Xbox 360 Natal. Do you plan on buying it?

[Chuck_Fiasco]

As soon as I saw the promo video for the Natal I was 100% sure I was going to invest in it. Who here is interested in purchasing the Natal? Regardless of the Rock Band factor of it. Discuss below.

[kiggidykev]

I'm not convinced at all that it's a worthwhile investment from the demos I've seen. The ones with kicking a ball around and driving a car by pretending to hold a steering wheel just looked silly and inefficient compared to using an actual physical controller. And that Milo game just creeped me the **** out. I'm not letting that into my house.

[DrifterUK]

I agree with Kev. That Milo thing was creepy

Overall, it doesnt look like something Id enjoy, and I probably feel really stupid while using it

[Transbrak]

I'm waiting, it looks cool but it also looks like a gimmick like the move and like 90% of anything on the wii.

If it works as advertised in all the demos and they manage to make some games that use the technology in such a way that it's fun for more than a few days I could see myself buying it.

[Nickalos N]

I plan on getting it day one

[ThatAuthoringGroup]

I have a very young daughter who is getting interested in the video games I play.

Of course they are far too advanced for someone her age.

I was thinking of biting the bullet and getting a wii(I bought one on launch day, but it just wasn't for me so I sold it six months later), but now I'm just going to pick up natal to get her some games for her playing level.

[JoshVanHalen87]

maybe, maybe not, i´ll have to see it for myself, if it worth it then yes.

[topperharley]

There's about a 1% chance that I will ever buy it. And that may be generous.

[Mystlyfe77]

I'll buy it if someone chops off my hands so I can no longer use a normal controller AND there's actually a good game for it. I highly doubt the 2nd thing will happen.

[Jglaubman]

Ehh...

Is there a price tag on it yet? I guess it depends on the price and what games are coming out for it... I have no intention of talking to Milo.

[Blackjack041277]

I don't see how it'll improve gaming at all except how it could eliminate problems with controller compatibility and having to switch controllers in games like RB. I think the only people who'll be really excited about this are those who are easily "wowed" by anything "new" and don't understand how pointless it really is. And even many of those will probably get tired of waving their hands and flailing their limbs after a while.

[Mex]

Some decent discussion in regards to this in another thread here (http://www.rockband.com/forums/showthread.php?t=187083)

[afterstasis]

i remain open-minded, but don't know much at all about it.

i rarely even buy games until i can find cheap used copies, so new technology like this really has to blow me away or be cheap in the first place.

[Lord_Mhoram]

It looks really cool, and I love motion controls... but I wait for games.

Assuming a price point of under 80 (which is what I understand that MS is trying for) - 3 must have games, and I'll grab it.

Pretty much my opinion on PS Move as well. 3 or 4 games and I'll grab the thing.

[Hungryfreak]

Without physical feedback these things will remain somewhere in the uncanny valley. The technology is quite interesting, though, and I believe that it is a great step in the right direction.

[hawkofva]

It has possibilities, depending on how devs work with it. I'm in the wait-and-see crowd.

[Sikaris]

I dislike motion control in general. So no.

[kingtonyx]

Yep, it'll be fun.

[Starfleet_Rambo]

Depends on how much it'll add to Rock Band if I ever bother.

Halo: Reach isn't going to utilize it, so the ball is in HMX's court.

[jonoo24]

Nope. The thing just looks like it would be silly.

Plus the 100ms lag is HUGE for a motion controller.

[KEWB]

Never heard about it until this thread. Very gimmicky sure, but if it's reasonably priced and I hear enough good things about it, I may very well get one. I'd love to have a RB game where I can scan my own guitar into it.

[nascarfan19]

I would like to buy it.

It completely freaked out my father when I showed him it. :p

[BuRn7 CaK3]

I'm not convinced at all that it's a worthwhile investment from the demos I've seen. The ones with kicking a ball around and driving a car by pretending to hold a steering wheel just looked silly and inefficient compared to using an actual physical controller. And that Milo game just creeped me the **** out. I'm not letting that into my house.


I agree with Kev. That Milo thing was creepy

Overall, it doesnt look like something Id enjoy, and I probably feel really stupid while using it

Milo was with the Playstation Move not Natal, IIRC.

[Daemius]

Milo was with the Playstation Move not Natal, IIRC.

