play hours of MW2.

See, there are these times that happen throughout the year, times where families gather to be around each other, interact with each other. They're called HOLIDAYS.

Radical? I know.

Natal is going to get the members of your family off the couch, jumping around, being silly and laughing with each other.
Reply

Posted: Jan 10th 2010 8:28AM Chris DPSN AggieCEO XBLThe Aggi said

  • 3 hearts
  • Report
Caveman.....I have Wii for that....
Reply

Posted: Jan 10th 2010 11:01AM Ashitaka said

  • Half a heart
  • Report
Hey, caveman, listen to what I learned from Batman the other day...

I hope you know Microsoft doesn't pay you for being their little bitch.
Reply

Posted: Jan 10th 2010 1:33PM chardlander said

  • 2 hearts
  • Report
If natal is going to suceed, microsoft is going to have to make a clear divide between Natal and the conventional 360. If games are going to have both types of controls, the more serious game developers are going to go elsewhere. Project Natal For the Win? details. http://bit.ly/project-natal-will-change-our-world
Reply

Posted: Jan 10th 2010 1:40PM TheDarkWayne said

  • 2 hearts
  • Report
It warms my heart to read you say that ashitaka
Reply

Posted: Jan 10th 2010 4:35PM (Unverified) said

  • 2 hearts
  • Report
The Wiimote is great because it's simply passing motion vectors to the Wii. So, it's a great input device that doesn't cost any overhead to the poor Wii processor.

Now, by pulling the processor out of Natal, they simply did another PS2 EyeToy!!! Still can't believe that when they first showed that up at CES, people claimed it was the end of the gaming world. I remember when they said: "Microsoft won the show hands down because of Natal". Looking at it today, they are now simply copying the EyeToy. Big talk then for pretty much nothing today.

Well, at least Fable 3 should be using it nicely. As long as you don't get kill as you're moving forward to switch DVDs!
Reply

Posted: Jan 11th 2010 11:53PM VaultBoy said

  • 2 hearts
  • Report
At the risk of sounding like a fanboy, and I will, Natal looks to be more of a true motion experience than Nintendo and Sony's offerings. That Sony wand or whatever it is looks hideous. And yes, I can see the tidal wave of shovelware that is sure to accompany this device, and while I am not about to abandon my controller just yet, I am interested to see what comes of this tecnology. It is the next step in the evolution toward the long saught-after holo-deck!
Reply

Posted: Jan 9th 2010 9:41PM HighFiveJesus said

  • 3 hearts
  • Report
We've got a new add-on! Brand new experiences! YOU'RE GONNA LOOVE IT. now read it as if lewis black said it.
Reply

Posted: Jan 10th 2010 7:11AM KinseySS said

  • 2 hearts
  • Report
Now those PSEye games can be ported to the 360 :D
Reply

Posted: Jan 9th 2010 9:43PM Foetoid said

  • 2 hearts
  • Report
I really really can't see this thing working. At least when the Wiimote was revealed, with its movement in any direction and twisting on any axis, people went "wow, i bet it can do blah blah really well" and most of the time it did, especially with the nunchuk. This looks woefully unusable and a true shovelware magnet. Yes the wiimote was the same as a shovelware magnet, but it still works very well for hardcore games.
Reply

Posted: Jan 9th 2010 10:30PM Johnnynumber5 is powered by cell said

  • 1 heart
  • Report
The Wii mote hasn't done anything well or improved gaming at all. The only positive thing about the wii mote is the pointer. Thats it.
Reply

Posted: Jan 9th 2010 9:47PM Jechtshot78 said

  • 3 hearts
  • Report
Then they should probably show a launch title that is not a small minigame or add on....
Reply

Posted: Jan 9th 2010 10:01PM Shadowbender said

  • 3 hearts
  • Report
Fable III...but charging real money for in game items and upgrades to the environment that aren't DLC is absolute BS. Shuts me off.
Reply

Posted: Jan 9th 2010 10:11PM Jechtshot78 said

  • 3 hearts
  • Report
Yeah...Fable III will be unplayable without Natal I bet....
Reply

Posted: Jan 10th 2010 12:31AM JohnAHD said

  • 2 hearts
  • Report
oh... and there goes one of my favorite IPs.
Reply

Posted: Jan 9th 2010 9:51PM (Unverified) said

  • 2 hearts
  • Report
Well, guess I might not be playing Fable III then.

