Microsoft unveils new controller, Project Natal - bit-tech.net Forums

CardJoe · 2nd Jun 2009, 11:30

http://www.bit-tech.net/news/gaming/...r-project-na/1

Microsoft has unveiled a brand new control system for the Xbox 360, as well as a new game from Peter Molyneux.

Mentai · 2nd Jun 2009, 11:56

Based on the demonstration video I can't see this technology as being anything other than disapointing, but that's based on how awesome Nintendo made the Wii look. If it does work as advertised, it would be better than anything Nintendo offers, as you don't need any controllers and it has more functionality.
Wonder if it will take off without being bundled in at launch though.

Jenny_Y8S · 2nd Jun 2009, 11:58

So it's a high res eye toy with newer software? Erm... am I missing something big?

May well be cool, and will be interesting to see what people do with it, but I can't see it assisting much for the type of games people currently play.

proxess · 2nd Jun 2009, 12:07

It's an eyetoy with a wiimote and slightly better hardware and software.

lp1988 · 2nd Jun 2009, 12:10

Quote:

it could pave the way for an entirely form of gaming.

aren't you missing a word here? entierly new form of gaming.

pimlicosound · 2nd Jun 2009, 12:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jenny_Y8S

So it's a high res eye toy with newer software? Erm... am I missing something big?

Yes. It has multiple sensors, so it can detect and map your movements in full 3D. This means potential 1:1 between what you do and what your character does. It can also allow a player to reach out and "grab" elements of a user interface.

This is much more powerful than an Eye Toy, which can barely separate a human form from a static background.

Sir Digby · 2nd Jun 2009, 12:33

Hmmm, well if Mr. Molyneux promised it then it must be true

he's never made over-the-top promises before...

Watching the demonstration video it looks like it would be very impressive if it works though.

DXR_13KE · 2nd Jun 2009, 13:10

project christmas? that's a nice name.....

benjamyn · 2nd Jun 2009, 13:22

Peter Monolyuex (sp?) was showing this thing off.... so take all the claims and promises with a truckload of salt

Admittingly it looks interesting, i liked the idea of eyetoy but it was too simple/gimmicky. i may get this just for minority report style dashboard browsing and to play some mini games with the family

Skiddywinks · 2nd Jun 2009, 13:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by proxess

It's an eyetoy with a wiimote and slightly better hardware and software.

What on Earth are you talking about? A wiimote? What wiimote?! And slightly better hardware?

It is a much higher definition camera, that can identify, differentiate and track multiple items or people, and looks like it will offer the 1:1 movement that pimlicosound mentioned. Imagine the Red Steel trailers, where they made it look like everything you did happened in the game, rather than the reality where all Nintendo did was replace buttons with arm waggling.

Not only that, but I think the 360 hardware is significantly more than "slightly better" than the Wii's.

mclean007 · 2nd Jun 2009, 13:32

Video now on the BBC - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8077369.stm

mclean007 · 2nd Jun 2009, 13:37

...and it is all kinds of awesome.

benjamyn · 2nd Jun 2009, 13:49

I'm interested to see how well/accurate this thing works in reality and not pre-scripted trailers/videos :P

Trailers sure made the Wii look alot more accurate than it ended up being. So I'm a little skeptical

Drexial · 2nd Jun 2009, 13:51

Quote:

it could pave the way for an entirely form of gaming.

You the whole word, the whole thing.

I'll have to watch the video for this later tonight.

Skiddywinks · 2nd Jun 2009, 14:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by benjamyn

I'm interested to see how well/accurate this thing works in reality and not pre-scripted trailers/videos :P

Trailers sure made the Wii look alot more accurate than it ended up being. So I'm a little skeptical

Exactly why I both sceptical and enthusiastic. This industry is known for failed promises, but on the flip side, I am sure MS noticed this, and will make sure they deliver everything they promise and more. In all fairness, I don't think there are any details officially released by MS about Project Natal at the moment, so it is hard to know exactly what to expect or hope for.

BioSniper · 2nd Jun 2009, 17:05

Having watched the actual usage of it on the live stream last night it actually looks like it can do most of what it says. Best part was the demo was not without glitches so we can believe its reality rather than a "perfect" scenario.
Sure its a bit of a gimmick aimed at reclaiming some of that casual market and sure its a refinement of the eye toy but none the less, it IS interesting, specifically the usage of it in the dashboard.

zimbloggy · 2nd Jun 2009, 23:45

I am still a bit skeptical of the voice-interaction part.

Icy EyeG · 3rd Jun 2009, 00:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by DXR_13KE

project christmas? that's a nice name.....

No kidding... First Microsoft Sight (Vista) and now this?

Jamie · 3rd Jun 2009, 10:09

I hope this works out for Microsoft. If done right with the right software support I think this could open a whole new market for the console. Currently the games and features offered by the console appeal to a very narrow market and this is where the Wii has capitalised.

Blademrk · 3rd Jun 2009, 10:26

seems everyone is jumping on the motion controller bandwagon, did anyone see Sonys Tech conference last night? the wand/eye toy controller looked interesting (although a bit gimicky) too.

