Project Natal "full line-up" at E3

By Tom Bramwell Published 9 March, 2010

"Very strong" software support pledged.

Microsoft plans to show "the full line-up" of Project Natal software at E3 in June.

That's according to Entertainment & Devices division CFO Mindy Mount, who told the Jefferies Annual Global Technology Conference (thanks IGN) to expect "very strong first and third-party developer support".

"Needless to say, we're putting some of our best people on coming up with great game ideas for this, and we're going to have some great stuff," Mount said.

"As a history, Microsoft works very strong with third-party developers, so we're hoping that we're going to get some great titles from that. You'll be able to see more news about that this summer at E3. We'll show you the full line-up."

Microsoft was caught showing Project Natal off to celebs and other "opinion formers" recently, but unfortunately the main opinion formed was that it was "not quite there yet", to quote TV presenter Jonathan Ross.

This led to lots of furious back-pedalling as PRs were forced to confirm that Woss and company had only seen last year's E3/gamescom demo of Ricochet, and had not seen any updated kit.

Microsoft Games Studios Europe boss Peter Molyneux subsequently expressed his dismay at having to use ageing demos, claiming that "countless revisions of cameras and countless revisions of software" had taken place since the demoed material was originally produced.

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.

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

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Comments (27) Latest comment 2 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • Ryboy #1 2 years ago

    Meh.

  • davisorle #2 2 years ago

    Now that sounds promising. If they actually already manage to showcase a strong lineup so early, meaning comming E3, I'll actually be impressed. I can only hope since new tech is always something intriguing to me, no matter.

  • Shikasama #3 2 years ago

    Mindy Mount!

    Bow chika bow bowwwww

  • matrim83 #4 2 years ago

    I got 100 bucks that say there will be -

    1 An excercise game
    2 Tennis game
    3 Bowling game
    4 Dance game
    etc etc.

  • Anthony_UK #5 2 years ago

    Hmmm I really don't think motion control is the future of gaming, more of a passing fad. Some of the tech behind this does look impressive, but I think Microsoft may be abit late to the party (Sony also) and has a very realistic chance of just looking like Microsofts answer to the eyetoy to the average joe in the street.

  • Widge #6 2 years ago

    Motion control isn't the future of gaming, its an addition to gaming.

    I've got an inkling that Microsoft are going to slap Natal into every bundle and are going to do everything to encourage an attach rate for the hardware. Developers will like this sort of thing.

    Sony have been kind of quiet (which must be a delight to everyone as, you know, its always "shut up Sony ffs and only show us stuff when its finished";) but I've got this inkling that Sony will just stick it out there and expect it to be bought. Developers will not like this sort of thing.

    Be nice to be proved wrong though.

  • Negotiator #7 2 years ago

    The future is nigh.

  • MeBrains #8 2 years ago

    davisorle: new tech is always something intriguing to me

    is it? then why are you continuously lashing out to PS3? they engineered a completely new processor for it _and_ succeeded to make it one of the fastest still...

    as for this: it would have been entirely surprising news if MS would have said "we have a so-so line-up" instead of "very strong".

  • davisorle #9 2 years ago

    @MeBrains

    Im doing what? I dont undersand why you get so butthurt for no reason. I'm impressed for things that do matter. Like my new i7 965 CPU for my PC. When i know that the Cell is so far an issue to developers I dont get what you want me to admire in the wrong steps Sony has taken. Like I liked the idea of an iPhone touch before it was released, i love the fact knowing i can use the enviroment around me as a full RL sandbox and so on. Even if for a stupid excuse in each genre just for the fuck of it.

    I really dont get whats the point of your question. I have a list f a PS3 slim to buy and about 5 games. GOW the collection 1/2 remake + III + heavy Rain + Deamon Souls. Thats all im interested in. And might getr the FFXIII on the PS3 if I end up buying it. Im not against Sony, Im just not impressed and I dont know whats in it to you when im a full selfaware consumer when it comes to electronics. Not just consolewise. I actually cant give a rat's ass most of the time.

    Like I said in the first place: new tech is always intriguing to me. Like it will be when actuall 3D glasses come out ( that you can look around and not just add some cheap tricky effects around your screen on your 120Hz screen ), im also hoping to see some cool shit or even A.I. interaction thourgh Natal. Or even show the middle finger to someone on Fable 3 for all i care it will be something different and of actual use.

    Now, if MS promises to bring out a strong line up made me be excited about next E3. Which ofc means that if they are full of it and they dont show anything impressive I'll get turned off to the extreme with the piece of hardware. What is too hard for you to understand from my point of view, or that I actually had to explain to this extend?

  • MeBrains #10 2 years ago

    davisorle: where do you read me being butthurt? i am not. I am only reacting to you lashing out to (or having lashed out to) Sony in the past. Yes, the processor proves hard to program for, but that is a bit normal with it being / having been an entirely new CPU. it was a bold move and while it might not have been the best move business wise, the move is something we should be grateful for.

    anyhows. with what you said further: i stand corrected... cheers.

  • WinterSnowblind #11 2 years ago

    A lot of people are quick to bash Natal, but if they get some decent games going for it, I think it's going to be pretty interesting. Really dying to see Black & White 3 and a sequel to Viva Pinata running on the thing.. Games that could really take advantage of the unique control method, rather than being a gimmicky inclusion.

    Let's just hope they aren't focusing on fitness and minigame collection titles.

  • altitude2k #12 2 years ago

    "Bring on the wall!"

