Xbox Natal Project the new Gaming Generation
I'm too crazy about this...thought ill post this!You ought to read it!It seems like everyone owns an Xbox 360 these days. But games have been wondering what’s over the horizon for gaming. Microsoft’s answer to this question has been the Xbox Natal. The Natal project is essentially Microsoft’s answer to the Nintendo Wii’s motion control. However Microsoft’s version is a little safer. With the Wii you had to use the Wiimote, and the nun chuck attachment. There was always the chance of throwing it accidentally and breaking your LCD TV. However the natal is different. It’s controllers less, and safe for TV’s. Essentially it’s a high end motion sensor that’s built into the 360. It detects the motions of your hands, arms, legs, and body. It then inputs them into the game as if you were using a controller.  But it doesn’t just have uses for gaming. Xbox Natal is being designed to be your connectivity center. You would use the motion sensor to navigate between system windows when not playing a game. You can explore Xbox live, and browse everything that you would normally do with a controller. Talking to friends would be as simple as pointing at their name and talking. There has been rumor that the Natal project will also have a built in microphone.  This will eliminate the need for that flimsy headset that I’m sure most of you hate. However we will most likely not see the Natal till the next console generation. One of the problems releasing it for the current 360 is that the games aren’t programmed to use it. The difficulty of setting up games with motion control is they have to be programmed to accept commands from it. Not to mention the mechanics of a game may not work well with it if not designed for it. Take fighting games for example; currently they are still at the button mashing level. But on the Xbox Natal they would recognize the input from you kicking, punching, ducking, or moving in any other direction. This is obviously a lot different from button mashing and if you tried to play an older fighting game on it the game wouldn’t know what to do. This isn’t a problem with the system or the game; it’s merely a technological limitation at the time the old games were made. Although I must admit the idea’s set forth for the new Xbox Natal are intriguing. There are many options for real time strategy games now. In the past we were limited to using the d-pad, holding down triggers and selecting buildings and units from a scroll menu. But with the Natal project, all we have to do is point at the unit’s tell them to go here and shot this, and all will be right with the world. Well my world anyway, theirs is probably going to be in shambles. But that’s the point. The whole concept behind video games was to have fun. This concept was lost in the late 90’s early 2000’s. But it looks like Microsoft has finally remembered that gaming is meant to be enjoyed. Keep in mind even though they are developing something new there’s no reason to throw out your 360. As stated motion control doesn’t translate well onto older games. So unless they come up with a system for porting them, or re-release every 360 title on the Natal, then you’re going to need something to play them on. But I’m sure they will come up with something, after all Halo fans would scream bloody murder if they released the Natal, then discontinued the 360, and made no way to play the old games. As far as what the Xbox Natal is going to look like your guess is as good as mine. Obviously it will have to blend with the new console design, or maybe even be built into it. I’m sure Microsoft won’t make any bad hardware decisions like they did with the 360 launch. I think they learned their lesson. Now as for what outputs it’s going to have that we can take an educated guess on. HDMI is obviously a definite because everyone is going to the HDTV’s, although you may need to buy the cable separately. Component cables are probably going to be supported as well, and will probably be the standard hookup for the Xbox Natal. The old red, yellow, and white video cables are probably not going to be supported. After all this is the next generation and by the time it’s released most gamer’s won’t be using CRT TV’s to game on. The biggest promise that the Natal project is making is the elimination of the controller. Often people have felt constrained by the wired controller, so we moved to ireless. Still people need to hold the controller and hit buttons in order to play the game. It has been this way since the dawn of consoles, and we all accepted it as a fact of life. But going controllerless offers up new freedoms. Like being able to drop what you’re doing and stop the dog from running out the screen door you left open. Regardless of whether you are a Microsoft fan or not they are making some interesting innovations. Though some may argue that the Xbox Natal is just their attempt to combat Nintendo’s Wii, and they may be right. But the Natal Project also shows that Microsoft is open to different idea’s and isn’t afraid to try them out. After all what happens if they develop the new console, release it and it bombs in sales? They would lose a lot of money, and probably have to fire some people. But it’s a risk they are willing to take, and when it comes out it will be interesting to try. |
“It's not about reinventing the wheel, it's about no wheel at all.” - Steven Spielberg |
