E3: Greenberg: PS3 wand is "fun" like Wii Related content
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Microsoft at CES 2010 - Project Natal
- Interview E3: Microsoft's John Schappert [24]
- Interview E3: Post-Natal Discussion [79]
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E3: Greenberg: PS3 wand is "fun" like Wii News
Xbox 360 News by Robert Purchese
Xbox 360 bigwig Aaron Greenberg thinks Sony's motion-sensing wand for PS3 will share the same "fun" space as Wii, but believes Microsoft's Project Natal is "leapfrogging" them both.
"To me it looked similar to the Wii experience. You hold a remote or a wand: it looked very derivative of that - similar to other products on the market today," Greenberg told vg247. "I thought it was interesting and fun, just like the Wii is fun. I think it's great that they're sharing that space.
"What's clear is that what we're doing is, in many ways, leapfrogging over any of the experiences [demoed] today. We're trying to breakthrough... with a new controller in gaming and entertainment, and I think that will differentiate us, and in many ways remove another barrier to people who are intimidated by, not just controllers, but wands and having to push buttons and do things.
"To be able to just drive a car with your hands, or to be able to kick balls as you swing and kick your feet. It's a whole different type of experience," he added.
Microsoft and Sony both unveiled rival motion-sensing technology during their keynote addresses at E3. Microsoft revealed Project Natal, the heavily-rumoured camera-based motion sensor, which hopes to kick-start a controller-free future.
Sony, on the other hand, demoed a prototype wand controller that has in-built sensors like Wii but also a dome on the end that is picked up by the PS Eye. The technology was put through a number of on-stage demonstrations, each more impressive than the other, culminating in an archery mini-game that used two of the controllers at once.
Nintendo's conference was more subdued in comparison, but then the Wii already has motion-sensing, which improves this summer with the Wii MotionPlus peripheral.
Microsoft and Sony offered no release dates for their technology, and Greenberg wouldn't budge on providing a hint. Presumably his company will enter the market first, as developer kits have been sent out this week and Project Natal is finished hardware. Nevertheless, both could be at least two years' away.
Head over to our hands-on impressions of Project Natal to find out more.
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Poster
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2 years?
Wii Motion Plus is out this month. And it's about as good as PS3's tech. Natal is great technology, but I don't see it appealing to the casual market. I think those people really want something (simple) to hold. Holding your hands up in the air, controlling an imaginative steering wheel, how is that casual-friendly? I think Microsoft will do better to target the (semi-)hardcore with this. They are the ones who might want to spend $200 for full body motion control. If the games are good, which actually goes without saying. |
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I think the bigger news here is that a microsoft rep said something non-negative about Sony's product.
"To be able to just drive a car with your hands, or to be able to kick balls as you swing and kick your feet. It's a whole different type of experience," he added. Isn't Sony doing this in a limited capacity already with Eyepets? |
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Wastelander
04/06/09 @ 14:34
+1
Um, there's nothing stopping you holding a controller as well as having Natal running.
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Bigglesworth
04/06/09 @ 14:34
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@spekkeh
Backhanded compliment at best, which backfires due to the obvious popularity of the Wii. |
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Buenos_Estente
04/06/09 @ 14:40
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I think Natal will be lovely but i do believe that eventually some kind of buttoned controller will be used in conjunction with it for more complex functionality
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The Bodybuilder
04/06/09 @ 14:41
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@ idiotfoxhound
Have you realised that due to it being handsfree, it means one can use a normal controller AND project minority report together? |
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metalmike25
04/06/09 @ 14:43
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I think Natal looks great, as long as the games produced are good. Still not sure what the difference is between this and eyetoy though. Plus 2 years is a long time.
The sony one looks great fun although it's quite like the Wii controller. Either way it looks like Nintendo have had the biggest influence on games this generation |
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Here's hoping Microsoft have learned from the 360's earlier camera based offerings.
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I think you need to look at how you would apply the tech in microsoft's motion system to a game. People who play gears of war aren't going to be happy swinging their arms around in their living room. The PS3 and Wii version can be put into actual games and work really well when done properly, natal.... not so much
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I'm just waiting for someone to invent some method of controlling games where I can just sit in my armchair, which isn't directly in front of the tv, and chill out without having to move about too much. If I could munch a bag of crisps and take a sip of tea as well while playing that'd be great. Until someone does that, I guess I'm stuck sitting or standing directly in front of my TV, flailing my arms and kicking my legs out to play my games.