  • davisorle #13 2 years ago

    @MeBrains
    lol, anyhow. Doesn't matter. I guess it seemed like it. But no, I dont go out lashing to PS3 unless i have reasons. Just like i'll do for the 360, my country's issues ( Greece, so way too often lately :p ), my new job or anything. There is nothing personal against PS3. Not it's fault that Sony hasn't learned their lesson. That's why im hessitant yet about to go buy it. My movie needs are all through my PC which is connected with my THX speakers and my HDTV so I always see the PS3 as a console only.

    Anyhow, my real problem right now is that Fermi ( GT 480 ) isnt as good as Nvidia promised and I will have to get me one or a pair of ATI's 5970s :p See? now those are real issues :) Plus, Natal is said to be used on the PC too so I would soooo love to see it commbined with 3DVision or eyefinity etc and not just for confferences on the PC.

  • Dark_Stranger #14 2 years ago

    I expect there to be a high percentage of so called party games, but let's hope some dev's actually want to develop & develope some gamer games!

  • Murton #15 2 years ago

    Looks like E3 will be the moment of truth for Natal. Has the camera hardware and software really improved as much as Molyneux claims that it has and will the first game offerings be any good.

    Personally I'm sceptical about camera improvements as they'd surely have updated their demo kit before taking it on the road in an attempt to gain celebrity endorsement, the games however will be the difference maker between utter failure and a shining success, and so MS have been unusually quiet about those, so we might be in for a pleasant surprise come E3.

  • andromeda #16 2 years ago

    now the 360 can become a shovelware magnet too...

  • Chazmeister #17 2 years ago

    How about making a Japanese Hentia style game for it called "The Masturbation Clinic", where you have to..... well that probably doesn't need me to say really. If it doesn't out sell Wii Fit, or whatever the top Nintendo seller is, then I'll eat my underpants.

  • raion #18 2 years ago

    I hope we'll soon see a game that uses both Natal and *gasp!* the controller. So when I read the umpteenth "But I dont want to wave my hands around like a maniac!" I can reply "Guess what? You don't have to."

    Oh, and I'd LOVE a Natal-exclusive boxing game. You know. Like Wii Boxing only... working.
    Edited by 2 at 09/03/10 @ 18:00

  • makeamazing #19 2 years ago

    It would be interesting to know when the NDA is over for Natal, then we might hear what Devs think of the platform, rather than a few special interest groups :)

  • telboy007 #20 2 years ago

    @altitude2k Yes! That and dodge ball would see me happily buy Natal. Brilliant.

  • dfish #21 2 years ago

    the wii accelerometers were never particularly responsive pre motionplus, that didnt stop the wii being a huge success. even if the reports of natal being imprecise is true; for the casuals they want to sell to the lag will be barely noticeable.

  • Emmit_Assassin #22 2 years ago

    Just Dance on the Wii is a good game held back by a shit system in the Wii. The Wiimote is not the best thing to use for this. However, Natal would be perfect.
    I loved Just Dance, but I'm no dancer and I hate the Wii, but I would buy something like that on Natal.

    They will, I think, attempt to emulate the success of Wii Sports, which is sensible given its popularity. But after its out and other devs see what it can do and what sort of impact it has, we should see some interesting things.

    I'm not expecting it all to be lovely on day one, or even have a lot to make me buy it straight of.
    This is something that is going to take time and a perfect PR balancing act equivalent to anything Nintendo could do to make Natal a success.
    I will buy it on day one, as I know that it will need us to support it whatever comes out immediately, in order for the future to be good for Natal.

  • monkfishjoe #23 2 years ago

    It must be heartening for MS to read these and other comments that are always posted when a 'Natal' story comes along. They must be very worried that the attatch rates will be poor (which is a very real concern), but most people tend to complain/worry that natal will replace there normal controller (implying that uptake will be good).

    I hope there is a decent attach rate for it (and the arc) so there is some more choice for us gamers.

  • Les #24 2 years ago

    "A lot of people are quick to bash Natal, but if they get some decent games going for it, I think it's going to be pretty interesting."

    Of course. For gamers anything with some decent games is interesting. But in the case of camera controlled games that appeal to a hardcore gamer audience, that's a pretty big 'if'.

    It'll definitely be interesting to see how it'll do in the market though. But as it's technology that both Nintendo (was offered to Nintendo before being offered to MS) and Sony (experimented with EyeToy in its labs) deemed not suitable, I'm rather skeptical. After all, bringing unproven concepts to a mass audience isn't exactly what MS is known for...

  • Ryze #25 2 years ago

    I want to see a HUGE surprise with Natal.

    As things stand, a Wii Sports esque game where you pretend to hold on to a tennis raquet would be useless. I expect some big surprises to be unveiled.

    Now - I really like the potential of having a Natal like sensor in the living room. If not this revision, then future versions can bring about home control innovations that I've mentioned - such as TVs and lights powering down or dimming when no one's in the room.

  • ChuckNorris #26 2 years ago

    The reason why I don't have a Wii is because of my living arrangement. I live in a student dorm and my room is no larger than a shoe box. I really hope that there are games in that line-up that do not require a lot of free space in front of the telly considering I'm quite looking forward to this. I wish the same thing for the wand.

  • Skooch #27 2 years ago

    I wouldn't expect many of the Natal games to be particularly interesting to the majority of the gaming geeks (yes, I include myself in that) that surf gaming websites. It is about broadening into the family and children market and taking a chunk out of Nintendo's grasp on the casual gamers out there.

    Saying that, I hope there will be good stuff for the hardcore, just probably not at launch is what I think.