Cliffy B talks Gears 3, obviously.

Maybe its just me, but why do I get the feeling that Cliffy B still believes Gears of War 3 will be a surprise? I saw posters online while using google to look up ANYTHING on Gears 3, and that said November (17th) 2010. Photo shopped? maybe since I can't find them again.

Honestly though.

Gears:2006
(+2 years of development)
Gears 2:2008
(+2 years of development)
Gears 3:2010

We've waited long enough, and the way he talks makes it seem that Gears of War 3 COULD be out this year. Sure there is concern of Gears 3 and Halo Reach "affecting" each other, but i'm getting both games for sure regardless of when they come out. All those games of 2009 were pushed back because of Modern Warfare 2, and that's been a stupid move so far.

I didn't know Epic's tech was used for Natal, but I do remember Cliff saying Gears wouldn't use Natal. The "hybrid game" description in regards to the uses of Natal makes me wonder if he changed his tune with using Natal for Gears 3.

I am happy that he browses forums to find feedback and realizes how redundant and repetitive Gears of War 2 matchmaking is, I hope Gears 3 improves on that.

Gears of War 2 seems forgotten nowadays, and that's a shame. Horde mode was much more fun than say, Firefight, and the Co-op of Gears campaign was WAY better done than Halo 3. Halo 3 had you all fighting the same number of aliens, Gears split up the players and made a much more satisfying Co-Op experience. Spec Ops on Modern Warfare 2 is about the same, but Gears encouraged you to defend your teammate.

Gears of War 2 was such a major improvement over the first one, I seriously can't wait till we see the third.

Arc vs Natal

The motion control wars was supposed to start this spring with the Sony motion controller getting a 6 month or more head start over Natal with Arc. Arc is a suggested decision on the name of Sony's motion controller if you didn't already know.

Well I was curious to see what people would say about Arc, but Brutal Gamer brought to my attention that this has changed.

“We have decided to release the Motion Controller in fall 2010 when we will be able to offer an exciting and varied line-up of software titles that will deliver the new entertainment experience to PS3 users." -Kaz Hirai

While I don't agree with Brutal Gamer's article that this kills any chance for Sony to outdo Natal, it is a loss of a good head start for them.

Speaking of Natal, Brutal Gamer also lets us know about a possible November 2010 release (early birthday present 4 me?). They also speculate on this article from MCV about the supposed price and shipping details.

so after sifting through all those articles, i've let it sink in. 50-80 dollars for Natal?! Holy crap, what a good price. Almost a dirt cheap price when you think about it, and if it's just a little better than it was at E3 those 5 million units will disappear FAST!

So now you will have to decide if you have both consoles which to buy first, and single console owners will have yet another piece of hardware for the fanboy flame wars.

Microsoft talks Project Natal at CES 10

This year's Consumer Electronics Show has gone underway, and what a way to start off the year of 2010 (which I am now just going to be calling "the future") than with a presentation about the most futuristic piece of hardware coming out, Natal.

I watched a few different videos that you can take a look at below:

Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3

I really appreciate them diving more into the technology front in their explanations, even if they didn't dive too deep. It's understandable, however, since they don't want other companies like Sony or Nintendo stealing their technology. at the very least not until theirs is released. Which is something else that he announced at the keynote speech. The release date for Natal is this Holiday, 2010.

I'm personally very excited for Natal, even though I am still a tiny bit skeptical. It definitely seems like they've been working on smoothing things out since E3, and if nothing else works as good as it should, I'd at least like to be able to navigate my Xbox's menus using my hands.

Here's to you, Project Natal, and here's to the future of gaming, and really, entertainment.

More Bragging Rights for Natal?

Project Natal is eagerly awaited for what it could hold in motion control technology, especially with the fact that there is no controller. It's you. That's the mantra it has been selling since its introduction at E3.

Major Nelson posted news regarding a new achievement of Natal in TIME magazine.