Edited 1 times,
most recently on 04/06/09 @ 15:52
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Wastelander
04/06/09 @ 14:53
+1
It's nothing like eyetoy or the previous xbox cam though.
It's all about the depthccam. The xbox interface is just testing the water. You'll all be using this as your next PC and media center interface, MS are going to push this tech for everything, not just the xbox arm. |
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Bigglesworth
04/06/09 @ 15:06
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It's nothing like eyetoy or the previous xbox cam though.
Actually apart from the static depth perception its *exactly* like the Eye, in terms of end result. @TopKatt Natal gives you freedom from sticky fingers (though I wouldn't want to be holding a cuppa while wafting my way through menu options...), and wireless motion sensitive controllers like the Sixaxis give you positional independance. Not sure how to marry the two concepts without a motorised camara that tracks your movement (or rather, your *position*, if you're laid on the sofa). edits: cackhandedness :(
Edited 2 times,
most recently on 04/06/09 @ 16:07
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Wastelander
04/06/09 @ 15:23
+1
There's nothing stopping you just holding up your standard xbox controller as a steering wheel if you needed to hold something or needed to push buttons.
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NoCodeNed2
04/06/09 @ 15:28
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Hang on didn't sony say spring next year?...just checked - yes they did.
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themorganator
04/06/09 @ 15:30
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It's been mentioned earlier but it needs to be repeated to some of the monkeys in this thread. Natal can clearly operate with peripherals (see the Mylo demo and the envelope), so we're very likely to see some form of gun or sword in the future. FFS, MS will make money from them so we'll see 'em!
The distinction between this and PS3 is the fact that you won't NEED to use a controller for some apps + you get voice recognition and FULL BODY mapping. Face it ladies, this is vastly superior on all fronts to the PS3 'wand'. If it takes 2 years, though, I for one will be seriously pissed off. Discuss, flame... whatever. You've got nothing but a Wii with better graphics. HAHAHAHAHAHAH wait for it......... |
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SidSinister
04/06/09 @ 15:31
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able to kick balls as you swing and kick your feet
But I am rubbish at football I am petty sure I could miss a open goal from half a metre away. When I play video games I don't want lack of physical skills getting in way of me being able to play a game to a reasonable level. Not to mention what It will be like when I am drunk. |
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TheStatics
04/06/09 @ 15:34
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Someone should really explain to MS and Sony that the majority of people that buy their games are pretty much happy with using a controller. The other lot have already bought a Wii and are unlikely to buy another console.
Surely an analyst somewhere will realise soon that there may not actually be a market for these novelty add-ons on the big boys consoles!
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most recently on 04/06/09 @ 16:34
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"There's nothing stopping you just holding up your standard xbox controller as a steering wheel if you needed to hold something or needed to push buttons."
Then why not just use the controller? Oh you mean use it AS a steering wheel, oh just like you already can with Mario Kart etc, so then this new technology allows you to do something you can already do? Aldo mentioned is the release of accessories, isn't this something the Wii has been criticized for, the amount of extra baggage you have to buy etc whilst the idea of being able to hold anything to use as something portrayed in the game (A plate for a steering wheel etc) just wait for the barrage of 1st and 3rd party tennis racquets, steering wheels, guns etc etc and the sad thing is, people will buy them. |
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I get the impression MS will release Natal when enough games are ready for it (unlike the Live Vision). I also agree that I don't think MS intend for Natal to stop at the Xbox afterall the voice recognition is lifted from Windows 7 (which is already multi-touch screen compatible). I would expect this on PCs shortly after the 360 release and I'm sure MS hope for TVs and set-top boxes a couple of years afterthat.
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That's BS talking. Actually Nintendo acquired a broad range of customers with their Wiimote and if he compares Sony's product with that it is a great compliment for the Sony product. I don't know what he means with this BS that Sony and Nintendo are sharing the same market segment. In fact this segment of casual gaming is the biggest segment in the video game market, so if Microsoft does not want to go there, what are they actually trying to do with Natal? As I said, BS talking... Oh another thing:
"Microsoft and Sony offered no release dates for their technology, and Greenberg wouldn't budge on providing a hint. Presumably his company will enter the market first, as developer kits have been sent out this week and Project Natal is finished hardware. Nevertheless, both could be at least two years' away." That's absolute BS. Sony sent out dev kits for their motion controller some time ago, presumably already last year. Natal is not finished yet, they only showed a prototype with additional cameras at E3 according to several other reports. Furthermore the device itself which was shown is only a non-functional prototype model. As the Natal video clearly states the scenes shown represent only a product vision. NO FINISHED PRODUCT OR HARDWARE YET. Just found the reference I was talking about: "The demo took place in a brightly-lit white room in the Standard Hotel in Los Angeles. A test version of Project Natal was set-up, including a camera over a TV and some other sensors. (None of Microsoft's Natal demos tonight used anything that looked like final hardware)." http://kotaku.com/5275204/testing-molyne...
