E3 Natal premiere by Cirque du Soleil

By Tom Bramwell Published 14 May, 2010

"Technology-free event" explained.

Microsoft's pre-E3 Project Natal showcase will be, "A spectacular live performance imagined by Cirque du Soleil," according to US invitations.

The platform holder confused the press earlier this month by insisting that the Sunday, 13th June affair would be a "Technology-free event". "Please leave your technology at home, no photography or video allowed," it said.

Cirque du Soleil is a Canadian outfit that does slightly bonkers shows mixing dance and circus acrobatics. This sort of thing.

The invite doesn't explain how the group is involved in what's described as the "World Premiere Project Natal for Xbox 360 Experience", but presumably they're not going to do star jumps and whack balls at bowling pins.

Microsoft will hold its traditional E3 conference a day later, where it is expected to price and date Natal and show off the hands-free controller's launch line-up.

The Xbox 360 firm is well known for its love of E3 stunts. As well as using the trade show to announce that previous PlayStation-exclusive series like Grand Theft Auto and Final Fantasy would also appear on its platforms, it's known for bringing in the celebs - last year managing to rustle up the non-dead Beatles and Steven Spielberg.

Thanks to Microsoft, we have also seen Duffy perform live. Breathtaking.

Picture of Tom.

About Tom Bramwell

Tom is Operations director of Eurogamer Network and Editor-at-Large of Eurogamer.net. He joined the company in February 2000. Follow him on Twitter.

Read more articles from Tom by visiting the Tom Bramwell archive page.

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Comments (27) Latest comment 2 years ago

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  • OldK1ngCole #1 2 years ago

    Went to see Cirque du Soleil at Disney World in Florida. If you've got an invite to this, your in for a treat.
    Edited by OldK1ngCole at 14/05/10 @ 08:50

  • RodHull #2 2 years ago

    Rather than splashing the cash for this pomp couldn't they have plumped for am XBLA update of Knightlore or Atic Atac?

  • Sanxo #3 2 years ago

    Information-free, more like.

  • Widge #4 2 years ago

    This should be most impressive, will look forward to seeing/reading the coverage. I did think when I read about it yesterday "shit me, thats how to do a launch!.

  • 52pickup #5 2 years ago

    MS have also partnered with MTV,so expect fun and frolics with A list celebs like Justin Bieber,Heidi Montag and Carson Daily... Yeah i've never heard of them either.

  • schnide #6 2 years ago

    The non-dead Beatles. Oh how hilarious (especially the second time around).

  • mcmonkeyplc #7 2 years ago

    Lolz it's during the world cup! They should've done this in South Africa.

  • Geordiemp #8 2 years ago

    Sounds good for the journalists and visitors, maybe to whoop them into liking whats on offer.

    Would rather than throw there money at some solid game play mechanics for natal. A footy game would be interesting

  • Widge #9 2 years ago

    No, I think its nice to know a company “gives a shit” about its product. If you’re going to buy into a bit of technology like this, it is reassuring to know that the company is right behind pushing it hard and making it a success. Thats one thing I don’t like about Sony’s “dump it out there and wait for it to sell” approach.

  • kangarootoo #10 2 years ago

    I rather like Cirque de Soleil.

    However, a Natal event that is technology free? A live performance "imagined" CdS?

    The whole thing smacks of a PR show that has very little to do with the actual product itself. I'd be far more interested in seeing some actual tangible info about Natal games than I would some undoubtedly talented acrobats.


    Will Sony do a move show where everyone takes part in school sports day events? Will Nintendo do a 3DS show where everyone sits on cushions and talks about their feelings?

  • lockload #11 2 years ago

    I went to Cirque du Soleil when i was in vegas it was amazing

  • Mkwone #12 2 years ago

    If i need a group of acrobats, a highwire and a trampoline to play natal i'm out i'm affraid. I'm not moving the couch every time i want to play.

  • ybfelix #13 2 years ago

    But, MTV's gonna live boardcast the Natal premiere anyway, why only they are allowed to "technology"

  • Eighthours #14 2 years ago

    I saw Cirque du Soleil last year in "O" at the Bellagio in Las Vegas. Most spectacular show I've ever seen. Breathtaking stuff.