You don't remember correctly. Creepy little boy was with Microsoft and Peter Overhypeseverything Molyneux.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPIbGnBQcJY

[BuRn7 CaK3]

I stand mistaken.

It just feels like a Move thing instead of Natal. Whatever. Both are stupid anyways and I won't get it.

[topperharley]

It just feels like a Move thing instead of Natal.

It feels more like the usual Peter Molyneux "this is going to change video gaming FOREVAR!!!" hyperbole.

[jonoo24]

It just feels like a Move thing instead of Natal. Whatever. Both are stupid anyways and I won't get it.

how does it feel like a move thing.

[bootz0rs]

Waiting until E3 and then waiting for a while after launch to see if it has any problems.

[BuRn7 CaK3]

It feels more like the usual Peter Molyneux "this is going to change video gaming FOREVAR!!!" hyperbole.

Very True!

[Explosion2]

No. That's what I have the wii for.

[jrcronlakers]

I may pick it up down the line. Like most things that come out it takes time to really push it to its fullest potential. Imagine having the members of your band being a bunch of Milos. Interacting with you as you make band decisions. Could have some real interesting possibilities for future RB games.

[BuRn7 CaK3]

No. That's what I have the wii for.

Sony's Move is like the rip-off of the Wii.

Natal is like the rip-off of Sony's EyeToy.

[Lawdog1521]

EyeToy.

Which is a rip off of both eyes and toys.

[Mystlyfe77]

Sony's Move is like the rip-off of the Wii.

Natal is like the rip-off of Sony's EyeToy.

Psssh, we all know that all of these are just ripping off the SEGA Activator (http://www.sega-16.com/Features/Genesis%20Accessory%20&%20Peripheral%20Guide/Activator.gif)

[BuRn7 CaK3]

Psssh, we all know that all of these are just ripping off the SEGA Activator (http://www.sega-16.com/Features/Genesis%20Accessory%20&%20Peripheral%20Guide/Activator.gif)

I didn't even know they did that! Hmm. Weird.

I guess Natal is more a rip-off of that than the EyeToy.

[hawkofva]

Anyone remember the Live Vision camera and Totemball? That was the EyeToy ripoff.

[Onslaught_fei]

No, **** Natal.

My xbox is fine without it.

[weeyoo]

Hmm...I guess I'll have to wait and see what it has to offer. Definately sounds cool though.

[Goatbuster]

Waiting until E3 and then waiting for a while after launch to see if it has any problems.

This, making a decision right now (either for or against) is pointless.

[animemetalhead]

Without feedback, motion controls will remain unimmersive and take away from the experience. I hope all these controls go the way of the Visual Boy and die agonizing deaths.

[bengino]

really interested in it, want to buy it day one but might have to wait and see what else will be supported by it. Don't really want an accessory for only a few titles.

[Mystlyfe77]

I didn't even know they did that! Hmm. Weird.

I guess Natal is more a rip-off of that than the EyeToy.

Except I was kidding. That works off of completely different technology than any of these camera and/or accelerometer based systems.

[The Highway To Hell]

Here my view on all the motion controls thingamajigs

Playstation Move - I see this moving the same direction as the Wii, which isn't a good thing I might add. Chances are I'm not buying this mainly because I don't have a PS3.

Project Natal - Looks very interesting but gimmicky at the same time. I'll wait for reviews and what it's compatible with before I decided to buy it (chances aren't being favorable a the moment).

Wii - OK I'll be honest, there is ONE reason and ONE reason alone that I own a Wii. And the answer is ONE simple word. Metroid.

[BuRn7 CaK3]

Except I was kidding. That works off of completely different technology than any of these camera and/or accelerometer based systems.

Oh. Maybe I wasn't actually looking at the image instead of the glimpse I did earlier. I have a tendency to do that sometimes.:o

[Chuck_Fiasco]

I have a feeling when this finally debuts a lot more of you will be interested in it.

[bermuddy]

all these motion based controls are just a fancy way to trick you into doing exercise and i will not be falling for it!

[Ehfahq]

I'm waiting, it looks cool but it also looks like a gimmick like the move and like 90% of anything on the wii.


Please stop using that word to discribe motion controls.

