Saudi Microsoft executive narrows release window for controller-free motion-control system, saying it will ship before Halloween.
Since Project Natal was revealed at last year's Electronic Entertainment Expo, Microsoft has been largely silent about it. Other than announcing the camera-based motion-sensing system would have a "world premiere" on Sunday, June 13--the day before Microsoft's press briefing at this year's E3--the Xbox 360 maker has only divulged it will ship this "holiday" season.
Apparently Microsoft considers Halloween a holiday, as an executive from the company has revealed Project Natal will launch worldwide in October. In an interview on Saudi Arabian state television's Channel 2 (see below) captured last night by GamerTag Radio, the marketing manager of Microsoft Saudi's Entertainment and Devices division, Syed Bilal Tariq, narrowed the launch date of the system.
"Project Natal will be launched in Saudi Arabia on the same date it will be launched in the world," said Tariq. "That is going to be somewhere [sic] in October. We will be in a position to confirm the date after E3, which is in June. But definitely the date is going to be in October 2010." [UPDATE] As of 8:30 a.m. PDT Tuesday morning, the video interview--embedded below--was intermittently unviewable.
US Microsoft reps were less forthcoming than their Saudi counterparts, saying only, "As we confirmed earlier this year, Project Natal will launch this holiday. We have no further details to share at this time."
Since Natal's unveiling, Microsoft has been keen to play up the potential of the controller-free system while not talking about the games that use it. So far, the company has only revealed the virtual boy Milo, the role-playing game Fable III, the dodgeball game Ricochet, and an art game called Paint Party. Following a Los Angeles press event, screenwriter James Gunn (Slither, Dawn of the Dead) also let slip that boxing, football, and whitewater-rafting simulation games were in development for the system. Workout and yoga games are also rumored.
In all honesty, I don't see a future in hardcore gaming for the natal. Seems more wii/family fun type stuff. Even though I only have an xbox 360, IMO the ps3 motion controller seems way better for more serious gamers, since it's crazy accurate and would be awesome for like swordswinging RPG's and stuff. I don't see how you'll be able to roam around with the Natal unless it incorporates the controller but then your arms would be limited.
Hey microsoft why don t you worry for your 360s that make KABOOM instead of this useless thing
zzamaro: Last I heard, the strong rumor was $150, but it's not officially confirmed yet. I sincerely doubt it'll be more than that, if anything, it should be less, unless they bundle a bunch of stuff in with that $150 tag.
This is your chance Microsoft you bastards. Don't screw us over. You finally became not the most hated company in the industry, so don't muck it up now.
@PinkFloyd2003 "Over 50 million sold. Yeah the Wii is a total failure." I meant it will fail to deliver what it promises, just like the Wii did. Making crappy products and selling them to dumb people like Microsoft fans is not so hard you know?
I'd rather just sit in my Lazyboy in front of the TV and use a basic motion senser-less controller, the lazy gamer way.
Is there still no news on cost? with something as amazing as microsoft says this will be, it's odd that there is no news anywhere about the pricing
I actually signed in to rate that comment Willceace..thanks for the laugh this morning. The only other human in molyneux's league is James Cameron. We will change the world...
Will Peter Molyneux be at the unveiling? I wanna smash the natal sensor across his F***ing back.
I only have an xbox360 but will soon have a PS3.Each system will still have games that do not use either device, we should not hate something that can only extend your play!
Actually, don't get your hopes up on the date...G4 did some digging yesterday that proved this guy does not actually work for Microsoft and has released many faulty dates on previous occasions stating he works for one company or another. I think it will more likely be the first week in November since that is Microsoft's release track record on their first-party high-profile titles.
It's not cool to admit this, and because of that I know some of you are lying... but I'll admit to it: I'm in, I'm getting this. It's shiny, it's new, it's... intriguing. I'm in.
@Wolf3037 I often have wondered if the youngsters loving all this motion control gaming look at us older gamers and think of us the way we think of elderly people who don't want anything to do with email, lol! Currently, the only PS3 game I have that can use the motion aspect of the Sixaxis controller is Heavenly Sword. While the game is "ok", the parts requiring motion aren't very intuitive. Thankfully it's an option that can be turned off.
Hmm, this could end in a multitude of ways. I'm not that impressed by Natal, but I hope it does well. It's an interesting concept, but as always, the proof is in the games.
who gives a crap about natal i want gears and MvC 3 natal cant go suck some stupid persons money
what more motion sensing idk about yall but im notb made out of money and microsoftis going to jack the price up for this thing im happy with wii
@ziggy27 What??? It was just an assumption! Why are you starting a hassle on me??? And how on earth did you come to the idea that I have money LOL ?? !
