Demonstrations of Project Natal

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you will probably be aware of the huge changes afoot in the world of gaming. The arrival of Microsoft’s Project Natal, which will be used in conjunction with the Xbox 360, has ensured that the future of gaming will make dreams a reality.

So far, Microsoft creative director, Kudo Tsunoda, has wowed, among others, the attendees of the Tokyo Game Show and E3 2009, with working demonstrations of the Natal system. The revelation of Natal is a truly exciting time for developers and gamers alike.

Natal uses an infrared motion-sensing camera that not only makes the humble controller redundant, but is also capable of adjusting the computer-generated playing space to fit the actual playing space of your room. In other words, during physically demanding games, the Natal will not force you to run into a wall or fall over your couch. In addition, the infrared camera can operate in all lighting conditions.

One of the games that Tsunoda has been demonstrating is an extremely physical game that has offered an insight into the future of sports gaming. The ricochet game, demonstrated at both E3 and the Tokyo Game Show, is described as dodge ball-like, as players are required to use any part of their body to deflect a ball; the aim being to destroy a 3D wall by hitting the bricks with the ricocheted ball.

However, Microsoft’s innovation is perhaps best demonstrated by the Natal version of Burnout Paradise. Amazingly, no controller is required. A player simply places his, or her, foot on an imaginary accelerator pedal and puts his, or her, hands directly in front to hold an invisible steering wheel. The response and handling of this game is said to be phenomenal and what’s more, there is no time lag between the movement of the player and the reaction in the game.

Tsunoda has explained that Burnout Paradise will not be a future game for Natal; it is simply a working demonstration to illustrate the potential for the technology. If Burnout Paradise is anything to go by, gaming as we know it is about to change forever.

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