"In marketing language, a gimmick is a quirky feature that distinguishes a product or service without adding any obvious function or value. Thus, a gimmick sells solely on the basis of distinctiveness and may not appeal to the more savvy or shrewd customer"

The Wii is BASED on the motion controls.

[jonoo24]

I have a feeling when this finally debuts a lot more of you will be interested in it.

Just because you're the only one that's shows actual interest in natal?

No thanks.

[foofighterfan4Mccain]

When I saw the 1st video for it, I was like Nice buying this Day 1, looks helpful considering the features it has for making gaming better, cant wait till E3

[Mystlyfe77]

I have a feeling when this finally debuts a lot more of you will be interested in it.

I have a feeling when this debuts a lot of people are going to be very frustrated and will regret their purchases.

[IIISZABOIII]

I have a very young daughter who is getting interested in the video games I play.

Of course they are far too advanced for someone her age.

I was thinking of biting the bullet and getting a wii(I bought one on launch day, but it just wasn't for me so I sold it six months later), but now I'm just going to pick up natal to get her some games for her playing level.

This is my reasoning exactly, only with a 4 year old son... not daughter. I am debating on getting a Wii, but will more than likely wait to see what happens with Natal.

[IIISZABOIII]

And even many of those will probably get tired of waving their hands and flailing their limbs after a while.

I'm assuming you don't play drums in this little game called RockBand???

[animemetalhead]

I'm assuming you don't play drums in this little game called RockBand???

Yeah, but drums have the nifty little invention called tactile feedback, you know, that feeling that you get when you hit something with a stick?

Waving your arms around with no spatial reference points other than clues on the screen is unimmersive and flow-breaking.

[IIISZABOIII]

Yeah, but drums have the nifty little invention called tactile feedback, you know, that feeling that you get when you hit something with a stick?

Waving your arms around with no spatial reference points other than clues on the screen is unimmersive and flow-breaking.

Understood, and there is no way I would get Natal for Rock Band. I want to physically beat the tubs. I am sure there are some nifty little things that it may add to the game, but I would not get it for RB alone.

I was referring to the comment of getting tired of waving hands and flailing limbs, which is exactly what you do on drums... Regardless of tactile feedback or not.

I am looking forward to it if they can make it work well with fighting games (mainly loosing the lag that is present in the current demos) and to get that controller out of my kids hand and get him up and moving.

[Ehfahq]

Waving your arms around with no spatial reference points other than clues on the screen is unimmersive and flow-breaking.

That makes perfect sense as to why I dont enjoy Wii games that use motion controls. I dont "feel" it.

[pureebil333]

People complain about Wiis motion control yet this is worse, no one wants to stand up and jump around like an idiot (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09-yAnwiIRU). Natal is just a ripoff (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gOVj_I5npA) that claims it does things never seen before. Lag will be a huge problem too. Natal also has to use the 360 cpu which will limit games that use it.

[Ehfahq]

They should have called it Project Navel.

Because its about as useless as my belly button.

[Lawdog1521]

They should have called it Project Navel.

Because its about as useless as my belly button.

Your belly button was your sole life support conncetion for 9 months, Mr. Umbilical Cord Hater.

[IIISZABOIII]

no one wants to stand up and jump around like an idiot

I beg to differ... I can not view the vid at work and don't know how much exaggeration was put into the vid (if any), but I can not wait for the day where I can utilize a game (fun) on occasion or quite often, in place of my daily workout. The Gym and P90X get stale after a while.

I understand that a LARGE portion of the video game population consists of lazy, overweight, and people possibly under the influence of a substance or two that may make you want to just sit and use a hand held controller.

If I can play a fighting game that will cause me to burn calories, limber up, and allow me to use some of my Muay Thai and South Shaolin Kung Fu I would be all for it as I don't fit into the first two categories of being lazy and or overweight... and only am part of the third category late at night when I more than likely wouldn't feel like all the activity anyway....

My wife loves Yoga and I could see all kinds of ways for it to work with Yoga and possibly take the Wii fit deal to a whole new level. I for one am looking forward to standing up and jumping around like an idiot. I am in my own living room so I can be as big of an idiot at I would like and not worry about anyone watching.

[Ehfahq]

Mr. Umbilical Cord Hater.

Now thats a custom title.

