E3’09: New Project Natal motion sensing means there will be no Xbox 720
The end of the console cycle has been predicted with increasing regularity – but Microsoft has become the first platform holder to openly claim that its new platform will be part of its existing one.
Speaking of its brand new motion sensing technology, which dispenses with the need for any peripherals whatsoever, Xbox boss Don Mattrick stated: “This takes us into the new era of interactive entertainment without releasing a new console.”
In an impressive demonstration by Microsoft studio boss Peter Molyneux, Natal’s tech was showed off by a Lionhead created piece of software called Milo. With the ability to recognise voices and images, Milo, who took the form of an on-screen young boy, interacted very convincingly with an on-stage aid.
Molyneux said of Natal: “This is true technology that science fiction hasn't even written about.”
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Comments
Oh no...
Sounds like MS has been working on Skynet.
Natal
Natal is pure Sci-Fi at this stage. Anyone who has but a vague idea of how motion capture and video analysis work knows, the features shown in the (very nice) agency clips that were shown on stage at E3 are pure fantasy, in particular if one understands such a system is to incorporate a "low def" camera to be installed in households for a reasonnable price. Natal won't be released "in the next 18-24 months" as MS claims and this whole communication masquerade will therefore backfire one day or another....
Still Lacking Hardware
With Xbox360 hardware reaching its potential, this is an obvious move for MS. While PS3 will start looking better and better, MS can bite into the Wii Marketshare and still maintain their current base. Brilliant.
I seriously hope Sony got something up their sleeves. A red/blue controller and PS3 Slim is just not going to be enough in this Currgen Console War.
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