 What has Steven Spielberg saying, “It's not about reinventing the wheel, it's about no wheel at all.”? Project Natal uses new technology to give us true to life interactive games requiring no controllers. Unveiled at Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) 2009, Project Natal promises a whole new and exciting way to play games, watch movies, talk to friends, and so much more! With the greatest of ease anyone can jump right into playing on Project Natal, literally!The Xbox Natal release promises to get even the most casual player wanting to play. Project Natal gives the gamer ultimate control of their character, if the player wants to kick their target they kick and if another player needs to change a virtual tire they can, all with no controllers ever. Now families can play in teams against each other buzzing in correct answers as quick as they can or against another family with Xbox Live for even more fun! Create your own avatar and use it to chat with friends online simply by asking. With the sound of a voice the unit can scan an item to send to friends or even to use on a game! Best of all it sits under your T.V. and is compatible with all Xbox 360s. With the Xbox Natal release date tentatively placed at years end, it's sure to be on everyone's wish list this holiday season. This unit features a multi-array microphone that can track up to four people at one time and eliminates ambient sound for clear sound recognition. It has a RGB camera enabling facial recognition and full body tracking to provide realistic character control. A depth sensor that can see the room in 3D even with poor lighting ensuring fun even in the evening. Combine all these with a custom processor with proprietary software and the consumer gets a highly interactive easy to use gaming unit that's fun for everyone. What about the release date ?With the expected Xbox Natal release date set for end of 2009, there are still some questions that need to be answered about Project Natal. People are already asking how much Project Natal will cost and while there is no official statement some are estimating cost at about 500 dollars per unit. While the cost may be a little higher than a controller all the extra technologies make it well worth the extra cost. It is still unclear if older Xbox 360 games will be backwards compatible with it or if Project Natal will be sold as an accessory or bundled with the Xbox console. Either way it's sure to be a new and fun addition to everyone's gaming experience. |
Labels: Amazing, Gaming, Hot gadGeTs, Latest Downloads
today's youngsters are very exited with games on x-box...so all new features are come in the x box so its also a generation x-box to the all games lover !!!
Posted by
Unknown |
Saturday, October 31, 2009 3:23:00 AM
current gaming lovers getting spoiled by the presence of different types of games. This interesting article and add my knowledge
Posted by
psychology blog |
Saturday, October 31, 2009 3:44:00 AM
Truly amazing which turn the whole gaming experience and put our self in the game environment and i think this technology will change the concept of virtual reality.i really excited to experience it hope Microsoft will deliver it soon.anyway nice article briefly describe.thanks for sharing.
Posted by
Unknown |
Saturday, October 31, 2009 3:54:00 AM
I really like this one. Hope I can have one soon. This is really a must have especially to gamers like me.
Posted by
chosen_one |
Saturday, October 31, 2009 4:04:00 AM
Xbox Natal Project is a nice way of gaming , the motion capture is really a nice way of gaming , this is a nice way of playing games, the article contain good information about Xbox Natal Project
Posted by
vinod kumar |
Saturday, October 31, 2009 4:05:00 AM
What a feature. It must be tried. I think it will more interesting than the wii motion control.
Posted by
knug |
Saturday, October 31, 2009 4:13:00 AM
must be fun using these new generation items from xbox , cant afford one though , i will get one soon when my earnings are enough , hope these are bug free, thanks user for posting an excellent article
Posted by
the non believe |
Saturday, October 31, 2009 4:14:00 AM
Project natal is really interseting . many People are already asking how much Project Natal will cost,some are estimating cost at about 500 dollars per unit. After coming , of project natal , it will be really a new concept in , internet..
Posted by
Sanesh.avasthi |
Saturday, October 31, 2009 4:20:00 AM
Wow, I love this one. Gaming world is really evolving. Now, I'm just waiting for basketball and boxing be part of that.
Posted by
Anonymous |
Saturday, October 31, 2009 4:38:00 AM
i'm still waiting for the new xbox to my home... want to replace my old PS (not PS2 or PS3)
Posted by
mas harry |
Saturday, October 31, 2009 5:05:00 AM
Project Natal and How it Will Affect Gamers
In the ever-changing world of video games one
company is making a giant leap ahead of the competition. On June 1st 2009 Microsoft announced Project Natal a "controller-free gaming and entertainment experience" for the Xbox 360 video game platform. Project Natal is an add-on for the Xbox 360 by enabling users to control and interact with the Xbox 360 without needing to ever touch a game controller.
Project Natal was developed to broaden the users of the Xbox 360 to more casual and new gamers. How does Project Natal work though? More importantly what does this mean for you the gamer and what does it mean for the gaming industry?