  • sneetch #15 2 years ago

    @ybfelix
    But, MTV's gonna live boardcast the Natal premiere anyway, why only they are allowed to "technology"

    I believe it's likely they're afraid the hundreds of camera flashes and video lights from the audience could interfere with the performance of Natal.

    Or they're afraid it'll startle Natal who will break free of its bonds and climb to the top of the Empire States building carrying a young intern. Can't be too careful after the last time. ;)

  • sneetch #16 2 years ago

    @kangarootoo
    However, a Natal event that is technology free? A live performance "imagined" CdS?

    The whole thing smacks of a PR show that has very little to do with the actual product itself. I'd be far more interested in seeing some actual tangible info about Natal games than I would some undoubtedly talented acrobats.

    It's really just a no cameras policy.

    You might be right but I can think of few people better able to give an impressive demonstration of full-skeleton tracking than the Cirque du Soleil people. :)

  • kangarootoo #17 2 years ago

    @sneetch

    Ah ok. I thought they literally meant this Natal event will not actually have Natal present at it. I thought it was just going to be a circus show, "inspired" by Natal in some way.

  • Skooch #18 2 years ago

    Seen Cirque du Soleil twice, most recently their 25th anniversary show at the V&A. Top drawer stuff, just hope it doesn't overshadow Natal :-D

  • Doctor_What #19 2 years ago

    Speaking as a circus guy (many strings) it's bloody annoying and sometimes very dangerous to have a load of flash cameras going off at crucial points during your performance. They might have banned cameras so the performers don't die!

    I'd love to see what Natal thinks of some of the contortionists that I've known. There was one girl who could put her legs...

  • makeamazing #20 2 years ago

    You might be right but I can think of few people better able to give an impressive demonstration of full-skeleton tracking than the Cirque du Soleil people. :)

    Perhaps this is why MS has got them because they are flexible, after last years E3... they will be hoping they can do that special leg/ move to match the avatar character. ;)

  • kangarootoo #21 2 years ago

    "Top drawer stuff, just hope it doesn't overshadow Natal"

    Cirque de Soleil overshadow Natal?

    Sorry to say, I feel that is almost guaranteed ;)

  • sneetch #22 2 years ago

    @makeamazing
    Perhaps this is why MS has got them because they are flexible, after last years E3... they will be hoping they can do that special leg/ move to match the avatar character. ;)

    In that case I hope they have a team of surgeons on stand-by. :D

  • Les #23 2 years ago

    "The whole thing smacks of a PR show that has very little to do with the actual product itself."

    Exactly. Doesn't sound promising. Was expecting smoke and mirrors, but not of this kind... ;)

  • busboy33 #24 2 years ago

    "The whole thing smacks of a PR show"

    well, not to be pedantic but this IS a PR show. So is the MS press conference the next day. So is Sony and Nintendo's press conferences too.

    As long is isn't an excuse for not actually having a product, that's fine. Unless they just throw a box with Natal in it at the crowd and walk away, the premiere is going to have some element of showmanship, and any company would and will do the same thing. Trying to build good public relations about the product? Yes, that's sort of the goal.

    Won't change the ultimate outcome. They could have all the Beatles living and dead there, but if the system sucks nobody is going to run out and say "It's great! Well, actually it was horrible, but did you see John? WooHoo!!". Either MS has the goods ready to deliver (in which case CdS is just impressive window dressing) or they don't (in which case CdS won't make a crappy product good).

    Definitely put up or shut up time for Natal and MS.

  • gnrlstuart #25 2 years ago

    notice that while Sony got their move info out earlier, they will no doubt have less surprises at E3 than ms, who like to keep quiet throughout the year in order to pull off a monster e3.
    last years ms conference was really tight, engaging, and got me really exited. although it did feel a little commercial compared to Sony's more down to earth performance.
    looking forward to more Felicia day this year!

  • makeamazing #26 2 years ago

    Microsofts E3 last year was very slick, in fact they over slicked it with "futuristic" natal videos, that are in no way representative of the final product. I am hoping this year we will see more substance, and less marketing/fake videos. And hopefully see games, as that will make the difference.

  • Raya #27 2 years ago

    So Natal isn't exciting enough on it's own it needs the world best and most artistic circus performers to spice it up. Is that the message?