Xbox 360 Project Natal provides controller-free gaming. Camera and tech demos like Milo shown

5 June 2009

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Posted by:Josh

One of the biggest unveils of E3 2009 was Microsoft’s Project NATAL for Xbox 360. Microsoft’s answer to Nintendo’s motion controller devices.

Project NATAL is the code-name (and possible final name) for Microsoft’s new 3D camera and mic peripheral that sits in front of your TV not unlike the Wii’s Sensor Bar. The peripheral can be used to capture images, control onscreen avatars, and interact with onscreen environments in new and exciting ways.

The device seems to use dual cameras to detect motion in three dimensions. A built-in mic detects sounds and records audio for interpretation by games that will use it. Outside of that, little else is known about the specifications of the NATAL in terms of connectivity or even the resolution of the cameras, as Microsoft didn’t divulge that information.

But it was what this baby can do that really impressed those at the show and proved that Microsoft is going in a completely different direction than Nintendo (or Sony, who showed off their own motion control device that was more in line with what the Wii offers).

Through various tech demos, Microsoft showed off the impressive technology which allows you to literally MOVE in 3D space by moving your body. The first tech demo shown allowed the person to paint a picture by literally throwing paint onto a flat wall using gestures and voice commands to select different colors.

Of the regular demos the most impressive in my personal opinion was called Ricochet. In that one you control your on-screen Avatar as balls come flying at you. You then have to knock them back by flailing your arms, legs and any part of your body that you can get to hit a ball. However unlike the Wii or EyeToy, in this game you literally had to use all parts of your body. The Avatar’s movements were then reflected accordingly. In addition the closer you got to the camera the harder your swats would be. It was also impressive how your Avatar can literally move around virtual arena as you literally move your body. Meaning if you step forward, your Mii will step forward. This tech demo was fast, furious, fun and looked like it would give you a great workout if played as intended.

Ricochet NATAL Stage Demo

However as cool as the above tech demos were, the device was raised to a whole new level when Microsoft brought out Lionhead’s Peter Molyneux (creator of Fable) who introduced the world to “Milo”. A highly realistic character that players can interact with using NATAL and voice commands. By talking to him like a regular person, he would respond accurately. You could even interact with his world. For example by waving your hands in front of the TV you can “touch” the on-screen water. Even cooler, you can draw a picture and the camera will scan it and you could literally give it to Milo. It was like a much deeper, much more accessible and much less creepy Seaman. Seaman of the next-generation, if you will. And having Molyneux on board really gave it an air of authenticity that it wouldn’t have without.

. . . And to drive that point home Microsoft then brought out the one and only, Steven Spielberg. He praised the NATAL and what it can do for videogames by allowing people who’ve never played a game to easily get into it. And by allowing people to break the “controller” barrier and play a game controller-free. But even more than that he also talked about how it can truly be used to elevate the gaming experience to whole new levels. He has already started working on videogame projects that will involve NATAL.

Check out videos of the tech demos at Microsoft’s E3 2009 Press Conference to see the device in action yourself.

SPLAT NATAL Stage Demo

And heeeeeeere’s Milo!

No further details on Project NATAL were released such as final name, pricing or release date.

However it is thought that Microsoft’s buy of 3DV Systems is what set them on this path of NATAL. 3DV systems is a small Israeli technology company who created a camera system that could ”sense distance in real time between an imaging sensor and the objects in its field of view (that is, the objects’ depth) at high speed and high resolution.” So it is likely that 3DV Systems were the developers behind NATAL.