Mon, Feb 15, 2010 | 15:26 GMT
Natal will have five year lifespan, says Greenberg
Microsoft’s Aaron Greenberg reckons Project Natal will have a five year lifespan from its release this Holiday season.
Speaking with CVG, he said:
“The richness of the technology is going to really enable experiences that never had existed before. And we’re not just speaking about what we’re doing this year, but I think two, three, four, five years from now as this evolves.”
The exec also stepped away from comparisons to Sony’s EyeToy for PS2.
“We obviously could have done a motion controller if we’d have wanted to do that, but we felt that would be a much more interruptive experience. We had an opportunity here to really do something that’s transformative and brings a whole new category of experiences to life.
“Now we’re saying to creators: ‘We can see when you move your hand, when you move your feet, we can track your body. I can stand in front of this sensor and it can recognise my face and know if it’s me, or my brother or my sister.”
Greenberg confirmed at the weekend the camera is still at the codename status, but the full name for it could be revealed as early as E3.
Natal was confirmed for a Holiday release at CES at the start of January.
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Posted in: Hot, Microsoft, Xbox 360
Tags: Aaron Greenberg, project natal
19 comments
#1
Eregol
15/02/10, 3:30 pm
So, they’re not expecting it to be compatible with the next Xbox?
A 5 year lifespan suggests exactly that.
#2
cookiejar
15/02/10, 3:37 pm
Because the new Xbox will be just a dome you walk into, shut a sliding door, then clown about like a muppet whilst wearing a pair of 3D goggles.
If you wave your left hand in the air whilst in the dome, you will update your Facebook status, and post images of said actions to Windows Live Photo Gallery.
So yeah, Natal not needed!
#3
Psychotext
15/02/10, 3:39 pm
It’s more likely that they’ll have an upgraded version in place for the next xbox, rather than re-using old tech. (Higher resolution etc)
#4
mington
15/02/10, 3:41 pm
in 5 years time we’ll all have vagina shaped bio ports at the base of our spines
#5
Psychotext
15/02/10, 4:04 pm
Peasant! Some of us have had them for years.
…wait!
#6
mington
15/02/10, 4:07 pm
i got mine done at the weekend at my local ear piercing shop
still a bit tender
http://www.explore-science-fiction-movies.com/images/existenz-cyborg-implants.jpg
#7
reask
15/02/10, 4:25 pm
^ Ouch.
#8
The Hindle
15/02/10, 4:53 pm
I want those implants!! and i wonder if those rumours are true about it being like the eye toy probably just haters who say it. If it doesnt succeed though will Microsoft have post Natal depression
terrible i know
#9
NoxNoctisUmbra
15/02/10, 6:22 pm
LOL
Somehow I dont see any hardcore players play it in 5 years
#10
RGW1982
15/02/10, 6:29 pm
Natal Has FAIL Written All Over It.
#11
onlineatron
15/02/10, 6:33 pm
Natal has ‘probable success’ written all over it.
Microsoft will market it well, casual people will buy it (if around £50) and it should be implemented well into fun games.
I can’t see it being a failure.
#12
RGW1982
15/02/10, 6:39 pm
If You Call Moving Your Fingers Back & Fourth To Make Your Character Run Across The Screen Fun, Then Maybe.
In Terms Of Games Natal Has Fail Written On It, Now Having Something Like Natal For Internet Browsing & Browsing Files Would Be Fine, But Controllerless Gaming Is Just Terrible.
#13
onlineatron
15/02/10, 6:42 pm
‘If You Call Moving Your Fingers Back & Fourth To Make Your Character Run Across The Screen Fun, Then Maybe.’
Natal hasn’t the capability to make such minute movements register.
In terms of user interface I’d imagine it will be a roaring success. In terms of games we should see some interesting stuff, especially if it’s used in unison with a controller.
#14
Psychotext
15/02/10, 7:01 pm
Not entirely true. It just can’t do that at the same time as tracking the rest of your body.
#15
Whizzo
15/02/10, 7:06 pm
I wonder how much the blatant product placement in the most recent “Smallville” of Natal and the 360 cost MS?
#16
Psychotext
15/02/10, 7:54 pm
What was shown?
#17
Whizzo
15/02/10, 8:25 pm
You can see it here and there’s a good reason why he’s not on the couch with Chloe instead of playing with the 360, he’s really 12.
#18
NoxNoctisUmbra
15/02/10, 9:07 pm
^^^^ What happen to the first guy who plays as superman? is this the new guy? WTF are they thinking?
#19
Gekidami
15/02/10, 9:15 pm
I stopped watching Smallville ages ago, its the type of series that should probably actually have an end rather then go on forever. I’m surprised Allison Mack is still in it.