It is a great accomplishment to be honored in TIME magazine, even with concerns over how well Natal will work. People are cynical enough to probably down this achievement since testing of Natal has been limited, so take it with a grain of salt. Sure, I will personally see if Natal deserves the recognition or lives up to the hype, but Microsoft clearly wants Natal to be as good as they proclaim it to be. This award is sure to solidify their credibility in technology...

*thinks about Red Ring of Death*

...Or maybe not. haha.

Microsoft Announces Natal Partners

Here is the list

On that list, I note possibilities I want to see.

EA: Right now the only game published by them that I care about is Valve's Left 4 Dead, I want EA to give a Natal development kit to Valve. Wouldn't it be awesome as hell to motion control claw at people you smoke or hunt, I'm liking the idea. And since Left 4 Dead is only on Xbox (yeah yeah PC too), it's likely they will try Natal.

Activision: *hate this company* Well let's see, will they make Modern Warfare 3? If they do, it'd be nice to throw a knife at someone by motion control. Or throw a grenade, or pretend you have a satchel detonator in your hand. You guys get the idea.

Disney: Hold a Mickey Mouse doll in front of Natal and get an acheivement. Lulz.

MTV Games: They are involved with Rock Band, how about having the avatar mimic how you react while holding the guitar?

That's some of my ideas but take the news as you will of who's involved, including Hideo Kojima.

Harmonix, Rock Band 3, and Natal

Rock Band 3 yo!

I always wondered, would I buy a third Rock Band game? No i'm not talking about Beatles Rock Band, I actually am not interested in that game. But I thought Rock Band 2 would be my last Rock Band Franchise game i would get, until Harmonix had this to say.

"We aren't standing still – we will keep moving into new areas and look at new technologies that our platform holder partners are also developing, such as Project Natal from Microsoft,"

Natal eh? that catches my interest. Imagine if you didnt have to see your avatar on stage rock in random directions, imagine if you avatar mimics your movements through Natal. That's a nice idea but I bet Harmonix has more ideas in store than that, and I'm curious to what they will implement.

Does this mean Natal will come out in September, that's the release month for Harmonix's games so Natal would have to be out if they're including such functionality.

No More Heroes coming to Xbox?

Desperate Struggle to be finale for Wii

The Developer CEO of No More Heroes has signaled it's departure from the Nintendo Wii and has expressed interest in going beyond the limits of the Wiimote to the Xbox and Natal.

Natal has been a controversy for the revolution in motion controller technology it could represent but also for how it could lose its appeal quick, and be a big flop for the Xbox 360. So it doesn't hurt when a franchise exclusive to the Wii will stand behind the technology. You can't blame the open window Natal appears to offer for the motion driven gameplay in the No More Heroes series.

If they are moving away from being an exclusive Wii title to go to Xbox, I bet Grasshopper wouldn't look towards the PS3 with the complexity issues for developing with the PS3 and its motion controller being as limited as the Wiimote.

So Natal has another positive on it's side in that it is attracting developers, and if Grasshopper decides to go, Xbox users get an exclusive title from the franchise.

We'll see what they decide. I for one don't show much interest in the game...yet. Lets hope moving to the 360 gives it a chance to change it's look a little, the graphics don't appeal to me much.

Halo Reach to be Natal Compatible

WHAT!

The idea of a Halo game in cooperation with Natal seems kinda cool with all the ideas people have, chucking grenades like you really are. Crouching to avoid shots would be cool too.

But geez, would they program all of the moves into Natal? That is what I am worried about.

But hey this also means that Natal is going to be released no later than the fall of 2010, but I suspect it will come out sooner. Maybe Spring if we're lucky, and I've got to say there is indeed no better way to kick Natal forward than with a Halo title. But, that hasn't always been the case, Bungie must have been experimenting with Natal for a while now, idk if they did before the announcement of Natal but I wouldn't doubt they had an early look.

