Microsoft announces Natal, the next controller for the Xbox 360

Microsoft announces a slew of improvements to the Xbox 360 and Xbox Live, topped off with what could be the biggest controller announcement ever made: no controller at all!

[Edit: We've finally found some video! Check out the vision trailer everyone saw at the press conference at the bottom of the page.]

The Xbox 360 hardware revolution

Microsoft calls it "Project Natal." It's a new piece of technology that uses depth-sensing cameras, microphones, and specialized software to enable voice and facial recognition, full body motion sensing, and the ability to play just about any game without a controller in your hands.

At today's Microsoft press conference, which served as the unofficial start to E3 (the show floor doors don't open until tomorrow), Steven Spielberg walked out on the stage and talked about a 'controller' that "not only recognizes your thumbs and fingers, but your entire body." With it, we'd be able to wrap our fingers around imaginary steering wheels, leap onto imaginary skateboards, or judo-duel with imaginary enemies, seeing all our free movements reflected on-screen, in real time.

Now, granted, we had an idea that this sort of motion sensing was on the horizon, and had even seen creative director Kudo Tsunoda flipping through dashboard menus with simple waves of his hands. But on stage today, Kudo stepped in front of the camera and was instantly recognized and logged into his Xbox Live profile. His avatar matched his every movement (if a little jerkily), and he proceeded to play 3D breakout with his body as the paddle.

It's certainly exciting, but it's also nowhere near ready for public consumption, so Microsoft had a few other announcements as well. Xbox Live is getting a bevy of new additions, including full 1080p streaming support for all its movies and TV shows (that's streaming, not downloads) in a system Microsoft is calling "Instant-On 1080p HD." They've also partnered with three other companies: the UK's Sky TV to bring live video to the console, and Facebook and Twitter to integrate social networking into your dashboard.

We'll have video for you as soon as we can, folks! In the meantime, E3's only just begun, and GamePro will keep you updated just as fast as our furious fingers can type.

SEE ALSO: E3 2009: Microsoft Keynote (Liveblog)
SEE ALSO: Halo: Reach revealed
SEE ALSO: Square Enix starts its E3 early with Nier

Comments [26]

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eday_2010

Definitely looks very promising and interesting. Far better than anything the EyeToy or Xbox Vision camera can do.

The12P

If this works as advertised, Microsoft will have created the most user friendly video game controller in the history of man. Truely revolutionary and nice to see that Microsoft can still think outside the box.

wutisupmon

If this can work half as well as it did in the video it'll be revolutionary.

shortANDcurlies

It's nice to see MS pushing the innovation envelope here, instead of just making their own version of the Nintendo Wiimote... I don't think any of the companies are so low that they would copycat the Wimote with some cheesy controller of their own and TRY to ride in on Nintendo's coat-tails.

I mean they all have a bit more self worth than that.

JPThunder01

shortANDcurlies wrote:

It's nice to see MS pushing the innovation envelope here, instead of just making their own version of the Nintendo Wiimote... I don't think any of the companies are so low that they would copycat the Wimote with some cheesy controller of their own and TRY to ride in on Nintendo's coat-tails.
I mean they all have a bit more self worth than that.

Yeah it's good to see MS trying to take motion sensing to the next level rather than copying Nintendo outright.. it looks like Nintendo's going to have to step up it's game sooner rather than later.

ViciousSid

Saw this technology at last year's GDC -- it was impressive but far from perfect. The other big question is cost. Overall though, Natal has a ton of promise.

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