Natal: Novelty or Next Logical Step?
Five months ago Microsoft wooed us when they announced Project: Natal at E3. The entire industry was buzzing and gamers all around the world were wondering what this meant for the future of games. People didn’t seem to care that Sony’s motion controller would feature 1:1 motion capturing (basically it would just about 100% mimic your movements and line up correctly with where you were holding the controllers) because Natal is full body motion capturing. Hell, even Jimmy Fallon featured Natal on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon and left Sony in the dark.
Over the past 5 months we really haven’t heard that much from the Natal front except that companies are starting to hire programmers and designers for Natal based projects. That, and we are reminded here and there about the creepy ass Milo concept from Lionhead Studios. Honestly, if I had to work on that project, I might go insane.
Now please keep in mind that this article is mostly things I have observed and contains my opinions.
The more I think about Project: Natal the more I begin to question if it really is the future of gaming or will it be just a novelty? How many people will want to stand in front of there TV’s jumping around, running in place, and god knows what else to play a game?
When you look at the current top games, the list is filled with first person shooters and RPG’s. These games need you to be on your toes and constantly alert, not diving behind a couch or wall to take cover. Like the slogan for Natal states, YOU are the controller, meaning your body movements are responsible for what transpires on screen. The second you go scratch your nose or grab a drink your character will do the same exact action.
Let’s take a look at how Natal will affect first person shooters. With no real buttons to push, how are players supposed to switch between weapons? With no controller, how is a player going to reload their gun? Again, is the player going to have to run around and pretend they are behind cover? All of these things are major aspects of FPSs and basically what the game is comprised of.
The same goes for RPGs. Role playing games consist of LOTS of running around open environments. Am I going to have to run in place so my character runs? Will there be decision based movements? How much action will one need to do during fight sequences?
Seeing as how FPS and RPGs are the 360s biggest sellers, Microsoft might want to think about how Natal will really affect the experience the gamer has with their game. However, not all genres will have a negative affect from Natal.
Sports games might actually see a major push with the help of Natal because it will actually let you become the player. You will be responsible for throw passes, shooting baskets, hitting the ball, and everything else within a sports game. Natal will bring sports fans into the game and think about their actions. The only real downside I see is if players are forced to run in place to move. This is especially true for skateboarding games. We saw that with Natal you don’t need a little plastic board like with Ride to play the game. However, just like with Ride, how is a player supposed to perform tricks? Placement of a foot doesn’t really mimic what real skaters do. Plus swinging one leg back and forth will wear someone out seeing as how that is needed to move the skateboard.
The other genre that will benefit from Natal is RTS. With the help of Natal you will be in full control of your army. Grabbing units and telling them where to move, selecting spots to place your bases and buildings, and even just navigating the world with the swipe of a hand. Players will feel like they themselves are controlling what is going on and in a sense playing God.
As you can see, the more you look at Natal, the more it looks like a novelty to break out during parties. You can get a group of people together and play little mini games or some silly little arcade titles. Other then that I don’t see real hardcore gamers jumping on the idea.
Now we are still in the early idea stages of Natal so passing judgment is hard seeing as how no one really has a grasp on it.
I want Microsoft to prove my ideas wrong and break into the logical step that gaming needs to go. Hopefully I can gain a better appreciation of Natal at E3 this year or if Microsoft wants bring up and show me first hand of what it is capable of.
4 Responses to “Natal: Novelty or Next Logical Step?”
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NK Flickr!
i like using controllers and sitting on my ass while I shoot and blow things up.
I demand that my farts change weapons. That is all.
Can I burp as a boomer in L4D and vomit on survivors?!
Thanks for expanding on this topic. I have been searching via google for the past couple hours. I have read many of your other posts and they are great. I will be awaiting your next post.
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