Microsoft Shows Off Loads of Cool Stuff at E3

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.pcworld.com/article/165924/e3_hottest_games_and_gear_from_microsoft_take_a_look.html' target='_blank'>http://www.pcworld.com/article/1659...ake_a_look.html</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>"You knew something was up when Microsoft kicked off (as opposed to wrapping up) with two of the most celebrated musicians in rock history. The message? "Hey, it's The Beatles!" The subtext? "Hey Sony and Nintendo, we ain't messin' around." Classy, and not a little intimidating. Next? A battery of trailers and actual game demonstrations, including pretty tasty announcements for stuff like Epic's first Xbox Live Arcade game, Shadow Complex, Valve's zombie-blender sequel, Left 4 Dead 2, and a brand new standalone Halo game, Halo: Reach."</em></p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/dht/auto/1243964124.usr1.jpg" style="border: 1px solid #d2d2bb;" /></p><p>While we don't cover games here on Digital Home Thoughts, Microsoft's doing some interesting things in the home entertainment space with the Xbox 360 that are worth paying attention to - check out the PC World article for the scoop.</p>

[randalllewis]

I usually don't pay much attention to the X Box end of Microsoft. I once considered purchasing one for the media extender capability until I discovered that my TiVO did the same thing. And I can't be critical of the way MS markets the X Box as it is about the only product they have handled consistently well in that regard.

But I do have to say that the Project Natal demo caught my eye. This is really breakthrough stuff. The demos of the possible games were impressive enough but what I was really blown away by were the interactions. The video with Nimo and Cheryl was impressive and so was the interaction between the two girls choosing a dress for the dance. That type of interaction is the foundation for who knows what types of possibilities down the road.

I know Speilberg is into video games these days and was excited about the potential Natal shows there, but I think the story teller in him was really seeing the possibility of movie-like stories in which X Box owners play a role and interact with characters. I believe this is what really excited him enough to participate in the conference.

A few months ago there were stories in the tech press that Microsoft should cut back on its research efforts because, these pundits claimed, it wasn't getting much for all the money. The Project Natal demo shows the pundits, as usual, didn't have a clue. This is really impressive stuff.

And I am certain someone will tell me that this was all really invented by someone else back in the 80's. Copy machines, no innovation, yadda, yadda, yadda. That may or may not be true. Microsoft appears to be on verge of commercializing the idea for the masses and that is most significant innovation of all.

[Felix Torres]

Agreed on all counts.
However, I'd like to add that the tech is not solely for games; the Natal interface is going to be fully embedded in the system and used both in and out of games. So, if you don't use a 360 for gaming (as a fair amount of folks do) and just use it as an extender and/or media delivery vehicle you still get to use the tech.
You get to navigate your media server via voice and gesture--no remote control needed.
Factor in face recognition for access control and parental/usage controls and this is a truly futuristic technology that makes the opposition's half-hearted counter look possitively embarrasing. (A glo-stick and a web cam?!)

One last point; while the Natal tech is an add-on to the current-gen XBOX--it will, however, be an integral part of the NextBox when it launches, circa 2012.
And there is little doubt some of it will filter into Windows 8 once they get the cost of the pickup bar down low enough.

Hope they have this tech tightly wrapped in patents.
Cause right now there's a zillion Linux ABMers looking to try to replicate this new GUI modality. :-D

[Jason Dunn]

And there is little doubt some of it will filter into Windows 8 once they get the cost of the pickup bar down low enough.

That's a really excellent point Felix - I can see this being attached or integrated into computer monitors and becoming another input/control method.

Microsoft has something very cool on their hands here...

[Felix Torres]

I can see this being attached or integrated into computer monitors and becoming another input/control method.

Microsoft has something very cool on their hands here...


Imagine a conference room with one of those attached to a large flat panel display... :-)

Anyway, here's some details from the press release:

Xbox 360
“Project Natal” 101
June 2009

“Project Natal,” pronounced “nuh-tall,” is a code name for a revolutionary new way to play, no controller required. See a ball? Kick it, hit it, trap it or catch it. Unlike 2-D cameras and controllers, “Project Natal” tracks your full body movement in 3-D, while responding to commands, directions, even a difference of emotion in your voice.

When “Project Natal” is ready, it will work with every Xbox 360 console so people who have never picked up a controller can finally join the fun.

See below for “Project Natal” 101, a list of terms and concepts to help explain this transformation in home entertainment.

What is “Project Natal”?