I am happy for motion sensing in gaming. Remember, motion controls are there to co-exist side-by-side with regular controllers, not replace them. Natal is not going to replace the standard gamepad. You won't be playing Gears of War 3 or Halo Reach with Natal! So its all good :)
buffdaddy68 wrote: "Which you and your Father do because you said what I said means something different were you come from, so obviously you experienced whats considered a joyous virtue where your from to point out to me that it means something different where you come from. Check and Mate" Can anyone else read this? i don't think it's english... :)
@buffdaddy69: haha, check and mate? "Where i come from its 'ghetto' slang.." hehehhe i don't even know if you're being serious. And you took what i said totally wrong man! HAHA I couldn't understand how someone could think "coming at someones neck" was what i did, he claimed he didn't like popular things, so i listed his favorite games, thats all man, you need to chill. Real mature saying all that stuff about my father too, where i come from that call that "ghetto slang"(do people actual call anything that?) for childish. and i would like to also say, assuming that by my name i am some drug addict is quite priceless, and actually the thing i like about my name ;) Since when is a drug a bad thing? millions of doctors prescribe them everyday. So in closing, check and mate(which i guess is lingo from your "ghetto chess club") I apologize for the long argument in this comment section, this isn't what this is for
How dare Microsoft or any company announce a release of something that's different and possibly good for gaming. Let's all cry and complain without even trying it. /sarcasm
@aceballs u really have no clue, u honestly think they are going to bring out a periferal that will cost 4x the amount of the console itself, more to the point u wud even consider paying that much, wow u must have more money than sense
@ StarWatchers - You had all that suff too, now I dont feel so bad....lol But I really hope they truly do something viable with the technology too. Games like Star Trek and untapped genres such as mysteries, who dunnits, and horror could really be taken to another level if done right.
@Buffdaddy69 In your quick hesitation to knock me down, I would like to point out the obvious that I don't own a PS3 and have a 360 lol.. what im saying is that in all consoles dating back to sega's megadrive all add-on devices have been hyped but do so badly, they have cliche games that at the time look very impressive and cool, you might even play them for half a year but after that they become over priced paperweights.. you have the mega-CD's, 32x's, 64DD, eye toys, dance mats, guitars, DJ toy decks, drums, microphones and HD DVD drives :) I really hope that I am proved wrong and it becomes something that will always be with Xbox but from previous experiences and history in Add on devices I can tell you that im reserving judgement until this is actually out on the market.
It will probably cost around $1000. And it will take months before any good games' experience will support it. I hope it gets big and I look forward to a Modern Warfare game design for it..
All this motion control is wearing me out (instead of my sofa), enough smoke and mirrors bull already - give me a Pad any day.
I still wonder how will i play Mafia 2 with the Natal, but anyway it looks much better than that PS3 flashing lolli pop :D
who else is sick of people typing their opinion, yet they can not even make sense of the words they type?
Yeah, i admit, this is cool, but microsoft will do something to mess it up, like charge a monthly fee or something, or require 10 things to install it, or a DLC to use it, i used to own a xbox, until i had enough with its problems, ps3 will soon make something better than this, and it will be half the price. :)
@buffdaddy69 I agree with you 100 percent,I have both systems and Im getting both Natal and Move,so Im excited for both very much so..one thing im just going to say without trying to start an argument is that i think Move will be a better over all motion controll. Ive seen both tested,and thats simply my opinion
I would like to point out though...that the PS3 fanboys really do need to chill. You post in these articles how its going to fail and you ether A) Dont even owned a 360 and B.) Haven't even tried out Natal let alone PS3's Wii Controller to even make a debatable argument.
@dRuGGeRnaUt Ahhh yes. The druggies. I love when they let drugs completely ruin their brain and comprehension. Allow to tell you what "Coming at someones neck" means. "Coming at someones neck" Is actually a form of ghetto slang. To "Come at someones neck" where I live pretty much means you insult someone to the point to where they can't even say anything back because of how shocked and played they feel. "Cumming at someones neck" Which you and your Father do because you said what I said means something different were you come from, so obviously you experienced whats considered a joyous virtue where your from to point out to me that it means something different where you come from. Check and Mate.
@ StarWatchers Oh yeah, because Sony is talking non stop about their straight up rip off motion based controllers from an inferior console.
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