Edited 1 times,
most recently on 04/06/09 @ 16:46
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AphoticCosmos
04/06/09 @ 15:49
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All three motion controllers are great.
Please stop the fanboy wagon, I wan't to get off. |
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*Cough* Eyepet *Cough*
Its amazing isn't it, Sony showed this off last August to a muted response and yet its not that far removed from what MS was touting as the "future". http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/04/impres... Judging by this hands-on, it looks great, works as a game and should be out by the end of the year. |
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I think the biggest flaw with most of the arguments MS make against sony with this one is the fact that because the sony tech also uses a camera, the only thing natal can do that the pseye can't is depth perception. A lot of the features like body mapping (on a more basic level) and voice recognition are completely possible with the sony technology as it is entirely software based. The pseye actually has quite a good mic if I do recall so voice recognition shouldn't be a problem at all. I think that while the PS3 tech is leaning more towards the wii, I would genuinely consider that a good thing. Natal is amazing technology and all, but I can't see it playing well in games. For a start, the eurogamer hands-on said that there is a slight delay with the mocap (not gamebreaking but noticeable enough to comment on) and some things just need a controller. Sure, they could sell peripherals that enhance the experience but then they are just doing exactly what sony have done- used a camera to detect a physical object and map it to a game.
The sony thing looked like how we all imagined the wii would be like before it was released. We all dreamed of real-time lightsabre duels but unfortunately the tech didn't deliver. Sure, they've got WMP coming out which should sort the technology out, but nintendo have been such moneywhores these past few years that I just don't give a flying f*ck. So my money is currently sitting very tentatively on the PS3 attempt here, but only because it looked like a wii for big boys. |
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Must admit that it's a great achievement by MS PR that they weren't LOL-ed from the stage after showing a rebranded EyeToy a couple of years too late... It would be great if video game journalists weren't such fanboys* and were able to call bullshit when they see it... :(
* I don't mean for any brand in particular but with respect to gaming in general
Edited 1 times,
most recently on 04/06/09 @ 17:17
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Considering he actually said this:
"To be able to just drive a car with your hands, or to be able to kick balls as you swing and kick your feet. It's a whole different type of experience," he added. Suggests that they're pushing this as controller free which i think is utter rubbish, just imagine playing a racing game without any physical controller or feedback.. it's ridiculous. That comment about people being intimidated by buttons is hilarious, the Wii has successfully introduced a simple controller/button layout to millions of children and old folks who love it. Do you know anyone who could be intimidated by a wiimote??? The whole appeal of the Wii was to hold a controller and feel as if you were swinging a racket for example, what fun or sense of immersion is there from swinging your hand instead!! Suppose they could make a happy slapper simulator :) |
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So if Bethesda would implement Natal into Oblivion then I would be able to a) find a stick and make Natal recognise it as a sword. They don't really make "force-feedback swords" anywhere. I could dodge blows from the enemy as well - and b) use a pillow for a shield. I think that is more amazing than Wiimotes. Anyone looking through the window would see me jumping around holding a stick and a pillow whereas I am immersed in fighting with a sword and shield ;D
My only concern is focus, which might be okay if facial recognition works properly. With focus I mean, the person that the Natal focuses on to take input from. Steering wheel? You can use what you want. If you don't want a steering wheel you don't have to use one. But Natal doesn't provide force feedback or rumbling. With something this "real" people might want to feel some feedback (we use it in RL to judge how hard to hit a ball for example). But then again Sony's redballstick (someone at work called it a dildo hehehe) doesn't look like it provides any feedback either to the user. Side note, Natal might make RTS games easier to control.
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most recently on 04/06/09 @ 17:35
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Well, what I know for sure, is if MS had the wand instead, and Sony the Natal, the course of this debate would have been roughly the same, but opinions would come from diferent posters.
- MS copying Wii (omg; lol!) - this would spawn, that's for sure!
Edited 1 times,
most recently on 04/06/09 @ 17:34
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