Random Thoughts About Microsoft Natal

If  you watched the keynotes for E3, and have been keeping up with news then you undoubtedly know that Microsoft Natal was the highlight of the show.  If you haven’t been keeping up, then let me give your a summary of what Microsoft Natal is about.

Microsoft Natal is a technology that looks to cash-in on the motion sensoring craze that has driven many sales for the Nintendo Wii. Instead of relying on a device like the Wii remote, Natal relies on a camera based technology. The Natal scans a room and is able to pick up a person, there is also facial recognition that is tied into your Xbox 360 profile.

With the camera based technology, Natal is able to recognize the entire body of a person. As movements are made in real life, they are shown off on screen. They utilized a few programs to show off Natal at E3, and it really looks impressive. There’s one game that plays a bit like Breakout, and was shown during Jimmy Fallon’s Late Night Show. Below is the video.

As you can see, the Natal is responsive and has amazing potential. The hype that has surrounded Natal will probably gurantee a large amount of purchases. I’m a still a bit iffy on some aspects of Natal, specifically the ‘mime’ type feel I get from watching the videos. Second, it is going to have a hard time penetrating the market that Nintendo seems to have already with the Nintendo Wii.

Whether it’s a financial success or not, one thing is for certain — Microsoft Natal is definitely pushing the boundaries of gaming. Which is a great enough feat in and of itself.