Many a times many of us dont like the restriction of the controller and by restriction I dont mean the range of the controller, but the controller itself. Yes, I am talking about a world of controller free gaming. A world where there are no restrictions, no cables, no line of sight adjustment of the controller. Ladies and Gentlemen let me tell you about Project Natal.
A controller free gaming experience codenamed Project Natal has been launched by Microsoft as an add on accessory to its present gaming console the XBOX 360. It enables the user to interact with the game interface with various body gestures, voice and presented pictures or objects.
The concept was announced on June 1, 2009 and Microsoft is aiming for it s commercial launch in the last quarter of 2010. Although the company has not yet released its price one speculator Mr. Michael Pachter has priced it at around $50. I think $50 is a quite a low price for such a revolutionizing technology but some of the people I know are willing to pay upto $200 for the Natal when the XBOX 360 is itself priced at $300 for the Elite model.
Lets have a look at the console itself. The Natal consists of a sensor which can be placed in front of you television and is a 9 inch horizontal bar. The sensor consists of an infrared projector which is then integrated with a monochrome CMOS sensor. This combined sensor works great in any light conditions whether it is bright or a bit dark. The sensor can be adjusted for some range depending on the user’s environment.
The sensor sends out rays which projects the users body and actions into gaming interface. It also has a built in voice recognition system to give spoken commands. One of the greatest feature is the use can use his/her accessories in the game itself for eg. Take a skateboarding game if the user do not like the boards in the game he/she can make the sensor take a picture of their own skateboard and use that in the game.
The main point that arises with every new technology is do we have the software and applications required to use it. The answer is usually ambiguous but in the case of Project Natal it is a definite Yes. At the launch itself three different games were shown which included:
- Ricochet: the body of the user is used to bounce ball of the blocks.
- Paint Party: where the person can draw, paint, splash colours, use stencils to create anything.
- Milo and Kate: in this the user interacts with a young child in the game.
Apart from the games demonstrated during the launch some companies like EA Games, Activision have already started working to develop games so as to include full functionality of the Natal. Some famous games like the Burnout Paradise, Space Invaders etc. have been adapted for the Natal as well. In the case of racing games the user has an invisible steering which is used to steer the car in the game. Even Mr. Steven Spielberg director and producer of movies like Transformers, Minority Report, The Terminal etc. has confirmed that he will be working on the games for Project Natal.
Apart from gaming the Project Natal can have many more applications like training surgeons, firemen etc. it can be used for designing etc. As a complete package the Natal with its endless possibilities can deliver much more than is being anticipated.
I think most of the gamers including me in the world are eagerly waiting for its launch. And for once moms wouldn’t have to worry about their children not getting any exercises because of computer gaming 
.
Check out the Project Natal’s Live Demo:
Project Natal Live Demo
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