Microsoft Debuts Full-Body Controller-less Gaming At E3

quintin3265 writes "At today's Electronic Entertainment Expo press briefing, Microsoft unveiled Project Natal, a technology that eliminates the controller from gaming on the Xbox 360. In one demo, a player used her arms and legs to hit balls in an attempt to destroy a brick wall, and in another game, an employee threw virtual "paint" on a canvas to create a painting, even drawing an elephant using a silhouette feature. An accompanying video also demonstrated automatic login using facial recognition, videoconferencing with other Xbox Live members, and participating in a gameshow against another family through the Internet using speech recognition."

Comments

Activator

[Zero_DgZ]

Does anyone else remember the "Activator" controller for the Genesis/SNES? This sounds like an echo of that concept, but with updated technology that might actualy, you know... work.

Everything old is new again. Around and around we go...

Re:Activator

[Jurily]

Everything old is new again. Around and around we go...

No kidding. "Full-Body Controller-less Gaming" has already been invented. It's called "sport".

too much work

[MooseTick]

This sounds good, but not the end all. The Wii controller can make things fun, but anyone who has used it much know how tiring it can be to have to stand or use full body motions for games for an extended period. Sometimes I just want to veg out on the couch and play a game. If I have to flail my arms all over the place I'm going to often consider it more work than fun.

Re:too much work

[TornCityVenz]

The idea you have to get up and move...and even get tired is actually a selling point, just look at the sells of the Eyetoy for play station...or even more to the point the Wii fit. There are a lot of gamers who could stand a bit more activity, and once you get past a certain point it's just embarrassing to go to a gym..at least some can get a bit of exercise in the privacy of their own home.

Re:too much work

[Chabo]

Back when DDR first came out, one of my friends from high school bought it, and started playing it for 30-60 minutes every day.

In about 4 months, he went from a 220-lb pudgy kid, to a 170-lb lean, muscular guy. It was hugely impressive!

Re:too much work

[Trouvist]

And I'm entirely certain if you had asked him to dance at Prom or Homecoming he would have started hopping up and down moving his legs back and forth to the pace of the song...

Not A Real Metal Gear Game

[MediaStreams]

1. Kojima isn't directing the game

2. It's not a real Metal Gear game, just an action game with Raiden

3. It's multiplatform - PS3,PC, and Xbox 360

Even worse, just an hour after the Microsoft press conference an interview with Kojima quoted him essentially disowning the game.

 

Re:Not impressed... yet.

[citizenr]

Its not an input lag, the demo is staged. You can see it in couple of places where actors didnt replay exact moves from the screen. Whole "demo" is a wishful thinking.

Will it be standard?

[SoftwareArtist]

There's a long history of innovative, unconventional game controllers. Most of them are nothing more than interesting historical footnotes. Few people bought them and few games used them.

What makes the Wiimote different is that it's the standard controller for the console. It comes bundled with every single console sold. That's why game developers actually use it: they aren't restricting their market.

If Microsoft decides to bundle this thing with every Xbox sold, then it's a big deal. If it's an optional accessory that you have to buy separately, then it's another historical footnote.