E3: MS unveils hands-free Project Natal

At the E3 video-game convention in Los Angeles yesterday, Microsoft confirmed plans for a sensor-based Xbox 360 control system being developed under the "Project Natal" code name. The system uses full-body motion sensing and voice commands to let people control the action on screen, without requiring traditional video-game controllers.It is basically a prototype camera that can be used as a controller for the Xbox 360.The camera eliminates the need for a handheld input device — instead, the gizmo can track a player's full body movement, recognize their face and voice, scan images of real items and respond to both physical and vocal commands.

Microsoft also debuted 10 exclusive new games and several additions to the Xbox Live online service at their flashy Electronic Entertainment Expo press conference at University of Southern California's Galen Center.


But the biggest gee-whiz moment came when Microsoft senior vice president Don Mattrick and Steven Spielberg introduced "Project Natal."


"Two months ago, Don shared with me the 'Natal' experience, and the gamer in me went out of my mind when I got to be really interactive with this," said Spielberg, a game developer as well as filmmaker. "More dramatically, I felt like I was present for a historic moment, a moment as significant as the transformation from the square-shaped movie screen to CinemaScope and then to IMAX.".The company says it's making the technology available to video-game developers to incorporate into games.Microsoft hasn't said how much Natal will cost or when it will be available, but it has confirmed that the tech will work with all existing Xbox 360 consoles.Spielberg and “his teams” will be working on projects for Natal.

During the news conference, "Project Natal" was demonstrated with three prototype programs -- "Ricochet," a soccer-like game that required players to use their entire body to bounce balls at targets; "Paint Party," an art-making program that used the player's body as the brush; and "Milo," a virtual boy who communicated and interacted with the player.

Among the 10 new games announced that will be released exclusively on the Xbox 360: the open-world action sequel "Crackdown 2," New Orleans-set zombie-killing sequel "Left 4 Dead 2," stealthy third-person shooter "Splinter Cell Conviction," sleek racer "Forza Motorsport 3," first-person shooter "Halo: ODST" and psychological thriller "Alan Wake."