Project Natal - will it be worth it?

[lupercal27]

I love new tech, but I don't predict Project Natal to be successful. I may be old fashioned, but motion controls are social and gimmicky at best and broken and awkard at worst. I can see how children would adapt and accept this new style of control, seeing how Wii is popular with the young ones (and what seems like 85% of all Wii games). The PS3 controller has some motion control, but I find that to add an unneeded element to games.

The titles for the Xbox 360 are mostly for the upper aged gamer. I can see Project Natal trying to sell more 360's to minors, but i believe the Wii owns that market.

What are your thoughts on Project Natal and motion-controlled gaming? The above are just one man's thoughts and opinions, I'm sure you all have your own.

 

[Mayonegg]

From a purely financial perspective, considering it'll be selling pretty cheaply, I think it will be worth it.

Will it be worth the wait and anticipation no doubt millions have on it? Well...I have heard very good things about the tech itself, but I don't know, I like to play and unwind (meaning sit down and eat junk food).

 

[The Real Sandman]

Natal will follow the same path as the Wii.

It'll sell very well, but end up gathering dust in the long run (not a slur against Nintendo, but come on...)

 

[TBR]

Depends on how badly players want to see the bottom of their avatars shoes I guess...



seriously, unless they give players a damn good reason to get it (because MS clearly has nothing against fragmenting their fanbase for more money), then it'll sell only as well as the games that use it. I think very few will see it and go "AWESOME IMMA BUY THAT LOL", more likely one of their favourite titles will have it and they'll just be forced to get natal to play it.

 

[RheynbowDash]

I dont care if it does well or not. I'm still gonna be in line to buy one and all the little accessories that are no doubt gonna be made for it.

 

[Fox242]

Doubt it. The motion control gimmick may have worked with the casual fans of the Wii, but the 360 has a different sort of fan base. I suspect that it won't sell very well. But even if it does, I suspect that the people who buy it will become very frustrated with it very quickly. So no, it won't be worth it.

 

[SkinsElliott]

Im looking forward to seeing what the Wii has taught us, lets just pray its better then "Your in the movies" I still cant get that thing to work lol

 

[Rush_Thores]

Damnit, I swear I keep posting this same opinion today. There needs to be just one thread about motion controls. I am not actually really aware of the pricing for Natal yet, but in the same vein of the Sony Motion deal, at first it will not be worth it. They've let Nintendo create an entire market formerly non-existent. Then sony/microsoft (hopefully) improves the technology while they have been establishing their strength in the hardcore gamer market. Now they advertise the hell out of it and wii owners will see it and be enticed to get their gimmickyness as well as bluray, or other games or whatever ps3/360 have to offer.

As to it being worth it for the hardcore, that depends. When I first saw the wii, I didnt care that everything was minigames for the most part because there was so much damn potential there. Then the years past and the wii is still 99% shovelware crap. Now, for the most part, all Ive seen for Move/Natal is minigames too, but the potential is there. It depends if they really make use of it. As opposed to the Wii who alienated the hardcore gamer for money, sony/MS could have their cake and eat it too by making more than minigame crap or effectivly incorperating the tech with AAA titles without making it mandatory. (EX: Allowing Move's use in LBP without forcing you to use it)

To roundabout to the original point is, its gonna be gimmicky (albeit HD) stuff we saw at the Wii's launch at first, so very unworth it. But I am completely open to sony and/or MS utilizing the potential and having the best of both worlds.

 

[lupercal27]

When I ask is it worth it, i mean more than just "is it worth the $x the stuff will cost gamers"

Is it worth it to Mindy Mount? (The CFO of Microsoft's gaming accessories division) Will there be a ROI? Is it worth the time / money in R&D? Is there really a desire for it from Xbox owners?

In my view, the Wii and Xbox 360 (and PS3 as of now) target different markets. I own a Wii but i only have it for like 4 games and for social reasons. And my childhood fondness for Nintendo may have had a part in the purchase. Nintendo seems to have targeted their sights on the next generation of gamers, something that I personally understand but don't like. I want an adult game for Metroid, Mario and Link. But Nintendo thinks of the long-term future.

Sony and Mickysoft seem to target the adult gamer, featuring more adult games and an adult pricetag.

I just don't see the whole thought if Natal being worthwile. To me at least

 

[Forktongue]

I agree that it'll most likely sell very well when it first comes out. Whether it'll be worth it will depend solely on the games made for it. I'm guessing that the line of games Microsoft plans to show at E3 will be like any other new system's. There will be a few eye-catching titles and a few generic titles that won't get much press.

What I don't agree with is the opinion that Natal won't do well since Nintendo already owns the casual gaming market. In a way that would be like if someone had said "Who's going to buy this Genesis thing? NES already owns the gaming market." or "No one will buy a Playstation because SNES is killing the competition." If the casual market is truly becoming interested in playing video games then it makes sense that they would eventually like more choice. Casual gamers will gravitate to the system or peripheral that cater's to their personal tastes.

Of course this might mean we get people who proudly call themselves "casual hardcore"....