Microsoft recently announced that their annual E3 media briefing will include the "Project Natal Experience." Microsoft's take on a hands-free control system was announced at last year's E3 and has been one of the most anticipated new elements for the Xbox 360 console. The pure capabilities of Natal resembles the Terminator series' Skynet computer, but I hope it's safe to say we won't need the California governor to save the world anytime soon.
Natal boasts a revolutionary control system which seamlessly integrates the player's body into the scene or game. See a ball on screen? Hit it, kick it or even catch it. Natal is designed to completely change the way we perceive gaming in 2010, and Microsoft is certainly doing a good job at that. During E3 last year, Project Natal designers showed the world a small taste of what the software was capable of. Natal is not only equipped with motion sensitive dynamics but also facial and vocal recognition.
Even the legendary director Steven Spielberg is on board with Natal:
"This is a pivotal moment that will carry with it a wave of change, the ripples of which will reach far beyond video games" |
Surely Microsoft will have even more resources to show us in the coming weeks as E3 approaches.
Microsoft has said Project Natal will be available by this year's holiday shopping season, but hasn't said how much it will cost. In November, British games magazine MCV reported that sources said Project Natal should cost under 50 British pounds ($74) when sold separately.
As for the Project Natal Experience, Cirque Du Soleil will have a special performance during the event which will premiere to the public on MTV and other networks on June 14th.
