Microsoft Game Studios’ Shane Kim -- the guy that said a Microsoft handheld was a matter of “when” and not “if” -- believes Project Natal can earn the hardware manufacturer a blue ribbon this console generation by smashing “barriers” that frustrate the casual audience.
In an interview with OXM UK, Kim said Microsoft isn’t the winner of this generation, but Project Natal could put them over the edge. His vision is clear: Natal isn’t about responding to what Nintendo is doing; rather, it is about opening magical pathways so console-dumb Granny and company will feel the need to buy an Xbox 360. In short, Kim thinks Natal will net Microsoft more warm-bodied followers.
“Because the generation isn't over, and we're not winning yet,” Kim said. “Our goal is to win, always has been. We want to have hundreds of millions of customers, whether that's on 360 or on LIVE, and that's our vision.”
“That's what Project Natal is about,” he continued. “Natal is not about responding to Nintendo and what they do with Wii, it goes well beyond what Nintendo and Sony are doing. This is about unlocking the potential and breaking down all the barriers that remain that prevent people who are intimidated or feel awkward with a controller in their hand -- anything that prevents them from jumping in and having a great time with Xbox 360 and Xbox LIVE.
“That's what it's about. It's about the 60% of households around the world, more in some regions, that don't own a games console today. We only have so much to offer, so much value to offer: how do we prevent ourselves getting in the way? That's what Project Natal really is,” said Kim.
Kim's thoughts aren't wild, but there is a small problem: people who can’t figure out dual-analog sticks already have a Wii, and it doesn't seem like they take issue with the remote.
[via VG247]
Contest:
9:00 AM on 08.31.2009
| 
That's hilarious.
I doubt this EyeToy 2.0 will make much difference.
Didn't they say at E3 2005 that they wanted to have 1 billion customers with the XboX 360? That's quite a downgrade to only wanting "hundreds of millions" now. Both quote are absolutely stupid, because Microsoft will be lucky to reach 75 million units sold at the slow rate they're going. At alone 100, or 200 million like they're dreaming about now and that billion quote was nothing more than a freaking joke, as soon as it came out of J Allards mouth at E3 2005.
That is Microsoft's biggest problem, they promise us the world at E3 and than they rarely ever deliver on it. Velocity Girl, Live Anywhere, and 1 Billion Customers all say hello from Microsoft's E3 press conferences gone by. None of them ever seen the light of day. Where as I think Natal will come out, but it certainly won't live up to everything that Microsoft promised at E3 this year. I can see it now, people will be disappointed with the end result of Project Natal!
I hope Natal is great but I'm still not impressed.
*wonders if he can run around with an empty paintball gun and use that*
The fact that it recognizes you can be great also, if they build in some basic talking AI to respond and interact with, and a dash you can control through gesture or voice.
Uh-huh.
This is about money. Never pretend otherwise. You'll just sound like lame PR for a new age treatment spa.
Natal will most likely to fail, though I don't expect much more from Sony's wand either.
Maybe for the Marketing firm that can sucker and lie the best....
Hopefully.
Good try Microsoft, but we all know you're lying through you're teeth. Natal was made so A) it could compete aganist the Wii in terms of motion control B) target the expanded audience and C) Microsoft already tried numerous times to compete aganist the Wii with everything from its own Avatars to its peripheral-based party game, Scene It?
Natal's capabilities are interesting and fairly impressive but are they practical for being used in traditional gaming? In addition, the lack of force feedback is another concern.
I'm sorry, but gaming completely without controllers is a horrible, horrible idea. There are way too many problems that can come from that, the first of which is the fact that it doesn't feel right at all. All they've showed is people using Natal to play soccer, or pretend to drive, or try on clothes (damn...). Here's a better idea -- LEAVE YOUR DAMN HOUSE FOR FIVE MINUTES.
This line just tickles me xP
And yeah, as Justice said, removing the controller (or in my case the mouse and keyboard) just creates barriers for real gamers... it removes any chance of deep mechanics or complexity.