Forza Motorsport dev working with Natal tech
37
It may not be the most shocking turn of events, but we would be remiss not point out that Turn 10 -- the studio behind the Forza Motorsport series -- is dabbling in Natal development. The evidence comes by way of a Turn 10 job listing for a business development manager. The listing, discovered by Total Video Games, is looking for someone to "set strategy and drive high quality game content for our Next Generation games including the NATAL platform."
Considering that Forza Motorsport series is the only product that Turn 10 has created for Microsoft thus far, it's probably safe to assume Natal support will work its way into future iterations of the series. Microsoft has already proven that Natal can be utilized in driving games with its Burnout Paradise demo, though its hard to imagine the motion capture peripheral will have the precision for something as technical as Forza.
But who says Natal has to be used for steering? It could be used for secondary activities like shifting, changing the radio station or, most obviously, flipping the bird. We're sure Xbox Live members would just love it.
[Via G4tv]
Considering that Forza Motorsport series is the only product that Turn 10 has created for Microsoft thus far, it's probably safe to assume Natal support will work its way into future iterations of the series. Microsoft has already proven that Natal can be utilized in driving games with its Burnout Paradise demo, though its hard to imagine the motion capture peripheral will have the precision for something as technical as Forza.
But who says Natal has to be used for steering? It could be used for secondary activities like shifting, changing the radio station or, most obviously, flipping the bird. We're sure Xbox Live members would just love it.
[Via G4tv]
Reader Comments (37)
Posted: Jan 19th 2010 7:25PM Uncle Jesse said
Head tracking and being able to adjust everything in your car with your hands would be amazing. Imagine moving the rear view mirror by reaching up and having your arm move the mirror in-game.
Reply
Posted: Jan 19th 2010 7:50PM Hivetyrant said
As long as I can give people the finger while racing, i'm happy
Reply
Posted: Jan 19th 2010 9:30PM andysexton said
Head tracking is the obvious answer for most of the "but how does Natal work for hardcore games?" question. It would be very nice to be able to turn my head slightly to glance at the rear view mirror or to see if a car was pulling even with me. Just like it would be nice to be able to turn your head in a shooter, flight, or other vehicle shooter while still shooting/moving in another direction.
My big concern now that it is apparently not going to do most of the processing onboard that it will end up crowding out graphics or enhanced AI. I'd personally pay more for the original concept, but I know their goal is broad adoption, so I suppose I understand the business reasons. Maybe Natal 2/Xbox 720 will tie it all together.
Reply
My big concern now that it is apparently not going to do most of the processing onboard that it will end up crowding out graphics or enhanced AI. I'd personally pay more for the original concept, but I know their goal is broad adoption, so I suppose I understand the business reasons. Maybe Natal 2/Xbox 720 will tie it all together.
Posted: Jan 19th 2010 11:00PM spin cycle said
Head tracking is an obvious answer. It's also not something Natal has been shown to do. All demos so far have tracked the position of limbs but not the orientation. There's no evidence it can tell when you turn your head.
Reply
Posted: Jan 19th 2010 6:55PM Captain Planet Planeteer Power said
I like your post Spyder, but I have to downvote, for the Horde. No disrespect.
Reply
Posted: Jan 19th 2010 6:37PM (Unverified) said
I don't think they'd make a Forza game with Natal, it'd be something else.
Forza has been targeted at the GT demographic for a while. It'd be stupid to suddenly target it at casuals.
Reply
Forza has been targeted at the GT demographic for a while. It'd be stupid to suddenly target it at casuals.
Posted: Jan 19th 2010 6:45PM sonicspike41 said
Well I can't really see either of them including motion support. They are both supposed to be very real when it comes to driving, and I just can't see an invisible wheel helping someone make accurate turns with all the handling and weight and all factored in.
It seems like this would work better with that wacky racing game they have planned. I can't remember the name of it, but the one they showed off at last year's E3.
Reply
It seems like this would work better with that wacky racing game they have planned. I can't remember the name of it, but the one they showed off at last year's E3.
Posted: Jan 19th 2010 6:47PM (Unverified) said
Exactly. Head tracking, I could see in Forza 4, since GT 5 will have it.
I wonder if they'll make Natal work with the Wii Wheel...
Reply
I wonder if they'll make Natal work with the Wii Wheel...
Posted: Jan 19th 2010 7:00PM Zune360Win7 said
Who said it had to be casual? Two things people need to understand; One : Natal isn't out yet give it a chance. Two: Last but, certainly not least, we not even sure about how much Natal, and Forza for that matter, actually needs from the 360. Heck they said between 10-15, right? Dev's all the time say, "we're using all of the console power," which is a lie, but never actually disclose actual figures.
