At their E3 2009 press-conference earlier today, Microsoft announced Project Natal, their so-called ‘hands-free motion controller’, which combines state-of-the-art camera technology, capable of tracking full-body movement, transforming the players themselves into the controller. Examples shown included a teenage boy being challenged by an on-screen monk to a fight, with the boy ducking the monk’s blows and delivering his own, all of which Natal registered and transferred instantaneously.
Project Natal Technology
Natal includes an RGB camera, depth sensor, multi-array microphone and custom processor running proprietary software. It has facial recognition capabilities, with Microsoft suggesting Natal-equipped Xbox 360’s could recognise who is signing on by scanning their face.
The examples showcased by Microsoft, ranging from skateboards being scanned by Natal and transferred into a skating game to an interface being literally flicked through, are reminiscent of the technology shown in Steven Spielberg’s Minority Report. Ironically, Microsoft was consulted in the production of Minority Report, and Spielberg appeared at the Natal unveiling to laud Microsoft’s creation.
3-D Tech Demo Ricochet
Project leader for Natal, Kudo Tsunoda, showed a tech-demo for Natal called Ricochet, which included a variety of mini-game-esque activities. A woman was shown swinging her arms around, with Natal translating her motions into a mini-game where she hit virtual balls away. Another, Paint Party, had a man splashing paint, whose colour he changed via voice-control, onto a blank canvas.
Tsunoda revealed development kits for Natal were being delivered today. Some developers, however, have been in the loop for longer, with Lionhead Games’ Peter Molyneux demoing a quite remarkable game, simply called Milo, where players can interact with virtual character Milo, who responds to facial emotions and actions with remarkable realism. Milo and a female player worked together to complete the boy’s art assignment, with interactive water and drawing features revealed.
Lionhead's Milo
Milo appears to be the oft-referenced Dimitri; a Lionhead project Molyneux has frequently mentioned may change the face of video-games. Milo did indeed seem amazing, with Milo himself responding to the female player’s facial emotions and tone of voice.
The player’s interaction was also impressive, with Milo tossing her a pair of goggles she duly caught and wore. Just how scripted the demo was remains uncertain, although Molyneux revealed select members of the media will be introduced to Milo.
Microsoft’s Motion-Controller
The potential for Natal is astounding. Unlike the Wiimote, players aren’t tethered to a physical device capable of a limited amount of technological features. With Natal, the players are the controller.
However, certain depressing realities must be considered. The exact nature of the final-product Natal will be dependant upon how developers utilise it. Also, a cautionary disclaimer at the beginning of the video, stating the final-product may differ or vary to what is being shown, suggests Microsoft hasn’t finalised Natal just yet, with the release date and pricing as yet unannounced.
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