Do you think things like Project Natal are a step in the right direction?

I honestly think it's too soon. They should wait for the next generation XBOX and do it there.

Right now, it seems like MS is shoehorning Natal to the systems. I mean, the systems itself won't be an enhanced console or graphically more powerful, so it makes little sense to promote the thing. It feels like a really advanced Eye-Toy.

The Wii was built around the Wii-Mote and motion controls, but Natal (or Sony's motion controls) are built around the systems. I just don't see the point, really. It's not like all the millions of casual Wii-owners are going to trade in or sell their Wii's just so they can get Sony or MS's version of MS-Sports or MS-Fit. Also, the Wii has another huge demographic that MS or Sony can't compete against: kids. Not to mention, Nintendo has Miyamoto and their own team that really no developer can compete with. I highly doubt MS or Sony's casual market team can trump over Nintendo's. Also, Nintendo has such a huge head start, I think Natal and Sony's wand are more like experiments rather than something that should be taken seriously.

The Wii is perfect for the market Nintendo carved themselves with. And I don't see it shifting anytime soon. As for hardcore gamers, I also don't see Halo or Call of Duty players trading over their controllers just to use Natal, if they somehow incorporate Natal with FPSs or any other game.

All of this motion sensing stuff is crap imo.

My prediction is that there'll be some good games using Natal in unique games, but as soon as they start running out of ideas the 360 will just become another party game console.

The day they take a controller out of video gaming is the day I stop buying new systems. I like having a controller in my hand and controlling my character with buttons and analog sticks. It's going to come to the point where our psyhical condition is going to come into game play and I would hate that. What happens if I forget to pause the game and I walk into the bathoom and my player gets shot in the head ?

I even think the Wii is a bit much but I tolerate it.

I honestly think it's too soon. They should wait for the next generation XBOX and do it there.

Right now, it seems like MS is shoehorning Natal to the systems. I mean, the systems itself won't be an enhanced console or graphically more powerful, so it makes little sense to promote the thing. It feels like a really advanced Eye-Toy.

The Wii was built around the Wii-Mote and motion controls, but Natal (or Sony's motion controls) are built around the systems. I just don't see the point, really. It's not like all the millions of casual Wii-owners are going to trade in or sell their Wii's just so they can get Sony or MS's version of MS-Sports or MS-Fit. Also, the Wii has another huge demographic that MS or Sony can't compete against: kids. Not to mention, Nintendo has Miyamoto and their own team that really no developer can compete with. I highly doubt MS or Sony's casual market team can trump over Nintendo's. Also, Nintendo has such a huge head start, I think Natal and Sony's wand are more like experiments rather than something that should be taken seriously.

The Wii is perfect for the market Nintendo carved themselves with. And I don't see it shifting anytime soon. As for hardcore gamers, I also don't see Halo or Call of Duty players trading over their controllers just to use Natal, if they somehow incorporate Natal with FPSs or any other game.

ASK_Story

Kids aren't the new market the Wii has discovered. Kids don't fear controllers and never have and aren't particularly adverse to violence. Kids are the original gamers, and gamingpre-Wii hadgrown organically as people like me that started gaming when they were kidsgrew older (started at 3, now I'm 35). Its older people (people for whom gaming has always been a stupid hobby of their kids and grandkids) that have made the Wii the success it is.

Moving on to the main topic, NATAL and Sony's wand are useful as training wheels for programmers of the X720 and PS4, but its unlikely either peripheral is going to translate into nursing homes tossing their Wiis and stocking up on X360s or PS3s.

A smart way for Sony and MS to chase casuals sans new hardware is just by releasing a broader range of games. Nintendo has been releasing successful minigame collections for generations, so I don't think Sony or MS is going to equal their skill in that arena, but I believe their are other paths to the hearts of casual gamers. The Sims is a wonderful example of a casual game which has become a massive success.

Im sick of all these "innovative" ventures like the wiimote and Natal. I DO NOT want some newfangled gimmick to control my games with. Even if it works very very well.....i still DO NOT want it.

I want games that are fun and a standard controller to play them with. Its that simple. I dont want a lazer nunchuck addon that doubles as a fishing reel and a tennis racket.

They should stop trying to innovate the input method and start trying to innovate the actual games we are playing. 75% of all software these days is nothing more than shovelware or rehash "cash-in" crap.

I really cant fathom how ANY game could ever be controlled better or be more fun with a motion input method. They are too preoccupied with "can we do this" and they never stop to think if they SHOULD do it.

All of this motion sensing stuff is crap imo.

Raikoh_

Pretty much agree. I own a Wii and the majority of games I own don't really even utilise the motion controls. If a game has the option of using motion control or not (e.g. Punch-Out) thenI never use the motion controls. I've never been a massive PC gamer but the push toward all the motion control stuff is really pushing me toward it. I'll probably stick to handhelds if motion controls are the primary method of input next gen.