Natal Expected to Stab Gamers in the Wallet at $149

[Tom Goldman]

Natal Expected to Stab Gamers in the Wallet at $149

The Xbox 360's Project Natal might not be as cheap as many had hoped.

Despite Edge Online [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/98485-Analyst-Puts-Affordable-Price-on-Project-Natal] has put the motion camera control system at an expected price of $149.

The source also told Edge that Natal will be bundled with an Xbox 360 Arcade unit for $299. Sony's Move, the PlayStation 3 motion controller considered to be Project Natal's competition, is expected in multiple bundles, but with a sub-$100 price.

Natal's name may also be in for a change, with the source saying it "definitely" won't be called Natal. As expected, Natal/MicroEye/GatesVision will be "heavily targeted towards casual players and families." It's possible that Microsoft's strategy here is to align Natal itself alongside the Wii, as if buying a Natal camera would in effect add a Wii to your 360, making it somewhat "cheap" in the eyes of the casual consumer.

While $50 would have been an easy buy for me personally, if Edge's source turns out to be correct I don't see myself purchasing Natal anytime soon. Microsoft will have to demonstrate that Natal can be used for more than a Pong/Dodgeball game and Natal at E3 [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/100101-River-Rush-is-Natal-Rafting-and-Molesting-Game], but for now this somewhat expensive price is confounding, if true.

Source: Edge Online [http://www.edge-online.com/news/natal-to-cost-149-%E2%80%93-source]

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[Zing]

How can it stab my wallet if I don't buy it? Muahah.

 

[Daystar Clarion]

Ouch. Well, fuck them anyway, I like pads more.

 

[Jack and Calumon]

All of a sudden those "The 360 is more expensive if you buy all the crap for it." Arguements just got some fuel. Oh joy... Glad I left GameSpot and 4Chan.

Calumon: Unless there'a fanboy or girl here! :S

 

[Redingold]

How many people here will still refer to it as Natal, even though that won't be it's final name? I know I probably will.

 

[Distorted Stu]

Jeez, i would only buy it for that price if it sang happy birthday to me while shooting chocolate gold coins.

 

[TerribleAssassin]

And another reason I'm ditching my Wii and screwing Natal up the arse!

 

[Daystar Clarion]

How many people here will still refer to it as Natal, even though that won't be it's final name? I know I probably will.

Natal rolls off the tongue, more so than 'Moneystealer 9000'.

 

[Simalacrum]

Hmmmmm...

I was always doubtful that Natal could have sold at $50... out of the 3 motion control systems, it seems to be the most advanced (Move may come in at a close 2nd, but it was developing on pre-existing tech, and therefore Natal would probably have taken more costs from an R&D perspective), which generally means a higher price tag, as seen in each console generations.

I do believe that such a price point could significantly hurt the system, especially considering the current economic climate - if they're targeting the casual audience, then they will likely fail with a high price point, as they will be looking for the cheapest option, i.e., they'll still go for the Wii rather than the flashy advanced devices.

 

[Seatownstriker]

Definitely not getting this one right away. Maybe later if they come out with some fun games for it.

 

[Kross]

How many people here will still refer to it as Natal, even though that won't be it's final name? I know I probably will.

Probably about as many people that still call their Wii "Revolution".

For the record, I still think "Wii" is an annoying name.

 

[Mister Benoit]

Meh a Wii Remote/Motion Plus with a Nunchuck goes for like 80-90$ in stores >.> 3 controllers costs more than 1console+controller... That's messed up.

 

[Irridium]

I really hope its not required for Fable 3.

The games coming out for the PC so I don't think it is, still though, here's hoping.

 

[Vampire cat]

How many people here will still refer to it as Natal, even though that won't be it's final name? I know I probably will.

...until you hear the actual name and discover its so catchy and simple you just can't help but call it that instead of freakin Natal =3.

 

[Drakmeire]

motion control just won't work for long, it was a nice experiment but sometimes you want to control someone else in a game, not just be yourself.
as Moviebob said "Sony calls the wiimote a lollipop, then 4 years later designs a F**king lollipop for it's own motion controller"
I think Microsoft should pay you for owning Natal since you going to break $150 worth of stuff when you use it anyway.

 

[Legion]

It won't harm my wallet considering I have more interest in buying a DVD Re-winder than this.

 

[DeadAccountMoveAlong]

We need to have a talk with that analyst from the last Natal news. But, I still think that a rafting/molesting game is all the interactivity we need. Well... not true. There's still...
Halo Reach: use Natal to perform realistic teabagging motions!

 

[Outlaw Torn]

$150 means it will be something like £200 over here, what with Microsoft's strange currency exchange rates. I wasn't going to buy one before, now I have yet another reason not to. I guess I won't be playing Totemball 2 any time soon then.

 

[IWCAS]

Fuck Microsoft I'm buying a PS3. Xbox's really are more expensive! This better not be "required" for ANYTHING!