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Epic likely to use traditional controllers moving forward photo

While Project Natal will be infinitely cool if it works as promised and games are made specifically for the device and not simply forced to adapt its motion controls, but there is one thing I cannot stop thinking about: first- and third-person shooters. How exactly are they going to work in a meaningful way using Natal? I couldn't say.

Epic Games, that one company that kind of maybe knows a thing or two about making successful shooters, seems to agree. In an interview with Develop, Cliff Bleszinski spoke about the merits of Natal, and whether or not the company will create future games specifically for the device.

"Y'know, we’ll take a look at Natal -- no promises -- but it's likely that the classic control interface is what Epic will be working on in the foreseeable future," he said. "But I think there's ways that you could merge the two interfaces and supplement a classic game with Natal controls to make something compelling."

And that, my friends, is as of this time the only way in which I can see the genre working well with Project Natal. I can only hope other developers agree with this sentiment, because otherwise we would probably get a flood of Virtua Cop clones. Sure, it would be neat for like an hour, but then what?


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17 comments | showing # 1 to 17

Justice's Avatar
Justice at 07/07/2009 15:43
This is good to hear, some extra functionality would be cool, but keep the controller in my hands is something Iwant from my Epic games. A Gears of War with Natal for complete control would not be pretty.
Magnalon's Avatar
Magnalon at 07/07/2009 15:45
I'll join in on the "yay traditional controller" crowd. I much preffered Twilight Princess with a Gamecube controller, and just about anything else motion anything has thrown at me, I wish I had the option to play it with a controller.

Ah well, if this is the future, I'll always have the ability to emulate old games and plug in my 10-strong stash of PS1/2/3 controllers. That should last me until I'm dead :D
Phantom Spaceman's Avatar
Phantom Spaceman at 07/07/2009 15:55
Well, seeing as how you would either have to have a giant trackball that you stand on, or do some kind of super-gay running in place motion to control movement and aiming at the same time with Natal, I don't think they really have a choice.
Diverse's Avatar
Diverse at 07/07/2009 15:59
Traditional gaming is best gaming. The way I see it, motion controlling should just be kept to the side for party / mini-games. I don't want to see it integrated in video gaming anymore than what the Wii has achieved with the Wiimote. I fear change.
Arttemis's Avatar
Arttemis at 07/07/2009 16:01
I'm in no hurry to jump ship from manual controls. Manipulation of buttons on a facepad currently grant much more precise input, and even the best implemented waggle disappoints me due to its inaccuracies and hassle.

I'm glad Epic games is taking a cautious approach toward the new control conventions.
Justice's Avatar
Justice at 07/07/2009 16:12
@Phantom Spaceman
The running motion was exactly what I had in mind.

@Magnalon
I found Twilight Princess worked really well on Wii (unlike the masses), sure the waggle wasn't accurate at all but it wasn't meant to be, I could slash as though I was Link and I got results. After playing it, I think going back to a non-motion controller for the next iteration would feel unnatural to me.
NESWizard's Avatar
NESWizard at 07/07/2009 16:13
It might be kinda neat if its used to turn your "Doom-Sway" in to dodges and the ability to look around corners.
WarZombie's Avatar
WarZombie at 07/07/2009 16:16
I agree with everyone here, and probably most gamers out there. The way I see the Wii is that it's a nice change of pace sometimes, but you can't make that you're primary choice of control. This has been the primary reason there haven't been a whole lot of great FPS on the console (I heard Conduit was good, not great. There is a BIG difference).

Epic is doing the right thing by saying this, maybe it'll convince MS to back off a bit on the whole motion control shit (Doubt it, but a dude can wish, right?).
D Sane's Avatar
D Sane at 07/07/2009 16:24
I think that Natal + controller would be a great idea, giving you a variety of options via buttons on the controller (without having to perform silly waggle motions like pulling your finger in an imaginary trigger) plus more interactivity through the motion controls (example: you're in a jungle setting and you brush tall grass out of your way with a hand gesture while still holding onto the "gun" with your other hand)
Dexter345's Avatar
Dexter345 at 07/07/2009 16:30
I think the traditional controller + Natal could offer some pretty neat experiences. Headtracking, at the least.
Elsa's Avatar
Elsa at 07/07/2009 16:36
I like gaming on my butt... with a traditional controller. I wouldn't be adverse to a simple hand motion to throw a grenade though! :)
LukienAkeela's Avatar
LukienAkeela at 07/07/2009 16:41
This seems to be the convential wisdom on Natal, and one I agree with.
Corak's Avatar
Corak at 07/07/2009 17:05
Cliffy B does make sense every now and then. I don't see that many traditional game types go the Natal route entirely, but a hybrid of the two is definitely a good place to start.
Holyetheline's Avatar
Holyetheline at 07/07/2009 17:48
I totally agree with Cliffy!
Chronic Logic's Avatar
Chronic Logic at 07/07/2009 21:51
I would prefer a hybrid motion control and traditional control.
Emrah's Avatar
Emrah at 07/08/2009 03:27
I don't know why they couldn't co-exist. For example, with the standard controller in your hand, the cam could track your head for the lean and peek mechanism (face tracking is already done on existing solutions, btw)
AgentMOO's Avatar
AgentMOO at 07/08/2009 09:26
Hold on guys, I have to go turn on the lights so the camera will let me throw a grenade.... okay there we go. This works pretty well, I don't have to press that out of the way button anymore!
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