 Project Natal Many of you will already have the Nintendo Wii and no doubt some of you only really got into video gaming because the Wii does what conventional consoles like the XBOX 360 and PS3 cannot do; allow you to control the game play through natural body movement - rather than sitting on the sofa getting sore thumbs on a controller! The Nintendo Wii with its sensor bar and Wii-mote was groundbreaking technology that made the gaming experience attractive to every member of the family. Of course Microsoft, being the technological leviathan that it is, had its nose put squarely out of joint by Nintendo’s stratospheric success in the family entertainment market. The XBOX and XBOX 360 are targeted towards a mainly male audience, whereas the Wii is just as appealing to mum and the girls as it is to dad and the boys. So Microsoft has decided to do something about it and as expected of the Big M, they are taking gaming to the next level! Lately I’ve been reading online and watching videos on YouTube about Project Natal from Microsoft. I read about this project in the media a few months back and immediately my ears pricked up! Project Natal is the codename for a "controller-free gaming and entertainment experience" currently being developed by Microsoft for their XBOX 360 console. Basically, what they are |
In a world where technology moves at an astounding pace, DaC Network Administrator Jonathen Winterburn takes an occasional look at the latest gadgets… JON ASKS WHAT’S NEW? |
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 Is Microsoft’s Project Natal going to be the ultimate gaming experience? |
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doing is introducing a sensor bar
for the XBOX360, which provides the same motion-sensitive
functionality as Nintendo’s sensor bar… but without the need for
a controller! So how does it work? The sensor bar utilises full skeletal tracking (customised for each user profile through a body scan) to ensure that whatever moves any part of your body makes, the game responds accordingly, making the whole experience completely immersive. If you want to play football in a FIFA game, you simply run and kick as if you were playing football. Perhaps you’re playing a combat game – no need for controllers, just fight the on-screen opponent by making all the moves you would if you were actually up against him! Or if you want to buzz in on a game show, you simply smack your fist like it’s a buzzer. The sky is the limit. If you want to use some of your own gear in a game (skateboard, weapon, |
clothing etc) you can scan it in
and it is immediately available for you to use in any game. Unfortunately I’ve been unable to procure a test-run on this fantastical gaming experience as Microsoft has been very restrictive with whom they will allow near Project Natal. Still, their own propaganda certainly captured my imagination and from what I have heard from the lucky few who have had some exposure to the goodies, I know one thing: I must have this as soon as it comes out! I don’t think either my article or the accompanying photo will do this futuristic gadget the justice it deserves, but I hope I have piqued your interest. So even if you’ve read about Project Natal before, why not spend a few minutes watching the videos showcasing this cool concept online at www.xbox.com/en-US/live/projectnatal. Enjoy! Jonathen Winterburn |
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