2nd Jun 2009, 11:30	#1
CardJoe Player Character bit-tech Staff Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 7,943	Microsoft unveils new controller, Project Natal http://www.bit-tech.net/news/gaming/...r-project-na/1 Microsoft has unveiled a brand new control system for the Xbox 360, as well as a new game from Peter Molyneux. __________________ this is joe's non-bit-tech blog

2nd Jun 2009, 11:58	#3
Jenny_Y8S She geek Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: UK Posts: 246	So it's a high res eye toy with newer software? Erm... am I missing something big? May well be cool, and will be interesting to see what people do with it, but I can't see it assisting much for the type of games people currently play. __________________ Asus P6T Deluxe, i7 920, BFG 285OC, 6gb, 7x1tb, Vista X64, Dell 2408, Dell 2001 Dell M90, T7600,3gb, Win7x64, Dell 2001 MacBook Pro 13" SnowLeopard

2nd Jun 2009, 12:07	#4
proxess Victim of AdvancedModernCapitalism Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The town of Love, Funchal Posts: 598	It's an eyetoy with a wiimote and slightly better hardware and software. __________________ Netbook: Asus eeePC 901; 12Gb SDD; Custom Ubuntu 9.04 Minimal Compiz Standalone. Laptop: Intel Centrino Duo T5500 1.66ghz; 2048mb RAM; ATI Mobility Radeon x2300; Hitachi 120gb iPod Classic 120GB; Maxtor 160GB External; Ubuntu 9.10 x64 and Windows 7 x64.

2nd Jun 2009, 12:33	#7
Sir Digby The Supprising Adventures Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Ye Olde England Posts: 1,057	Hmmm, well if Mr. Molyneux promised it then it must be true he's never made over-the-top promises before... Watching the demonstration video it looks like it would be very impressive if it works though. __________________ Angry internet men, I give up on you. Visit Game Engine, and contribute if you like.

2nd Jun 2009, 13:10	#8
DXR_13KE Madeira's banana is the best!!! Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Madeira ; Portugal Posts: 6,466	project christmas? that's a nice name..... __________________ *Renegade X - 0.40 Release!* <---- CLICK!

2nd Jun 2009, 11:56	#2
Mentai Supermodder Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: New Zealand Posts: 491	Based on the demonstration video I can't see this technology as being anything other than disapointing, but that's based on how awesome Nintendo made the Wii look. If it does work as advertised, it would be better than anything Nintendo offers, as you don't need any controllers and it has more functionality. Wonder if it will take off without being bundled in at launch though.

2nd Jun 2009, 13:22	#9
benjamyn Hypermodder Join Date: May 2002 Location: Aberdeenshire Posts: 793	Peter Monolyuex (sp?) was showing this thing off.... so take all the claims and promises with a truckload of salt Admittingly it looks interesting, i liked the idea of eyetoy but it was too simple/gimmicky. i may get this just for minority report style dashboard browsing and to play some mini games with the family __________________ - Benjamyn

2nd Jun 2009, 13:32	#11
mclean007 Officious Bystander Join Date: May 2003 Location: Nodnol Posts: 1,595	Video now on the BBC - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8077369.stm __________________ Demand Naked DSL in the UK!

2nd Jun 2009, 13:37	#12
mclean007 Officious Bystander Join Date: May 2003 Location: Nodnol Posts: 1,595	...and it is all kinds of awesome. __________________ Demand Naked DSL in the UK!

2nd Jun 2009, 13:49	#13
benjamyn Hypermodder Join Date: May 2002 Location: Aberdeenshire Posts: 793	I'm interested to see how well/accurate this thing works in reality and not pre-scripted trailers/videos :P Trailers sure made the Wii look alot more accurate than it ended up being. So I'm a little skeptical __________________ - Benjamyn

2nd Jun 2009, 17:05	#16
BioSniper I Mod, Therefore I Own Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Somewhere in the south Posts: 3,454	Having watched the actual usage of it on the live stream last night it actually looks like it can do most of what it says. Best part was the demo was not without glitches so we can believe its reality rather than a "perfect" scenario. Sure its a bit of a gimmick aimed at reclaiming some of that casual market and sure its a refinement of the eye toy but none the less, it IS interesting, specifically the usage of it in the dashboard. __________________ My Flickr :: Bit-tech Flickr Wii: 1792 1527 2926 7945 :: Xbox Live: BioSnipr :: PSN: Biosnipr

2nd Jun 2009, 23:45	#17
zimbloggy Multimodder Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 75	I am still a bit skeptical of the voice-interaction part.

3rd Jun 2009, 10:09	#19
Jamie bit-tech Staff Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 7,620	I hope this works out for Microsoft. If done right with the right software support I think this could open a whole new market for the console. Currently the games and features offered by the console appeal to a very narrow market and this is where the Wii has capitalised. __________________ bit-tech hosted by tsohost.co.uk twitter \| flickr \| xbox live \| last.fm \| moot

3rd Jun 2009, 10:26	#20
Blademrk Why so serious? Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Here Posts: 2,346	seems everyone is jumping on the motion controller bandwagon, did anyone see Sonys Tech conference last night? the wand/eye toy controller looked interesting (although a bit gimicky) too. __________________ The Bit-Tech.net X-Box Live! Leaderboard My X-Box Live & X-Fire GamerTag: BladeMRK WII#: 0379 8536 3210 2060 My Flikr albums Twitter