So, my Joystiq associate, just wait and see.
Reply
So, my Joystiq associate, just wait and see.
Posted: Jan 19th 2010 7:03PM (Unverified) said
*looks at what Microsoft has shown for Natal*
*looks at how Microsoft talks about Natal*
They're aiming hard for the casuals.
Reply
*looks at how Microsoft talks about Natal*
They're aiming hard for the casuals.
Posted: Jan 19th 2010 7:17PM sonicspike41 said
Well considering that so far all the advertisements regarding Natal and most of the stuff they have shown off was targeted more towards being simple/family friendly, I'd say it's a fairly safe bet who this will be aimed at.
If anything it'll probably end up like a Nintendo title. It'll be extremely simple and easy to understand, fun for the whole family, but also relevant and fun enough for the "core" users. Well, at least that's what we can hope for.
Reply
If anything it'll probably end up like a Nintendo title. It'll be extremely simple and easy to understand, fun for the whole family, but also relevant and fun enough for the "core" users. Well, at least that's what we can hope for.
Posted: Jan 19th 2010 7:19PM (Unverified) said
Unfortunately, Microsoft and Co don't have the programming talent of Nintendo.
Reply
Posted: Jan 19th 2010 6:44PM cbarrentos said
i would just like to say that this article's photo is the single best photo i've ever seen on joystiq.
it's now my desktop wallpaper.
Reply
it's now my desktop wallpaper.
Posted: Jan 19th 2010 6:47PM sonicspike41 said
I don't know. I mean I agree that it's pretty hilarious, but to say it's the best ever... or maybe I just remember the days of yore well spent seeking out the ever elusive DSG.
Reply
Posted: Jan 19th 2010 6:52PM cbarrentos said
i regard DSG is more than just a photo.
she is forever a part of my heart.
Reply
she is forever a part of my heart.
Posted: Jan 19th 2010 6:56PM Captain Planet Planeteer Power said
Why do birds suddenly appear
Every time, D-S-G is near
Reply
Every time, D-S-G is near
Posted: Jan 19th 2010 7:06PM Pure Black World Tendency said
Just like Wii
They couldn't sell
Unitologyyyy
Reply
They couldn't sell
Unitologyyyy
Posted: Jan 19th 2010 7:03PM PantsParty said
That kid in the picture looks so stupid. I really do hate these Disney boys they get with their stupid long hair, it's like they're girls...
Reply
Posted: Jan 19th 2010 7:13PM Ezio Auditore da Firenze said
Meh, they're kids.
Once they grow up, they'll get a big boy haircut, or just end up looking like a douche.
Reply
Once they grow up, they'll get a big boy haircut, or just end up looking like a douche.
Posted: Jan 19th 2010 8:25PM wcarnation said
That's right, the only way to look acceptable is by the exciting proposition of following other people's standards and looking exactly the same!
Reply
Posted: Jan 19th 2010 7:12PM Ezio Auditore da Firenze said
Hot damn!
I can't wait for Forza Motorsport: Party Game Collection!
Reply
I can't wait for Forza Motorsport: Party Game Collection!
Posted: Jan 19th 2010 8:29PM armageddon said
As long as they are creating something that isn't a racing sim I'll check it out, else I'll not touch it.
Reply
Posted: Jan 19th 2010 10:20PM (Unverified) said
The newest Official Xbox Magazine hints that Turn 10 is working on PGR5 so this could be the game getting the Natal support.
Reply
Posted: Jan 20th 2010 4:36AM Vitamin Awesome said
Head tracking seems to be a given, but there are also other possibilities like browsing menus (on screen keyboard for searching perhaps?), moving and applying decals (as stated above), or on-screen gestures while using a wheel (horn honking, adjusting mirrors, flipping birds). As long as it's supplementary, and above all completely optional, I'm fine with it.
Reply
Posted: Jan 20th 2010 1:55PM (Unverified) said
I hear a lot about flipping the bird to other players, but more importantly this would allow you to flip the bird to that jerk M.Rossi. He might not respond, but at least you'd feel some satisfaction from doing so.
Reply
Posted: Jan 20th 2010 5:58PM Travmanman said
all that I am reminded of from the photo is "EFF OFF DAD!!!!"
Reply
Sorry, you must be logged in to leave a comment.
Featured Stories
The most popular posts
in the last 7 days
- Vita 'UMD Passport' won't be offered in US 220 comments
- Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning review: A tempting fate 153 comments
- David Jaffe leaves Eat Sleep Play, layoffs hit developer [Update] 108 comments
- Don't call it a remake: Final Fantasy X is a 'remaster,' to be clear 95 comments
- Battleship movie adapted into FPS by Double Helix 93 comments