Unless Microsoft impresses me with something new (there is still time), I'm not buying Natal until it hits the clearance bins for 30 or so.
Reply

Posted: Jan 9th 2010 10:11PM Chris DPSN AggieCEO XBLThe Aggi said

  • 3 hearts
  • Report
I don't think I will be buying Natal at all.....my 360 is in my bedroom....I might have 5-7' of free space in it....no room to move around like a lunatic to kick balls....


then on top of that I'm not sure how the wife would feel about having an ALWAYS on camera/mic sitting in the room like that......
Reply

Posted: Jan 9th 2010 10:17PM Shadowbender said

  • 3 hearts
  • Report
Hahaha Chris. I'm sure A LOT of people feel the same.
Reply

Posted: Jan 9th 2010 10:20PM (Unverified) said

  • 2 hearts
  • Report
I've got a little more room, but not enough. And I don't want to have all these cameras on top of my TV.
Reply

Posted: Jan 9th 2010 10:31PM Chris DPSN AggieCEO XBLThe Aggi said

  • 2 hearts
  • Report
my PSEye is in a drawer......I only pull it out for LBP, and the Aquarium "game" when my daughters wanna play with the fish....

if I for some reason get Natal(it will have to be under $40) it will get the same treatment most likely....
Reply

Posted: Jan 9th 2010 10:34PM (Unverified) said

  • 2 hearts
  • Report
Only reason I have a PSEye is because I found it with the Eye of Judgment pack for 15 on clearance and figured "eh, what the heck". I think the other stuff is in a box somewhere. The camera is on top of my TV, but it's not hooked up. I keep it because the PMC will use it.
Reply

Posted: Jan 9th 2010 10:44PM Shadowbender said

  • 2 hearts
  • Report
I think all of the cameras for any system are one big conspiracy for companies to spy on their consumers to make sure you're not talkin smack about their product.

/s
Reply

Posted: Jan 9th 2010 10:49PM Chris DPSN AggieCEO XBLThe Aggi said

  • 2 hearts
  • Report
I think you're right....my PSEye had the Red light pop on a few times out the blue....

I got the PSEye cause Walmart had it for $30 with the Blu-ray remote....so $15 for each of those wasn't that bad
Reply

Posted: Jan 9th 2010 10:56PM Shadowbender said

  • 2 hearts
  • Report
That's disturbing Chris.
Reply

Posted: Jan 9th 2010 9:58PM JohnnyMnemonic said

  • 2 hearts
  • Report
god this thing looks like it sucks
Reply

Posted: Jan 9th 2010 10:12PM Chris DPSN AggieCEO XBLThe Aggi said

  • 2 hearts
  • Report
I don't see a pic of a Dyson vacuum cleaner or Janet Jacme anywhere......
Reply

Posted: Jan 9th 2010 10:27PM (Unverified) said

  • 2 hearts
  • Report
Well, maybe they'll put a Suck/Blow switch on the back.
Reply

Posted: Jan 9th 2010 9:58PM Shadowbender said

  • 1 heart
  • Report
January 9= Natal Day.
Reply

Posted: Jan 9th 2010 10:00PM JRMG said

  • 3 hearts
  • Report
Natal has "Casual" written all over it. Maybe it can serve a core game by being able to use your fingers to choose menu options (for example, picking plays in Madden).

Thing is, that if their best games aren't going to use it, then Natal software really will be loaded with shovelware--and Casual families are not going to buy another "shovelware" system. Nintendo has that market cornered.
Reply

Posted: Jan 9th 2010 10:02PM ColorblindMonk said

  • 2 hearts
  • Report
So, I would like a small game packaged with Natal to demonstrate what future titles would be like. Perhaps some sort of sports minigame collection...
Reply

Posted: Jan 10th 2010 1:17AM Druko said

  • 2 hearts
  • Report
Natal and fitness software could be godly. It could track sit ups, pushups, correct your form, have a much more lifelike boxing game (tracking entire body movement instead of just two points...), tennis, dancing (watching your feet and teach you dance moves or something), multiplayer baseball (batter hitting, pitcher could throw, and two players could be catchers in the field or something, having to actually reach for the ball in the right direction), and anything else you can imitate within the space in front of your TV.