First off Project Natal is a video recognition device. This is different to the Wii, because the Wii is a 3D positional device whereas Project Natal is a camera
seeing what's going on. With the Wii where ever you move the controller is where the hand or weapon is. With Project Natal whatever the camera sees you do it does. Project Natal provides motion capture, facial recognition, and voice recognition capabilities.
It also allows such things as headset-free chat on Xbox Live. Project Natal even calibrates it's sensing range varying by the type of game play and the player's physical environment (Such as couches or coffee tables). Project Natal may just be the new generation of home entertainment, but how will it really affect gamers?
Every gamer's dream is to be inside the video game slashing his long sword at zombies or throwing the game winning touchdown. With Project Natal casual and hardcore gamers can finally experience this. It may not put you directly in the game, but it lets you control it as if you were actually Brett Favre or a super spy.
An interesting branch of Project Natal could be workout's being entirely done in the living room instead of the gym. Well isn't there already something like that called the Wii Fit? Yes, but again the Wii uses a controller with 3D positional software where as Project Natal does what you do, because of this Project Natal totally eliminates controllers. Now gamers can save money on controllers and accessories and use his hands or household items. This is the beginning of reality games where you are the character.
Project Natal could lead to such things as advanced combat systems of gamer vs. gamer literally physically fighting each other by dodging each other's blows and hacking with their sword. This is a gamer's ultimate fantasy. Although with all the benefits for the gamer are there any for the gaming industry itself?
Most would think that other companies must dread the idea of Project Natal, which in reality might be very true. However with an advance like this being made in gaming it does wonders to the gaming industry itself. Technology like this is only going to get better and better by Microsoft and other companies expanding on Project Natal.
Some companies such as Nintendo might lose some profits as new and existing customers make the switch to Xbox 360, but any company will take Microsoft's innovation and make it better and unique.
I expect that by at least 2015 all video game controllers will be as ancient as what we think wired controllers are now. This brings a new era to video games not only for the Xbox 360, but also for other platforms that will hopefully expand on Project Natal. Not only does this open up new opportunities for the video game industry, but also the home entertainment industry.
With an estimated release date of late 2010 Project Natal will most likely explode on the scene improving Microsoft's already large grasp on the video game platform market. Coupled with the fact that Project Natal will also be usable on the PC makes it even more valuable not just to gamers, but also to businesses conducting meetings and presentations. Project Natal is the new era of video games, their platforms, and home entertainment.
Posted by
ramy09 |
Monday, November 02, 2009 6:38:00 AM
i hope microsoft makes a better product compared to the nintendo wii...
Posted by
Fady21 |
Thursday, November 05, 2009 12:01:00 PM
The Xbox (name derived from "DirectX box") is a video game console produced by Microsoft. It was Microsoft's first foray into the gaming console market
Posted by
MARINE |
Thursday, November 05, 2009 3:41:00 PM
I really like this one. Hope I can have one soon. This is really a must have especially to gamers like me.
Posted by
harpreet |
Thursday, November 05, 2009 3:58:00 PM
This is another breakthrough in the gaming industry. Surely after the release of this Project Natal, many similar companies are going to follow with more advanced features. But for now, this must be exciting especially for gamers out there.
Posted by
JAY |
Thursday, November 05, 2009 4:56:00 PM
this way of playing games is superb, the new motion capture method is superb, it will be very exicited to play games in this way, this article contain all the information regarding this .
Posted by
vinod kumar |
Thursday, November 05, 2009 8:52:00 PM
Microsoft's xbox is a great gaming console, its new method of motion capture is outstanding. Project natal is very interesting
Posted by
Unknown |
Saturday, November 07, 2009 4:33:00 PM
Project natal is really interseting . many People are already asking how much Project Natal will cost,some are estimating cost at about 500 dollars per unit. After coming , of project natal , it will be really a new concept in , internet..
Posted by
Elsayed Shahawy |
Sunday, November 08, 2009 5:27:00 AM
Xbox.com is your ultimate source for all things Xbox and Xbox 360. Get news updates; game trailers, screens, previews, and strategy; hardware information
Posted by
dihan |
Monday, November 16, 2009 8:01:00 PM
So, this is the rival of Nintendo Wii. It's interesting. But I'm sure the consumer will be kida and family members, not real gamers. Let's see how will this console affecting Nintendo Wii markets.
Posted by
ngendhog |
Monday, November 23, 2009 4:28:00 PM