New, affordable Xbox motion controller slated for November 2010 release
New, affordable Xbox motion controller slated for November 2010 release
Show all 2Microsoft's new motion-tracking video game technology, known as Project Natal, is set for release in November 2010 and will cost less than expected, even dipping below £50 ($83 / €55), according to British industry website MCVUK. The camera peripheral combines infra-red with video technology to accurately track 3D movement, with the potential to do away entirely with hand-held controllers.
The enthusiastic uptake of Nintendo's Wii motion controls since 2006 has prompted both Sony and Microsoft to implement a similar technology for their own consoles.
Both companies used June's Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in California to announce the development of motion controllers for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 respectively.
Microsoft demonstrated Project Natal at the summer conference with a brick-breaking, ball-busting activity game, a virtual painting application, an endorsement by Hollywood film director Stephen Spielberg, and a preview of industry veteran Peter Molyneux's new virtual friend game, Sam & Milo. Project leader Kudo Tsunoda's enthusiastic demonstration led to the internet meme "Bam! There it is."
Sony, meanwhile, showed off their PlayStation Motion Controller with a behind-the-scenes, work-in-progress demonstration, illustrating potential in-game usage. The PlayStation Eye camera already incorporates motion tracking - 2007's enhanced board game The Eye Of Judgement and 2009's virtual pet game EyePet are good examples - and the Motion Controllers, which offer extended functionality and accuracy, have been chalked up for a spring 2010 release.
Nintendo, meanwhile, recently introduced a precision-enhancing upgrade to their controllers called the Wii MotionPlus.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies