project-natal
November 28th, 2009 at 11:30pm
Under Xbox 360
Speaking to a room full of executives focused on “the business of online video” at this year’s Streaming Media West trade show, it’s easy to understand how Xbox Live GM Marc Whitten could fall into hyperbole regarding the implications of Project Natal. “I believe that this will be the largest leap of TV experience since the remote control,” Whitten said on the subject, reports Yahoo Tech. “With the flick of my wrist I can change a channel … with the power of my voice I can start a movie.”
Aside from the more obvious implications to television using technology that can interpret voice and motion, he sees a future where Natal will recognize individual voices in a room and allow for a variety of human input – from “laughter” to “the number of people in a room” and everything in between. “Watching a movie is a passive input, but a TV should understand what you’re trying to do.” We don’t know about you, Marc, but we’re a bit worried about the implications of our television understanding what some of us are trying to do.
[Via Edge]
Microsoft’s Marc Whitten sees Natal replacing television remote controls originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 28 Nov 2009 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Tags: marc-whitten, natal, project-natal, remote-control, streaming-media-west, television
By Mister-X
Continue Reading Microsoft’s Marc Whitten sees Natal replacing television remote controls
November 23rd, 2009 at 09:30pm
Under Xbox 360
With Project Natal on schedule for a 2010 arrival, it’s no surprise that Microsoft’s annual Gamefest conference will offer programming tracks designed to get developers up to speed on how best to design for and implement the technology in their Xbox 360 games.
The tech summit, which runs from February 10 and 11 in Seattle will offer two types of Natal-themed sessions. The first, Project Natal Design, promises to help devs with “creating new ways to work, building showcase experiences, divining user intent, and designing gestures for UI versus game interactions.” The second, Project Natal Technical, will “dive deep into gesture recognition, avatar retargeting, speech recognition, advanced raw stream processing, handling different player environments, and many other topics.”
Avatar re-what? Advanced raw stream huh? $100 says Microsoft just hands attendees Minority Report on DVD.
[Via Gamasutra]
Devs to get Project Natal tips at Gamefest in Feb. originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 23 Nov 2009 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Tags: Gamefest, gamefest2010, microsoft, project-natal
By Mister-X
Continue Reading Devs to get Project Natal tips at Gamefest in Feb.
November 19th, 2009 at 06:20pm
Under Xbox 360
With Shadow Complex setting very specific week-one sales records on XBLA, Epic and Chair would be kind of nuts to not consider a sequel. One job listing out of a recent crop on Microsoft’s employment boards seems to out that likely scenario, implying that Shadow Complex is a bona fide franchise for Microsoft Game Studios and Epic. Said listing specifically calls for a Lead Producer to “lead the publishing side of games made by Epic: Gears of War and Shadow Complex.”
Additionally, Microsoft appears to be looking for more able bodies to join its growing pool of Project Natal and 343 Industries employees. Existing job listings call for everything from designers to engineers to even a few artists. Sadly, the company isn’t looking for MJOLNIR armor models yet, but just in case, Microsoft, you know how to reach us.
[Via Develop]
Microsoft lists more jobs for Project Natal, 343 Industries; hiring Shadow Complex, Gears of War franchises lead originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Continue Reading Microsoft lists more jobs for Project Natal, 343 Industries; hiring Shadow Complex, Gears of War franchises lead
Tags: 343-industries, chair, chair-entertainment, employment, epic, epic-games, gears-of-war, halo, job-listing, jobs, microsoft, microsoft-game-studios, project-natal, shadow-complex, xbla
By Mister-X
Continue Reading Microsoft lists more jobs for Project Natal, 343 Industries; hiring Shadow Complex, Gears of War franchises lead
November 17th, 2009 at 08:15pm
Under Xbox 360
While reports circulated last week that Project Natal would launch sometime in November 2010, Xbox UK boss Neil Thompson says the details were only rumors. Speaking with Eurogamer at a launch event in London for the console’s new social media applications, Thompson said the rumors “weren’t accurate” and claimed Microsoft has yet to determine “a lot of things” related to the launch of its new motion-sensing technology.
According to the rumors, Microsoft was set to ship around five million Project Natal units next fall, alongside 14 supporting titles at a price point that could go as low as $50 (£30). When asked about the rumored details and price, Xbox’s head of Europe, Chris Lewis, jokingly added, “Now you know better than to listen to that stuff! We will announce in good time.”
However, Lewis did remind Eurogamer that Microsoft is striving for “unique” and “compelling” experiences with the technology. “That has to happen and will happen,” he said. As long as whatever “happens” doesn’t follow Microsoft’s traditional Xbox 360 peripheral pricing scheme, we’ll be happy.
Microsoft: Natal launch details ‘not accurate’ originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 19:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Tags: chris-lewis, europe, microsoft, natal, neil-thompson, pricing, project-natal, release-date, uk
By Mister-X
Continue Reading Microsoft: Natal launch details ‘not accurate’
November 12th, 2009 at 03:00pm
Under Xbox 360
Sitting on Time Magazine’s 50 Best Inventions of 2009 amongst notables like the world’s first AIDS vaccine (still in trials) and meat farms seems like an awkward place for Microsoft’s Project Natal. But that’s exactly where it resides, paired with glowing praise for its boundary-breaking implications.
“Since time immemorial … one barrier that has stood between gamers and total Tron-like immersion in their video games has been the controller,” the piece posits, going on to say that Natal will break that barrier by allowing the player one-to-one access between the game and the game’s controls. “You move your hand, and the Master Chief (or whoever) moves his hand. It’s that simple. And that cool.” Though we’re excited for the many prospects Project Natal seems to offer, we’re a bit more intrigued by teleportation.
And yes, that’s seriously on the list.
Time picks Natal as one of 2009’s best inventions originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 12 Nov 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Tags: 50-best-inventions-of-2009, awards, inventions, microsoft, natal, project-natal, time-magazine
By Mister-X
Continue Reading Time picks Natal as one of 2009’s best inventions
November 11th, 2009 at 10:40am
Under Xbox 360
MCV reports that Microsoft has been showing Project Natal off to UK publishers this week, and filling them in on the launch plan. According to the site’s unnamed sources, Microsoft plans to release the peripheral in November 2010, at a sub-£50 ($84) price point that could go as low as £30 ($50) when sold by itself. That price happens to match the price predicted by Michael Pachter last month.
MCV’s sources say that Microsoft will have 5 million cameras ready for launch, with a “great launch line-up” of 14 games. While a November launch of a major video game item seems plausible even in a year overloaded with spring releases, this information remains unverified and, therefore, suspect. And we’re tempted to say that the price is too good to be true. If it does turn out to be $50, our expression of delight may be the first thing the fancy camera sees.
Rumor: Project Natal launch details leaked originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 11 Nov 2009 09:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Tags: microsoft, project-natal, rumor, uk
By Mister-X
Continue Reading Rumor: Project Natal launch details leaked
November 6th, 2009 at 06:00pm
Under Xbox 360
A variety of new job listings have emerged on a Microsoft employment site, including positions for Project Natal and — perhaps more interesting — positions for a new Halo game. These listings for Halo, likely for Halo: Reach, call for designers, AI developers and animators — even a multiplayer game design lead.
As for Project Natal, some listings point to “a large franchise,” whereas others quote “an excellent next-generation” project — which could be just about anything. We confirmed with Microsoft’s Larry “Major Nelson” Hryb that the listings were legit, though he couldn’t provide us with any more info beyond that.
[Via HotBloodedGaming]
Microsoft hiring for Project Natal and Halo originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Tags: employment, halo, halo-reach, job-listing, microsoft, project-natal
By Mister-X
Continue Reading Microsoft hiring for Project Natal and Halo
November 5th, 2009 at 01:29pm
Under Xbox 360
Wait a minute. Now we’re confused. We thought one of the major development incentives for joining the motion revolution was to conserve resources in the production department. When your players are busy flailing and flapping — surging with euphoric endorphins — they don’t exactly notice that you’ve scaled back on the fancy schmancy rendering and physics; all that excessive cutting edge tech. Heck, they’d barely notice if you repurposed and resold them a game you’d made 5 years ago.
