Former EyeToy exec warns of the difficulties facing Natal, 'Arc'

i kind of agree with him, one of the reasons of the wiis success is that you can play interactive games without getting too active (unless you want to).

but im sure Microsoft and especially sony are taking notes from the somewhat unsuccessful device the eyetoy was.

Wii Play is a great example of the effectiveness of that business model.

Sell some type of software with it! ANYTHING!

Wii Sports worked since it was bundled with every Wii system purchased. Every Wii owner was exposed to it.

I hear the 360 will be relaunched to be bundled with Natal and should also be bundled with some software to try it out.

But what about existing users who traditionally don't like to purchase peripherals, though with these music games being an exception? Tony Hawk Ride would have been more successful if it also came in a stand-alone version.

The charatcer in the bottom right corner looks like Russell from Gorillaz. Well... with earrings.

Is that the Gorillaz?

Looks like off versions of 2D, Russel, and Noodle.

I totally agree. I also think Sony is taking a good approach by making current games compatible (LittleBigPlanet, RE5, Flower, etc)

The PS3 launched at $600, giving it the perception of being a high tech and revolutionary device compared to its competition but look what happened when its price was slashed eventually to half.

That "high-price perceives prestige, high-value and quality" may work on cars, but not here.

We haven't really got an 'official' name for either of them yet.
and no, Arc doesn't really count

It really doesn't matter since these are simply add-ons (even if Microsoft says they are treating it like a console launch).

The Wii is built around motion control and that is why it is so successful. Both Microsoft's and Sony's console are perceived as "hardcore" gaming machines. Sony might be more successful than Microsoft since they previously captured the "casual" market in the PS1-PS2 era, but it will probably last a year before they give up on it.

They should focus all that money on games. They are not going to capture the non-gamer audience because they aren't named Nintendo.

I fell like a broken record saying this, but I can't really comment on Natal's success(or failure) until I see what it actually does.

Show me -something- MS!!

"the PS3 has enough software at this point to where buying it at its reduce price point is a no brainer."

Wait... What? Did your account get hacked or something?

Anyways, I see your point. But I think you are also underestimating the intelligence of consumers, I don't think people will buy it at that high of a price unless it gets TONS of support. I mean, that's half the price of an Xbox arcade.

I think Natal and "Arc" are going to have trouble selling, just like EyeToy did. No matter how great it is, it's still an add-on. The software is going to have to be very compelling to sell them (see: Guitar Hero).

It isn't going to sell because "OH COOL! MOTION CONTROLS! JUST LIKE THE Wii!" because they already have the Wii.

The problem is that if you have to use your arms and legs for a game you will get tired as you will not only be using them but most likely standing up. I know playing the Wii you get a good work out and you do get tired especially your arms. Also safety will have to be important as we don't want to hear about someone's shoe flying off and hitting their TV with the Natal or the Arc flying out of someone's hand and landing in the TV.

I know with the Wii the recommend that you take frequent breaks and I know with Natal and the Arc that will be very true.

It will also depend greatly on how well the camera responds to the movement and the wand and camera respond. If they don't work well it won't be fun to play and may end up making people more frustrated and not want to play the games as they may just say it is a gimmick!

It all sounds good in theory but how well will it actually work when put into real game play.

Will a GT game be better with the Arc and will Halo benefit from a Natal like controller only when the devices come out will we actually be able to see.

Just remember to make the games fun and not a mash of mini games!

Maybe the EyeToy wouldn't be such a massive failure if they had actual games out for it. And, you know, marketing.

I agree but even the sphere wasn't bad, at least it made sense!

I hope they have at least one Natal porn game. You'd burn a lot of calories. It's just like Wii Fit!

A headline in the future might read : Developers frustrated at Arc and Natal same sales, refocusing on core titles.

Just like the shit that went down with the Wii, if they didn't get it the past 3 years on the Wii, like they are going to get it with Arc or Natal? Seriously what will change, its basically the same f**king thing!

Why is it people keep saying Eyetoy is a failure. It sold over 10 million unit by 2008. The only failure is Sony for supporting it. I recall Phil Harrison lamenting the suits in Japan for not believing in social gaming. http://www.360plex.com/news/view/242254/.
Eyetoy is most fun when you playing with a group of people. I just wish they rerelease the PS2 Eyetoy games for people who bought the PSEye, just to get people ready for the Arc.

"peripheral and a piece of software came bundled for the price of a normal game"

This is what is making me seriously consider importing Invizimals from Play-Asia.com. It's more expensive than a typical US PSP release, yes, but it's on par with the pricing of other Asia-region PSP games. With the camera!

"Hell, we haven't even heard a name for one of them."

You do know that Natal is just a codename, right? Like Chicago, Memphis, Vienna, Whistler...

I was going with cities, since Natal is also a city... (Actually here in Brazil)