5 million Project Natal units available at launch?

According to a new MCV post, Microsoft is planning a November 2010 launch for its controller-free Project Natal, and will have 5 million units available at launch, alongside 14 games.

The details, say the site, come from a closed tour Microsoft has been having with UK publishers and studios showing off the technology in an effort to increase development.

The device will be available by itself for under �50 ($80 USD) with some publishers saying they expect it to retail for �30, as a way to bring in "impulse buyers." Natal will also be bundled with consoles and games.

So far, Activision, Bethesda, Capcom, Disney, EA, Konami, MTV, Namco Bandai, Sega, Square Enix, THQ and Ubisoft have all committed to creating games for the new technology.

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 11 Nov 2009 14:10

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5 comments

KSib

I wanna hear what kind of ideas people on AfterDawn have about Project Natal... as in ideas for what kind of NON-GIMMICKY titles could be made? By non-gimmicky, I mean, what GOOD games could come of this without just trying to sell to the casual gamers? Thawts?

11.11.2009 18:58 #1

LissenUp

Ok........so I just watched the video for this. What crap!!!

It's scharades with a video game. If I'm gonna play a driving game then I want to hold a wheel. That would be like having Kitt driving while I pretend to steer.

And...........what if I don't have a skateboard to scan?

The interactive video (calling friends) part is way cool though.

12.11.2009 01:24 #2

KillerBug

Yeah...this looks downright dumb. I'm sure that I'm not the only one who tried the WiiWheel, and found it to be nothing like driving...this is even worse; not even a fake wheel!

I don't see how you could made a good game for this platform. Gamers want feedback...or at the very least, they want to know when they are pressing a button. Natal cannot even provide the level of feedback from the orriginal "Pong".

Martial arts games: Very few gamers can actualy do any of the moves; those who can want to feel the kick/punch/etc land, and their ballance and next moves are based on this.

Driving games: feedback is very important; the newer driving wheels simulate every pebble in the road to try to take maximum advantage of this. Even a $20 econo-wheel would provide a more realistic experience.

Shooting games: Not many people want to use their finger as a gun...especialy when you can get a lightgun for so cheap, and they still don't sell.

Adventure/MMORPG games: The whole point of playing on the 360/PS3/PC is that you don't have to get off your &ss; if you are going to stand up and walk arround, you might as well do it outside!

It's just another gimick; somewhere between the Nintendo Virtual Boy and Sony sixaxis...but it still might capture a few customers away from the Wii.

The reason they will launch with 5 million units is because the launch will be most of the total sales for Natal. Once the word gets out that the games are actualy worse than sixaxis games, and that it is nothing but a gimick, they will have lots of trouble selling it. By launching with 5 million units, they hope to make $400,000,000 gross...this should more than cover development costs.

12.11.2009 05:15 #3

KSib

I'm gonna agree with KillerBug on this one. After you mentioned the Mario Kart Wii wheel especially. That thing was a piece of a crap. Bring back the GunCon please... what is everyone DOING!? Imagine a TimeCrisis game like in the arcades where there's actually recoil. I'd freak out (in a good way) lol. It's hard for me to reserve judgment even if it isn't out yet, but it smells a whole lot like gimmick.

Casual gamers are easier to please so maybe that's what developers have been aiming at for the past year or so. *shrug*

12.11.2009 16:23 #4

bam431

Can't wait to get 2 and make Milo talk to Milo

13.11.2009 23:40 #5

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