If the Wii is any indication, 3rd party games pretty much don't matter. If Natal is sub $100, then all of the moms who bought they're kids 360s could get this easily and if Microsoft can put together a great fitness game, then they'll eat it right up.
Reply

Posted: Jan 13th 2010 11:58PM p dot t said

  • 2 hearts
  • Report
I tried
Reply

Posted: Jan 9th 2010 10:06PM freaparn said

  • 3 hearts
  • Report
This sounds... incredibly half-assed. It's like wiimote envy, they developed a technology without any idea of how to implement it in a compelling or useful fashion.
Reply

Posted: Jan 9th 2010 10:18PM Dr Acula said

  • 3 hearts
  • Report
The above statement fits the entire "motion-control" generation, save for a few games on the Wii, and maybe a handful across the 360 and PS3 once the motion controllers are released. Shovelware ahoy!
Reply

Posted: Jan 9th 2010 10:26PM Chris DPSN AggieCEO XBLThe Aggi said

  • 2.5 hearts
  • Report
but....but.....teh KIDDIEZ!!!

LIDDLE MARY WANTZ TOO PLAY DE BABEE SITTINGZ ON 360z!!!
Reply

Posted: Jan 10th 2010 12:34AM JohnAHD said

  • 2 hearts
  • Report
so, what did you expect, i Microsfot ever knew, they wouldve been where wii is now and not give a crap about us. i mean, they go to where money is the same way a dog to his toy bone.
Reply

Posted: Jan 9th 2010 10:21PM Starcade said

  • 2 hearts
  • Report
Is consuming 10-15% of resources such a big deal? There is still 85-90% of resources available. Do games require 100% of resources outside of the input device to operate successfully? Has anyone ever really cared about how resources are divided? Like in Rock Band for example, I don't care how it works, I just care that it works and is fun to play.

In the end, whatever we discuss on the matter is PURE speculation until it's finally available. There are those intrigued by the idea. There are those who hate the idea. I'm holding out my opinion until I actually see and or use it. When the Wii was first announced I was among those that was sceptical that a new interface could work. New interfaces can work.... and I'm glad Nintendo challenged the norm. This interface may fail. It may not. We'll have to wait and see.
Reply

Posted: Jan 9th 2010 10:35PM Johnnynumber5 is powered by cell said

  • 1 heart
  • Report
Pretty sure the 360 requires resources for audio (no dedicated chip so it takes up CPU) and of course whatever it needs for the in game stuff on live, xmb, nxe or whatever. It's not like Natal is the only thing outside of games that takes up CPU resources in the 360.
Reply

Posted: Jan 9th 2010 10:37PM (Unverified) said

  • 2 hearts
  • Report
Yes, neither the PS3 or the 360 have a dedicated sound chip. So the CPU has to handle all those calculations, on top of everything else.

If the Dashboard is laggy with a controller, how is it going to work with Natal pulling more from the system?
Reply

Posted: Jan 9th 2010 11:42PM dogcow said

  • 2.5 hearts
  • Report
I think the issue is whether current top level games today are designed knowing they'd have to reserve 10-15% of the overall processing power of the Xbox360 for Natal, down the line...and if not, how much work would it be to make it so...and if so...is it worth it economically to revisit those games for a peripheral that may not get market penetration? I can imagine that would weigh on devs minds.

Compare that scenario to the original Natal prototype, which had its OWN processing unit to offload that 10-15%...I think you'd see a different response from devs.
Reply
Sorry, you must be logged in to leave a comment.

Featured Stories

Rhythm Heaven Fever review: Crazy into you

Posted on Feb 9th 2012 12:00PM

Remedy not done with Alan Wake

Posted on Feb 9th 2012 10:30AM

Engadget

TUAW

Massively

WoW