[Mex]

I understand that a LARGE portion of the video game population consists of lazy, overweight, and people possibly under the influence of a substance or two that may make you want to just sit and use a hand held controller..

You just hit the nail right on the head. That's why it will most likely be no more than a niche product. Hardcore gamers will probably ignore it for the most part, the casual crowd already have their Wii's with their little fitness and yoga games....they're not going to buy a 360, then buy the Natal hardware, then buy Natal compatible games.

Too late to the party.

However, if this type of tech was built into the next gen consoles, it could be interesting.

As an add-on....well, has their ever been a motion control add-on that was hugely popular?

[Bardledoo]

Probably... only because I want the Wii-like controls with better graphics and better games.

[folkeye]

If it ever got truly worth investing in. Then maybe one day I get an Xbox. But for the few games I play right now, I don't know if getting a second system would be cost efficient for me. Not that huge of a gamer in general to want everything.

[jonoo24]

Probably... only because I want the Wii-like controls with better graphics and better games.

That would be the move, then.

[Blackjack041277]

If it ever got truly worth investing in. Then maybe one day I get an Xbox. But for the few games I play right now, I don't know if getting a second system would be cost efficient for me. Not that huge of a gamer in general to want everything.You could play with Drifter and me, too. :p

[macamatic]

Depends on the price and whether or not there will be any games worth getting it for. The Wii still doesn't have very many good games that are actually better because of the motion controls (basically, FPSes, Wii Sports, and Trauma Center), and I'm pretty skeptical about this being worth the money. I suspect that there will be a lot of titles with poorly implemented motion controls as a gimmick and a few gems with well-planned, well-executed motion controls that help the game rather than just being there, but not enough to justify buying it. Pretty much what we have with the Wii, only without Mario, Zelda, Smash, and Metroid to help make it worthwhile.

By the way, the Milo AI technology has NOTHING to do with Natal, so I don't understand why people keep bringing it up.

[jonoo24]

By the way, the Milo AI technology has NOTHING to do with Natal, so I don't understand why people keep bringing it up.

Because it was demonstrated and introduced with natal.

It's also how you interact with milo, which is the ****ing creepy part.

[Lawdog1521]

Because it was demonstrated and introduced with natal.

It's also how you interact with milo, which is the ****ing creepy part.

I still think it was mostly fake. It's not like MS pulled a random person from the crowd to interact with Milo.

[macamatic]

Because it was demonstrated and introduced with natal.

It's also how you interact with milo, which is the ****ing creepy part.
Yes, but it was abundantly clear to me even while watching the E3 press conference that the technology itself had nothing to do with Natal. It doesn't make sense at all that people would tie sophisticated AI technology to motion controls.

[Hungryfreak]

Yes, but it was abundantly clear to me even while watching the E3 press conference that the technology itself had nothing to do with Natal. It doesn't make sense at all that people would tie sophisticated AI technology to motion controls.

Natal isn't simply about motion controls, though. It's about advanced visual recognition AI. For the sake of motion controls, it interprets your movements and applies them. For the sake of AI, though, it can differentiate between things very well. That's what the Milo thing demonstrated (no matter how creepy it is, it served its purpose). It recognized different objects, body language and facial features. The learning ability may seem separate, but it is linked closely tied into the sensory link to the world and that it's constantly being fed information.

This is not to say I'm too interested in buying it for games, but I recognize the technological advances as a step closer to the virtual reality dream most gamers have. Once we advance the technology in Natal a bit further, then all we need is physical feedback, world immersion and unlimited movement. I'm pretty sure people are already furthing technology on the former of those, too.

[macamatic]

Natal isn't simply about motion controls, though. It's about advanced visual recognition AI. For the sake of motion controls, it interprets your movements and applies them. For the sake of AI, though, it can differentiate between things very well. That's what the Milo thing demonstrated (no matter how creepy it is, it served its purpose). It recognized different objects, body language and facial features. The learning ability may seem separate, but it is linked closely tied into the sensory link to the world and that it's constantly being fed information.
Ah, okay. I forgot about the facial recognition part...from the moment they started talking about it, I've been very skeptical about its usefulness and worth, so details like that eluded me. :p Now that you mention it, I remember something about it signing you in by scanning your face. Again, this all sounds cool, but not very practical.