On June 1, 2009 Microsoft announced at E3 that they were developing a hands free controller. Microsoft referred to the new device as "Project Natal". Microsoft announced that "Project Natal would be released in the fourth quarter of 2010. Project Natal incorporates controller-free gaming with the Xbox 360 console. Project Natal incorporates a players body movements into games rendering the need of a controller. Project Natal is Microsoft's version of the Sony's Eye Toy. If you do not know what the Sony Eye Toy is then dont worry because only the die hard Sony Playstation fans do. No offense intended, but the reality is that the Sony Eye Toy was equivalent to the definition of an epic failure. Sony made two mistakes which prevented the device from attracting users and game developer. First of all the device was unable to pick some of the movements that the players made. The first problem played a major role in the second problem which is that only 21 games were designed for the device over a 5 year time period. Sony was unable to get game designers and developers on board to produce games for the Eye Toy. I mention the epic failure of the Sony Eye Toy as a reminder that motion sensor gaming was being used for gaming console before the Nintendo Wii. Project Natal is Microsofts answer to the Nintendo Wii. Microsoft realized that Nintendo revitalized there video gaming console reputation using motion sensor gaming with Wii console. Hopefully Mircosoft learned from Sony's mistakes and will prevent history from repeating it's self. I wouldn't be surprised if Microsoft's next gaming console incorporated more controller free user interaction. If Microsoft successfully implements Project Natal it will represent a stepping stone into the future of video gaming. Since the Xbox 360 has the largest selection of Online shooter games compared to the Playstation 3 and the Nintendo Wii it would only make sense that Microsoft would incorporate first person and third person online shooting games. If any of you have seen the movie Gamer then you have a good idea of what I am imagining the future of gaming will be like. It is possible that Mircosft will make a device that will be utilized by corporate companies and the government as virtual training. I wouldn't be surprised if Microsoft has already signed deals with game developers like Ubitsoft, EA, etc. Aside from speculation there are a couple of things that are for certain.

The Project Natal device will connect through your Xbox 360 as a wired and wireless device. The Wireless version will most likely cost more and may not pick up on on some of your body movement depending on signal strength. The wired version will most likely cost less and will be more effective, but as some of you know USB 2.0 cables have a distance of limitation of 5 meters(15 feet). The length of the USB cable will determine the latancey time that it takes for your motion to each the console. Also you must take into account that the device will be powered by the USB if the device is wired. So considering those variable the cable length should be maxed at 3 meters(9 feet).