Project Natal is a rubbish name for a motion-sensing controller, but then nobody seriously expected Microsoft to stick with that for its latest Xbox 360 gizmo.

According to NowGamer, “sources close to Microsoft” have revealed that the final name for Natal will simply be ‘Wave’, and that Microsoft will confirm this detail at next week’s E3 expo in Los Angeles.

Obviously, Microsoft is refusing to comment on the rumors and speculation, though ‘Wave’ is certainly a plausible name. It’s a safe choice, but also simple, memorable, and pretty descriptive of what the Natal experience will involve (though this video suggests ‘Flail’ might be more appropriate).

It’s also similar to Sony’s rival motion-sensing controller, PlayStation Move. Now all each company has to do is make sure people give a damn.

See also: The future of videogaming makes me want to cry

[Via NOWGamer]

[RUMOR] Give us a Wave: Microsoft Natal gets new name is a post from: The Inquisitr

Enter Microsoft’s Project Natal and Sony’s PlayStation Move, two separate add-ons that control games using motion … but have they come to late?

A new study conducted by research bods at OTX has discovered that only 8 percent of Xbox 360 owners intend to use Natal, while only 6 percent of PS3’s market will be investing in Move.

That’s pretty poor, though in defense of the two add-ons, public knowledge of the two devices is still relatively low – only 15 percent of both PS3’s and Xbox 360’s market knew about the controllers. That should go up next week at the E3 expo, where both will be showed off, and as marketing for the devices kicks in.

I’m desperately curious to see how this shapes out, especially as the Wii’s novelty seems to be wearing thin with consumers after three and a half years on the market. Wii sales have been down throughout 2010, which sort of suggests the thirst for motion-controlled games has been quenched.

[Via VG247]

Basically, nobody’s interested in Natal or PlayStation Move is a post from: The Inquisitr

Microsoft has shown little of its Project Natal controller for the Xbox 360 to the public. Instead, the company prefers to show the motion-sensing device off in slick promotional trailers. Slick (if slightly creepy) promotional trailers like this:

And here’s the depressing reality, starring Parade Magazine journalist A.J. Jacobs and his family and a Natal-only game called River Rush:

Way to make me never want to play Natal, guys.

[Via Engadget]

[VIDEO] The future of videogaming makes me want to cry is a post from: The Inquisitr

Obviously, it’s worth highlighting that this is still not confirmed by Microsoft. Indeed, Microsoft big cheese Aaron Greenberg dismissed the rumors on Twitter, stating that, “Retailers are not yet aware of pricing details for Project Natal and pre-order pricing is pure speculation.”

It’s a tad strange how three retailers conjured up the same price on the same day, but there you go. I’m not going to call the man a liar.

Obviously, we’ve heard all sorts of rumored prices for Natal, from $50 and now $200, but I’d guess the real price lies between these. $200 would be obscene for a device that I believe Microsoft needs to make an impulse purchase.

Frankly, such a price tag would bury Natal before it got started. PlayStation Move, it’s worth remembering, is half that price.

[Via MTV Multiplayer]

[RUMOR] Microsoft’s Project Natal to cost $200? is a post from: The Inquisitr

This commercial is the latest in Sony’s excellent “Kevin Butler” series (see more of these amusing TV spots here), and starts by poking fun at the limitations of boxing in Wii Sports. It swiftly moves on to snorting derisively at the lack of buttons on the hands-free Project Natal:

“I mean, come on, who wants to pretend their hand is a gun? What is this, third grade? Pew pew!”

Juvenile, but humorous. Ball’s in your court, Nintendo and Microsoft.

[YouTube, via Kotaku]

[VIDEO] First PlayStation Move ad slags off Wii, Microsoft’s Natal is a post from: The Inquisitr

Sony and Microsoft will both release motion-sensing controllers this year, for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 respectively. Let’s face it: by bringing motion-sensing games to their consoles, S & M are copying Nintendo’s Wii, or at least being heavily influenced by it, if you were feeling kind.

Thing is, they don’t seem too fazed about outright nabbing Nintendo’s idea. Actually, they’re pretty shameless, and now Nintendo bossman Reggie Fils-AIme has stepped in to say they should both be embarrassed:

“I think a hallmark of Nintendo is that we are constantly trying to innovate. I think we would have been embarrassed to do what our competitors are currently doing.”

Ouch. Take that.

Fils-Aime also went on to promise that the Wii’s successor will again prove innovative: “For us high definition by itself is not the next frontier,” he told Kotaku. “For us we need to provide a whole new compelling experience in our next generation.”

[Via Kotaku]

Nintendo: We’d be “embarrassed” if we were Sony or Microsoft is a post from: The Inquisitr

He’s already predicted that the Xbox 360′s motion-sensing ‘Natal’ controller will outsell the PlayStation 3 equivalent, the ‘Arc’. Now, Wedbush Securities analyst Michael Pachter has produced numbers - and his vision of the future will not please Sony.

Pachter thinks Natal will shift 10 million units within a year of going on sale, while the PlayStation Arc will be limited to “1 to 2 million” sales. In other words, according to Pachter, Natal will outsell Arc by 5 to 1 units. Why? is it because Arc looks like a sex toy? Surprisingly (and boringly) no:

“I think that the Sony motion controller will have some problems gaining traction, since it is not an “in the box” solution. That will probably limit adoption to 1 or 2 million at the outset. A year or so after launch, there will be 10 million [Project Natal units] out there, which will probably attract more third-party support.”

So there you go, Pachter isn’t just betting small change on Natal, but pretty much every last one of his earthly possessions.

[Via VG247]

Analyst: Microsoft’s Natal to outsell Sony’s Arc 5 to 1 is a post from: The Inquisitr

Microsoft will launch its new motion-sensing Natal peripheral for the Xbox 360 later this year, a piece of kit that enables users to interact with their console without the need to touch a game controller. I’m sure there’ll be much trumpeting of the new add-on (pictured above, with a cretin) when it launches, but remember this: Nintendo turned it down first.

That’s according to a “top insider,” who spilled the beans to CVG. CVG’s mole revealed that Israeli firm 3DV Systems showed off an early demo of Natal at Nintendo HQ in Kyoto, Japan at the end of 2007. Microsoft signed up the tech in 2008, and revealed it to the public in June 2009, with (amongst other things) creepy ‘boy sim’ Milo.

In fairness to Natal, which does actually look rather nifty, Nintendo’s refusal wasn’t a comment on the technology itself. Instead, Nintendo boss Satoru Iwata declined the chance to sign up the device because he didn’t believe it could be marketed at a mass-market price. Says the mysterious informer:

“Iwata-San only ever invests in something he can guarantee will work for a Nintendo audience. 3DV showed off a camera that detected motion in 3D, and had voice recognition – but Iwata-San was unconvinced he could sell it at a Nintendo price point. He also had some worries around latency during gameplay.”

“Honestly – I’ve heard Iwata describe the prototype he saw at length, and it’s definitely Natal. What we witnessed at E3 was smaller and the facial [reading] stuff had improved, but it’s the same technology. We remain unconvinced Natal will deliver on the more sophisticated elements of what Microsoft is promising at the price they’re aiming for.”

There’s no confirmed price for Natal yet, but many industry commentators are predicting a price point of around $50. That’s pretty cheap, if it really is capable of the Milo demo I linked above. Which I don’t think it will be. So there.

[Via CVG]

Nintendo turned down Microsoft’s Natal technology is a post from: The Inquisitr

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