Motion control, man, it’s about getting back to our roots — a simpler time — when games were, like, about connecting with our bodies, you know? So when we caught wind of a job opportunity posted by Ghostbusters developer Terminal Reality and calling for experienced Xbox Live programmers to create “an exciting AAA Natal title,” we were sorta like, whoa, guys, you’re kinda missing the point.
Check this: “If you have a passion to create seriously high-quality action/adventure titles, we’re interested in hearing from you!” Really … passion? That makes it sound like there will be sweat involved — that’s the players’ job now. You guys gotta dial it down, maybe dig up some of that old BloodRayne code, put a little “kick-punch-slap” control in there … Save. Press. Box. Ship. Done.
[Via Shogun Gamer; thanks, Ian]
Terminal Reality seeking programmers for ’seriously high-quality’ Natal project originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Tags: aaa, jobs, natal, project-natal, terminal-reality, tri, xbox-live
By Mister-X
Continue Reading Terminal Reality seeking programmers for ’seriously high-quality’ Natal project
October 28th, 2009 at 08:20pm
Under Xbox 360
From a four-by-four pixel face, to a loyal pooch, to an inquisitive youth — that’s the path Peter Molyneux has taken in his quest to find life within technology. “Right, can we dare to create a character which anybody interacting with that character would truly believe was alive?” the renowned designer recently asked attendees of the annual BAFTA Video Game Lecture (transcribed by The Guardian).
Harnessing the motion-sensitive camera in Microsoft’s Project Natal, Molyneux hopes to breathe that life into a young boy — or girl! — named Milo (or Millie!). While he admits that much of it is “smoke and mirrors and tricks,” he provided some interesting insight into the technology put to use behind the scenes. It seems Milo won’t just recognize you (his imaginary, otherworldly friend), but everyday objects as well. “Firstly the process of scanning is really lovely, you just reach your arm up, you can also scan in three dimensional objects, for example if you are eating an apple you can give that apple to Milo and he will carry on eating the apple,” the Lionhead lead explained. But will Milo scan candy held aloft by strangers?
“Or the other thing that is amazing about this technology and this is the online portion of inspiration, we are collecting continuing to collect and improve his object recognition skills.” If his plans come to fruition, Molyneux envisions “all the Milos that will be released” feeding their observations into a centralized recognition of “everything in the world.”
To Skynet alarmists: Have you seen this boy?
Molyneux: Milo will boast collective object recognition, accept half-eaten fruit originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 19:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Tags: lionhead, lionhead-studios, milo, molyknew-or-molyno, peter-molyneux, project-natal, skynet-watch
By Mister-X
Continue Reading Molyneux: Milo will boast collective object recognition, accept half-eaten fruit
October 21st, 2009 at 07:55pm
Under Xbox 360
Shocking absolutely no one, Peter Molyneux has confirmed that Fable 3 will support Project Natal in some fashion. The confirmation came during a lecture at BAFTA in London. The news was confirmed by Eurogamer’s Johnny Minkley, who tweeted the info during the event itself. Molyneux also reportedly showed off Milo and proved that Natal is capable of scanning objects (people, presumably) in bad lighting.
Molyneux himself hinted at the possible inclusion of Natal in Fable 3 as recently as two weeks ago, though he neglected to confirm it for fear of a quick, sniper-borne death.
So that’s that then: Fable 3 will use Project Natal. Of course, we don’t speak for everyone, but we can’t wait to pretend to fart in front of a crowd of adoring, virtual townsfolk.
[Via VG247]
Molyneux confirms Natal support in Fable 3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 21 Oct 2009 18:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Tags: fable, fable-3, microsoft-game-studios, natal, peter-molyneux, project-natal
By Mister-X
Continue Reading Molyneux confirms Natal support in Fable 3
