I think about all the games the Wii can't play & wonder how Natal developers think anyone would want to spend big bucks on something that will only play nice with 80% casual games.
Ex-Microsoft Studio Manager Predicts Failure for Natal - UPDATED
- Thread starter Andy Chalk
- Start date
After reading the update, it still makes sense that the Natal is quite the risk, when you take in factors like SegaCD and 32x, as well as plenty of other console add-on/peripheral blunders of the past. But in the end, motion control is not going to replace the controls we have a love/hate relationship with today. Once N, MS, and S realize that it is a good supplement and not the new world order....then they can sell people on it a whole lot more.
If you want to see a quite cool control scheme for RTS's, watch this [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDwEY4aJfm8]. (No guarantees on if it is still there, Ubisoft doesn't seem to like free advertising and exposure.) I think you can figure what control system that would work with.CD-R said:
His comments may have been taken out of context, but he's possibly hit the nail on the head. Along with the hefty price tag, most "hardcore" xbox owners already think that the Wii is a children's toy, and won't buy a product that makes their precious xbox like the Wii.
I, for one, hope that it does well. I like the idea, but does anyone remember the <a href=http://www.ballbouncer.org/images/eyetoy.jpg>Eyetoy for PS2? Yeah, that went well...
I, for one, hope that it does well. I like the idea, but does anyone remember the <a href=http://www.ballbouncer.org/images/eyetoy.jpg>Eyetoy for PS2? Yeah, that went well...
Well , look at the picture ... the womans leg is kicking in the air but the avatar on screen has both legs planted on the ground, this shows theres a sizable delay in the tracking.
I also doubt it can seriously track subtle motion so it will most likely be limited to big broad expansive gestures... which translate into waving and kicking like a idiot at a screen.
Finally theres is the issue with space, at least in UK homes ... I can tell you there aint room in my house for kicking and waving arms about.
Its my opinion that this is more a move on MS (and Sony with thier motion controller) to encroach on the casual market that Nintendo have with thier Wii.
I also doubt it can seriously track subtle motion so it will most likely be limited to big broad expansive gestures... which translate into waving and kicking like a idiot at a screen.
Finally theres is the issue with space, at least in UK homes ... I can tell you there aint room in my house for kicking and waving arms about.
Its my opinion that this is more a move on MS (and Sony with thier motion controller) to encroach on the casual market that Nintendo have with thier Wii.
Splinter their consumer base? Microsoft?
You mean the guys who built their company on PC's and PC operating systems? And relies on the raft of related businesses who provide things like continually upscaling graphics cards to play ever more high tech games for those PC's who run their OS to supply that consumer base?
And then proceeded to screw that base by making ever more titles exclusive to a console they then came out with? Thus steadily killing off that massive group of PC owners and gamers through neglect?
That Microsoft?
No way.
You mean the guys who built their company on PC's and PC operating systems? And relies on the raft of related businesses who provide things like continually upscaling graphics cards to play ever more high tech games for those PC's who run their OS to supply that consumer base?
And then proceeded to screw that base by making ever more titles exclusive to a console they then came out with? Thus steadily killing off that massive group of PC owners and gamers through neglect?
That Microsoft?
No way.
Man has good points. Integrating the two would be the best way to introduce the new technology, as developers could work out how to add in the new features initially to supplement the standard controls and be assured that a large chunk of the market will be able to use it, as opposed to having to make gimmicky 'wide appeal' games to snag as large a portion of the market as is possible when so few are likely to buy an unconventional peripheral.
Will be interesting to see if there's any serious titles released with Natal. Whatever it's launch games are will help decide Natal's long-lasting image. If they only have a couple of sports and gimmicks games, the Natal will be an over-priced Wii, and likely remain that way. If they have even one standard-fare shooter, then there's still hope that it could begin to revolutionise gaming.
Will be interesting to see if there's any serious titles released with Natal. Whatever it's launch games are will help decide Natal's long-lasting image. If they only have a couple of sports and gimmicks games, the Natal will be an over-priced Wii, and likely remain that way. If they have even one standard-fare shooter, then there's still hope that it could begin to revolutionise gaming.
Even though his original comment may have sounded snarkier and more Natal-specific than intended, I'm inclined to agree with him. At 150 bucks a pop (or anywhere near that mark) Natal is pretty much priced out of the reach of a LOT of of Microsoft's existing base of users. Post-release, meanwhile, potential customers will apparently be asked to choose between the shittiest Xbox on the market with a Natal controller, or the top-end bundle with two games, a headset, a wireless controller, etc. I know which way I'd go.
And unless Microsoft is willing to spend serious bucks subsidizing game development, most studios making games for the platform are going to see a relatively small uptake and they're just not going to bother - further disincentivizing future adoption of Natal. It's a very real risk that this thing could bomb.
And unless Microsoft is willing to spend serious bucks subsidizing game development, most studios making games for the platform are going to see a relatively small uptake and they're just not going to bother - further disincentivizing future adoption of Natal. It's a very real risk that this thing could bomb.
Unless something soul-destroyingly depressing is shown between now and release, I am gonna buy it. When I saw it last year I felt the future had arrived. For £100 (I assume this is the ballpark price for the UK) I can have that in my living room? Yeah, I'm sold. I don't want to be playing nothing but party games a la Wii, but if it can integrate into some controller-based games too with voice-control and the occasional gesture, I think it can revolutionise games.
I wouldn't be surprised if part of Microsoft's evil plan for Natal includes some kind of deal with various government bodies, like security agencies (NSA, TSA). Since Natal technology is software-independent (or so they say), I think $150 for a camera that also outputs semi-reliable 3D tracking data is going to be much more interesting to non-gaming applications. I'm thinking along the lines of interactivity with personal robots, vending machines, and the like.Andy Chalk said:
If anything, the problem is that Natal is being marketed alongside games. As gamers, we see an expensive novelty peripheral, instead of a sensing device of unprecedented potential. I think we'll have to wait and see what happens. If they do a decent .NET implementation (better yet, .NETMF), I think we'll see Natal take off with maybe a worthwhile PC game or two in tow.
This [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-oArux66gA], one right?samsonguy920 said:
[Edit] Embeded for convinence
Natal is a waste of time. The premise of them doing this is not to succeed financially in the short run (nor make fun games) but to try to undercut Nintendo for long term profits.
Microsoft completely fails to realize that the Wii outsells them because of its price, not just its gimmick.
Microsoft completely fails to realize that the Wii outsells them because of its price, not just its gimmick.
Exactomondo! Looks like it would take a bit of practice, but it may just make several features of RTS commands easier.Silver Patriot said:
(Some cranky people on the Youtube page, thanks for the embed)
And suddenly I can see the plot for the remake of Fail Safe [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fail-Safe_(1964_film)], where the nukes are launched because of a RROD.CaptainCrunch said:
Come to think of it, I suppose Natal would bring new life to all the old school games, like Pong & Breakout, that controlled with a paddle.Galaxy613 said:
Only thing I can think of would be a normally controlled FPS with Natal tracking the player's head for subtle camera changes. Moving your head to the side would let you look around the corner. $150 is WAY too steep for such a feature, but if you already had it for other Natal games, it'd be neat.Wicky_42 said:
And I think it'll fail too.