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Testing Project Natal: We Touched the Intangible

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Pope John Peeps II
06/04/09

In reply to Testing Project Natal: We Touched the Intangible
I guess I'd better start working on my hand speed to play E. Honda in "Street Fighter: "You're not fat anymore, are you?"
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AndrewGene
06/04/09

In reply to Testing Project Natal: We Touched the Intangible
I don't believe this will be an "all or nothing" situation. I think the developers will let you choose to do SOME things with the controller or your own body. For example, during a FPS if you want to run in place to move your character, you can, or you can go into the options and change it to just use the thumbstick to move your character. It would be cool to have a controller to move, point, and aim but use natal for crouching, leaning around corners, and crawling on the ground (if you were inclined to do so--if not, simply don't use natal and use the controller only).
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ripfire
06/04/09

@AndrewGene: I'm sure there are ways you can move around without a controller. Think Segway.
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nbsp
06/03/09

In reply to Testing Project Natal: We Touched the Intangible
How about playing an FPS, or an RTS?

Smells like gimmick to me
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Mark Wilson
06/04/09

@nbsp: Having tested the hardware, I'd actually say that an FPS is PERFECT for it.
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ripfire
06/04/09

@Mark Wilson: I can imagine RTS would be cakewalk with this thing. Which reminds me, when the hell is Starcraft2 coming out??
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Sindo
06/03/09

In reply to Testing Project Natal: We Touched the Intangible
Does anybody else see problems like someone walking in from of the screen, or it recognizing the voice of someone talking to you?
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matt buchanan
06/04/09

@Sindo: Actually Kudo didn't just walk in front us while playing, he made steering wheel motions to try to trick it to show that it recognizes who's playing based on the shape of their body
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ripfire
06/04/09

@Sindo: In real life, how do you determine from a crowd which person is trying to talk to you?

A: You look at their mouth.
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Xterm11: ESCAPED YOUR HYPERLINK
06/03/09

In reply to Testing Project Natal: We Touched the Intangible
I saw a demo of a guy with a wiimote strapped to his head, so the wii knew where his head was, and would change perspective to make it look 3d; it was awesome. You could look around corners and stuff. It would be great if they did that for natal.
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ttech10
06/03/09

@LOL! Xterm11 is starting a new screen name meme!: That would require some type of physical object, though, which MS doesn't want.

Personally I can see a lot of complaints because there are many situations in which you'd want to have an actual button and something physical.
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ripfire
06/04/09

@ttech10: I understand the need for "something physical" but I can think of plenty of occasions where the interface itself could have been on-screen.
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SaparnaAristomachus
06/03/09

In reply to Testing Project Natal: We Touched the Intangible
I think the biggest part of this people are missing is how this can be used along side the control. creating an even more interactive and immersive experience. I know the milo thing isn't amazing yet from the actual reviews of people who have toyed with it at e3, but imagine dialog and cut scenes where you actually talk to the characters or crouching functions, dodging etc that works with you moving instead of a button or stick on the controller. That's what has me most excited honestly.
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ripfire
06/04/09

@SaparnaAristomachus: Do you remember playing old school Ultima or text-based games? You can say pretty much anything you want and it detects for certain keywords. Not only will it do that, but this would make it possible to also detect your tone and facial expression. Although detecting sarcasm would still be difficult. Hell, we already have problems with that now here in the comments.
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Islandkiwi
06/03/09

In reply to Testing Project Natal: We Touched the Intangible
Project Natal looks very interesting from what I saw, I like how Microsoft is envisioning the use of it in the living room. But what excites me more is people having some hands on time with it and reacting...well, not just favorably, but almost giddy.

Thanks for posting this, and thanks for including the infra-red information. It's the first time I've seen that explained.
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Sora57 is rendering
06/03/09

In reply to Testing Project Natal: We Touched the Intangible
Sounds interesting, but I am not convinced yet. I like a controller for racing games, etc. A hybrid system would be more my style.
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aaj111
06/03/09

In reply to Testing Project Natal: We Touched the Intangible
Now I can cast spells by looking like Goku when he does the Kamehameha.

My dream has come true...

AJ! Cast a fire spell!

OKAY! -KAAAMEEEHAAAMMEEEE-
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Mark Wilson
06/04/09

@aaj111: I thought this same thing, BTW.
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ripfire
06/04/09

@aaj111: You can also charge up your blast based on how loud you're yelling.
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Lokno
06/03/09

In reply to Testing Project Natal: We Touched the Intangible
You guys don't remember ZCam, do you? It's ZCam! Which is still cool, don't get me wrong.
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ripfire
06/04/09

@Lokno: Its by the makers of ZCam and its based on 'similar' technology (I just found out recently), but, technically, it's not.
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Fait Accompli
06/03/09

In reply to Testing Project Natal: We Touched the Intangible
I still think, for many types of games (shooters, slashers, golf, tennis, etc)., people will want to hold something in their hands simply to have mass and a closer approximation to reality. Of course you could probably do that with Natal, but if you do, how is it really different than Sony's approach?

Also, my first thought is that for a game such as soccer, (where there is no need to hold something), Natal would kick Sony's butt (unless you can put reflectors on you and "be" the controller for Sony as well), but my second thought is "how do I slide tackle?"

Another question is are all games made better by "being" the controller? Probably not. This, as exciting as it is, will not completely replace the need for a hand held controller.

Regardless, I am excited for both this and Sony's to hit prodcution. I agree 2010 is too far away.
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ripfire
06/04/09

@Fait Accompli: The other thing to consider is that not only will it track your hands, but your head, hips, feet, heck your entire body, and not just whatever you have in your hands.
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Lite: hates Illinois Nazis
06/03/09

In reply to Testing Project Natal: We Touched the Intangible
Will this make it easier to play Audition Dance Online?

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stryker1800
06/03/09

In reply to Testing Project Natal: We Touched the Intangible
look promising ill probably pick this up along with the sony version, but i still think traditional controllers will never lose their foothold in the games market
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ripfire
06/04/09

@stryker1800: I don't think anybody has ever said that this will replace traditional controllers.
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fragMasterFlash
06/03/09

In reply to Testing Project Natal: We Touched the Intangible
So the boys in Redmond finally invented a controller that the family pets can interact with? Time to start cranking code for my "Get the Squirrel!" game for dogs.
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KingPsyz says RIP KingOfPop
06/03/09

@fragMasterFlash:
funny you mention that... say they make ea active for this... what happens when your toddler runns in front of you during a workout?
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Lite: hates Illinois Nazis
06/03/09

@OMG! It's King Psyz: It projects a little toddler running by screaming.
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Kaiser-Machead
06/03/09

In reply to Testing Project Natal: We Touched the Intangible
Now dance puppets, dance mwahahahahahahahhahahahah......mwahahahaha!
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Lite: hates Illinois Nazis
06/03/09

@Kaiser-Machead: Dance Magic Dance?

I too can look like David Bowie on a bad hair day in spandex and a cod-piece?
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