“Project Natal” (pronounced na-tall) is the code name for the new controller-free gaming and entertainment experience from Xbox 360. The name “Project Natal” has several sources. Microsoft Corp. traditionally uses cities as code names. As a result, Alex Kipman, who incubated the project and is from Brazil, chose Natal, a city along the northeastern coast of Brazil, as a tribute to his country. In addition, he knew that Natal also means “to be born” in Latin. Given the new audiences “Project Natal” will bring to Xbox 360, this felt right.

How Will “Project Natal” Change the Way I Play?

• Controller-free gaming and entertainment. “Project Natal” provides a whole new way to play — no controller required. It uses a sensor to track your body movement and recognize your face, even listen to your voice. If you know how to move your hands, shake your hips, or speak, you and your friends will be able to jump instantly into any “Project Natal” experience.

• Full-body play. “Project Natal” provides a new way to play where you use all parts of your body — head, hands, feet and torso. With controller-free gaming you don’t just control the superhero, you are the superhero. Full-body tracking allows the “Project Natal” sensor to capture every move, from head to toe, to give players a full-body gaming experience.

• Personalized play. “Project Natal” provides an in-game experience in which the player’s face and voice are recognized. Greet and speak to characters in the game, or simply step into view of the sensor to log into Xbox LIVE and connect with friends. Only “Project Natal” is smart enough to remember voices and faces. Fun has never been so personalized.

• Off-the-couch play. “Project Natal” provides gameplay that gets you off the couch, on your feet and in the fun. Each “Project Natal” experience is designed to get players moving, laughing, cheering and playing together. “Project Natal” makes social gaming off-the-couch fun.

• Easy-to-play fun. “Project Natal” makes sharing in the fun a snap. Talk or watch a movie in the same living room or on the other side of the world — no headset, no keyboard and no controllers required. It’s just you, your friends, your family and a whole new way to play.

How Does “Project Natal” Work?

• “Project Natal” sensor. “Project Natal” is the world’s first system to combine an RGB camera, depth sensor, multiarray microphone and custom processor running proprietary software that brings “Project Natal” experiences to every Xbox 360 console. The “Project Natal” sensor tracks full-body movement and individual voices, creating controller-free fun and social entertainment available only on Xbox 360.

• RGB camera. “Project Natal” has a video camera that delivers the three basic color components. As part of the “Project Natal” sensor, the RGB camera helps enable facial recognition and more.

• Depth sensor. An infrared projector combined with a monochrome CMOS sensor allows “Project Natal” to see the room in 3-D (as opposed to inferring the room from a 2-D image) under any lighting conditions.

• Multiarray microphone. “Project Natal” has a microphone that will be able to locate voices by sound and extract ambient noise. The multiarray microphone will enable headset-free Xbox LIVE party chat and more.

• Custom processor (running Microsoft proprietary software layer). A proprietary software layer makes the magic of “Project Natal” possible. This layer differentiates “Project Natal” from any other technology on the market through its ability to enable human body recognition and extract other visual noise.

And a few demo videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvyDynDDPHs (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvyDynDDPHs)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYTDSnTJo8s (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYTDSnTJo8s)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_bQoFDhD00 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_bQoFDhD00)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMOHswHonwc (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMOHswHonwc)<!-- / message -->

[Jason Dunn]

And a few demo videos...

Slick! I watched the main promo video on my Xbox the other night, and even the wife was impressed with it. Gotta' laugh at all the Wii fanboys over on YouTube though...sheesh...they don't seem to grasp why this is quite a bit different than what they have now.

[Felix Torres]

Slick! I watched the main promo video on my Xbox the other night, and even the wife was impressed with it. Gotta' laugh at all the Wii fanboys over on YouTube though...sheesh...they don't seem to grasp why this is quite a bit different than what they have now.

Oh, even on the "adult" XBOX forums there's quite a few reactionary dudes who don't get it. They seem to think this is about making you wave your hands to play Halo. :rolleyes:

MS actually had to come out and publicly deny they have any intention of getting rid of the gamepad controller or force NATAL on everything.

Gotta say, though, Microsoft timed the announcement perfectly; a day before Nintendo talked about their Wiimote-improver accessory and a day before Sony brings out their glo-stick rod, they raised the bar to a level neither can soon match. Stole the press right from under their noses. Scary to think what is going to happen if MS continues to play the media at these Apple-like levels...

Best Sony could muster is "Some games need buttons..."
(No kidding?!)

I'm still waiting for the other shoe to drop.
Rumor mill still insists Hulu is coming to 360 as a match to the UK's Sky service.