Project Natal

Project Natal is a new application used by the Xbox 360, utilizing the new Project Natal sensor device. This new device senses movement by the player that can be translated into control of various applications used in conjunction with Project Natal applications. It also has voice recognition hardware built in to keep it totally hands free. This offers Xbox 360 owners the exciting new ability to feel more involved in their games, like they are actually within the games themselves. I am sure Nintendo feels a little anxious knowing that there is another console out there competing with functions similar to that of the Wii remote control motion sensor. Up until this point there really has not been any competition for the Wii, so it is dominated the motion controlled market. In my opinion Project Natal offers an even greater sense of involvement within your games, as you can utilize your whole body motion in order to control your games. If you want to see Project Natal in action simply go to YouTube, as there are plenty of videos out there covering Project Natal functions.

When you hear talk about Project Natal what people are really talking about is the Project Natal sensor device itself. The sensor is a bar, roughly nine inches (23 centimeters) measured horizontally, that you place anywhere above or below your video display. The sensor device is connected to a ball joint pivot base, which allows for it to be pointed in any direction, depending on where the user will be when it is being used. This is actually a great feature, because it allows users of any size (adult or child) to utilize the full area that the Project Natal sensory device can pick up.

Project Natal was unveiled at Microsofts E3 2009 Media briefing, and three technical demos were used to demonstrate the capabilities of the Project Natal sensory unit. Each one did a great job of showing what type of applications could be created using the sensory units motion detection abilities. (Ricochet) was the first of these demonstrations showcasing Project Natals capabilities. It is a game in which the user uses his or her whole body in order to bounce balls back towards targets on a wall. Balls are hurled virtually at the user and they have to predict where the ball is going to be in order to get their body in the correct position. One can easily see how Project Natal could offer a great workout, while still having fun playing a video game using a game such as Ricochet.

The second application used to showcase Project Natal was (Paint Party).  The player can use their body motion in order to splash paint onto a canvass and create their own virtual masterpiece. Not only that but with Project Natals voice recognition capabilities it allows the game to be totally hands free. If the player wants to change paint color they simply say aloud what color they want to use next. The game also has the ability to create stencils where the player poses and a picture is taken, creating an outline of the players body. Who knows, this could possibly be the art of the future, in which paintings are totally digital.

(Milo and Kate) was the third and final demonstration of Project Natal used at E3 2009. In this game the player could actually interact with a young virtual child named Milo and his dog, Kate. Although Milo was the only character used in this Project Natal demonstration, users can also interact with another character named Milly. This would be a great game for younger children to keep them active, as well as get them more involved in their games.

Project Natal offers a new option when it comes to games utilizing motion detection and voice recognition software. Now there is not just the Wii dominating the market, and a little competition will help move consoles into the next generation of gaming, in which the user can get more involved in their game. By making video games more involved, such as with Project Natal, we can help keep players active while the virtual world becomes a greater part of daily life. Although some may resist this virtual movement, it is almost a certain inevitability.