UK games site MCV is claiming to have the first details for the launch of Project Natal, Microsoft’s controller-free Xbox 360 device.

The salient facts are as follows: in Britain, Project Natal will hit stores in November 2010, have 14 games available from launch, and will sell for a sub-£50 ($83) price tag. Apparently, Microsoft will be shipping 5m units globally.

These details reportedly come from a behind-closed-doors Microsoft tour of UK game publishers, and as such are fairly credible. Either way, it’s the first we’ve heard about the Natal launch since the device was unveiled back in June.

Sub-£50 is a smart move – getting Natal as close to an impulse buy as possible will be vital. We’ve already seen what giving Wii Sports away for the low price of free did for the Wii. It could still do with a name change, if you ask me.

Admittedly, I’m still not totally convinced that flailing my limbs around to play games is something I’ll fall in love with, though at least I’ve a whole year to become a convert.

[Via MCV]

[RUMOR] Project Natal launch details revealed is a post from: The Inquisitr

Microsoft has announced Project Natal, a Wii like sensing tool on steroids.

Project Natal combines a RGB camera, depth sensor, multi-array microphone and custom processor running proprietary software to track full body movement while responding to commands, directions and even a shift of emotion in the voice.

Other impressive features: Project Natal is not light-dependent, and can recognize a user by looking at their face. The voice recognition tools are claimed to “understand” what a user is saying, allowing users to call up games and more.

Naturally Project Natal is being talked about as a Wii killer, particularly by those who have never really embraced the Wii. But it’s not a Wii killer, and there’s a key reason why: games. Wii succeeds due to its emphasis on casual gaming; while Project Natal might open the door for more casual gaming on the XBox 360, there’s a long way to go. However in fine fashion something should be killed, and in this case it’s the Playstation. Why buy an overly expensive Playstation 3 when you can buy an XBox 360 which also offers a somewhat Wii like experience?

Here’s the Project Natal demo video:

Project Natal: Microsoft’s Playstation Killer is a post from: The Inquisitr