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Project Natal

Project Natal is the codename for Microsoft's new 'interactive method' accessory for the Xbox 360. The device sits close to your television, similar to the Wii sensor bar, and includes both a regular and infrared cameras. This lets the device perform functions such as image recognition through the regular camera, and motion tracking through the IR sensors. Microsoft is touting Natal as a breakthrough in control schemes one-upping Nintendo's Wii-mote as your body is the controller. The Natal also contains a microphone that allows the software to be enhanced with voice recognition technology.

Project Natal 1
MSRP --
Release date September, 2010
Brand Microsoft
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Pros & Cons11
Reviews3
Details
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Pros & Cons

ProSCORE
3 reviews
71
negative
mixed
positive
2 positive
0 mixed
1 negative

[i] How is the ProSCORE calculated?

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Pros:
Do you agree?
•
No need for a controller; YOU are the controller
+2agreedisagree

•
Innovative new control paradigm expands the possibilities of gaming, entertainment, communication
+2agreedisagree

•
Many possibilties for accessories: clothing, guns, wheels, boards, swords, etc.
+2agreedisagree

•
No more lost remotes, battle for the remote when viewing TV, movie content
+2agreedisagree

•
Great for kids
+2agreedisagree

•
Voice recognition
+1agreedisagree

•
Does not need "calibration"...it just works!
+1agreedisagree

Cons:
Do you agree?
•
Sometimes the abstraction of a controller is useful and can't be duplicated with motion sensor
+2agreedisagree

•
Voice recognition might not be available in all languages initially
+1agreedisagree

•
Vaporware
+1agreedisagree

•
The focus on lowering the barrier of entry to the casual user, may take away from the hardcore gamer's experience
0agreedisagree


3 people added to this review by submitting or voting on pros and cons. Add your say!
See individual votes »

Details

Demo'd during the 2009 E3 conference very little actual footage was shown of the device in real world situations, other than a brief manufactured promotional video and a small sample of prototype applications. From the conference Microsoft is making it clear that the Natal is targeted towards the casual expanded audience that Nintendo has captured with the Wii. Speculations on release date and price point are rampant, but nothing has been confirmed or even indicated.

Features

  • image capture through camera
  • 3D depth perception using IR sensor
  • voice recognition through built-in microphone
  • facial capture
  • track multiple people simultaneously
  • compatible with all Xbox 360s

 

 

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This report was started June 1, 2009 at 5:41 pm by Omar
with the last edit occurring November 8, 2009 at 3:51 am by fractalhorizon
This page has been viewed 368 times, with 30 edits by 4 contributors.
See the full report history »

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Comments

1.  avatar Omar said:

Overall I thought it was amazing technology, really ground breaking stuff. The low latency and high resolution internal models means it's very powerful. At the office we were talking about using it for sports games, and being able to 'dribble' in soccer, or pass the ball with Ronaldo.

But there's also the danger that we're going TOO far into the realm of 'realistic' control. In the abstract->simulation spectrum, you have controllers which are very abstract, Wiimote which is semi-abstract, Natal which is closer to similar, and then real life.

I think the Wii-mote has struck a good balance between abstraction and realism that doesn't require you to do TOO MUCH to get a good result. When you have the kind of capability of Natal when you can get very close to real, then it's going to be up to the software developers to strike that balance.

With the Wiimote developers are forced to compromise and design around the limitations, but with Natal they're not. And some developers may not have the discipline/design intelligence to properly restrain themselves.

Look at Tony Hawk Ride for example...
Jun 01, 2009 6:28pm
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Reviews

Sort by: Most helpful  •  Newest  •  Most positive

carlosco

avatar
November 3, 2009
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
78
negative
mixed
positive
7 pros
2 cons
love itlove it
want itwant it
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Pros

  • No need for a controller; YOU are the controller
  • Innovative new control paradigm expands the possibilities of gaming, entertainment, communication
  • Many possibilties for accessories: clothing, guns, wheels, boards, swords, etc.
  • No more lost remotes, battle for the remote when viewing TV, movie content
  • Great for kids
  • Voice recognition
  • Does not need "calibration"...it just works!

Cons

  • Sometimes the abstraction of a controller is useful and can't be duplicated with motion sensor
  • Voice recognition might not be available in all languages initially

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

Erik

avatar
June 2, 2009
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
71
negative
mixed
positive
5 pros
2 cons
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Pros

  • No need for a controller; YOU are the controller
  • Innovative new control paradigm expands the possibilities of gaming, entertainment, communication
  • Many possibilties for accessories: clothing, guns, wheels, boards, swords, etc.
  • No more lost remotes, battle for the remote when viewing TV, movie content
  • Great for kids

Cons

  • Sometimes the abstraction of a controller is useful and can't be duplicated with motion sensor
  • The focus on lowering the barrier of entry to the casual user, may take away from the hardcore gamer's experience

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

fractalhorizon

avatar
November 8, 2009
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
0
negative
mixed
positive
0 pros
1 con

Pros

Did not agree with any pros

Cons

  • Vaporware

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

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