Natal May Be More Than You Bargained For

Link

"On this week's Listen Up podcast we discussed Natal, and David Ellis and I talked about what we've been hearing regarding the new technology -- and how it's actually the cornerstone of Microsoft's next evolution of the Xbox. Microsoft will not only release Natal as an add-on for the Xbox 360, it will come standard with the next Xbox console.

Yes, there will be a new Xbox console next fall."

Okay, first of all this is a rumor. BUT if its true, then Fall 2010 will bring us a new Xbox console. At first, I cried outrage and got mad..then I started thinking a Fall 2010 console would be a GOOD IDEA. Let's face it, the Xbox 360 won't be a classic collectors item with the RROD pains it gave us. But now it seems stupid to buy Natal in the spring when you can just wait till the new console comes out.
Once again, this is rumour right now. But i'm thinking its probably true, because Natal looks nothing like the Xbox 360, gaming peripherals USUALLY mimic their console's color and style. Natal didn't, so im better this will be confirmed later on.

The fact that I believe that a new console will come, I'm going to wonder what the price will be. Xbox is REALLY coming early with a new console, it will be a while before the others make a new one. And if they don't they will very likely price cut now, so if the new Xbox is around 400 dollars I'd probably go for it.

A mistake Nintendo must avoid

Link

Nintendo simply says they are unconcerned with the competition in motion technology from Sony and Microsoft. This may cause them problems. 

It's one thing for them to wave off challenges to their gaming empire, but it's another thing to act as though they arrived in the technology first. Sony, and to a larger extent Microsoft, are catching up in motion technology. Despite being a bit of a fanboy, Microsoft really has the world abuzz about Natal. Simply because you need nothing to use it, Rob's post about it being on Jummy Fallon adds to the hype.

Nintendo should worry about their technology such as Wii Fit and the Wiimote since Microsoft is especially aiming to make "physical" motion peripherals a thing of the past. Nintendo would like to avoid looking like it follows the crowd, it's avoided following the crowd for a very long time. But it just might have to if they want the Wii to succeed.

Currently the Wii balanced itself at E3 by offering long awaited sequels to their Famous titles and extended game libraries like Dead Space. But at the same time they were overshadowed by Sonys more recognized, polished, artistic, and awaited sequels and new projects. Nintendo has a casual gaming style, which can't fight Sony.

And Natal from Microsoft beat their Wiimotes into novelties from the views of gamers. Lets hope Nintendo does not sit and proudly name off their past achievements, and decides to play ball with what the other two have to offer.

E3 2009: Project Natal, My Thoughts

So, just moments ago at Microsoft's press conference, they unveiled the latest peice of hardware they've been working on. A lot of people were speculating about it being a motion controller, and I suppose you can call it that... Except, there's no controller. Project Natal takes your body movements, tracks them in 3D space, and uses them in-game. There's also voice commands, and various camera tricks used to really make you feel like you're in another world, and immerse yourself in the game.

When they started to show it, I admit, I was VERY skeptical. At first, I thought Natal was just another kind of Eye-toy or Vision Camera. I thought it'd be a gimmicky little add-on that wouldn't provide any sort of substance. At one point during the conference, I even said aloud "oh, this looks sooo gimmicky". It wasn't until they demoed the girl on stage playing Ricochet (a sort of 3D kind of Super Breakout game using your body as a paddle) that I got really excited about Natal.

They demoed more than a pretty cool Breakout clone, they demoed a paint program where you use iPhone-esque gestures to paint a simple picture. They showed how you can navigate menus with motion control, and move your avatar around in real-time. They even got a program with a boy named Milo, created by Peter Molyneux and his team, who actually responded to your emotions and what you were saying to him. I was totally blown away!

The whole thing looks like it actually WORKS. I've tried other camera-controlled games, I've played Totemball with my Vision Camera, I've played You're in the Movies. NONE of that stuff really works, it's completely clunky, and you look like an idiot trying to do something that should be simple.

If Natal delivers on what it's promising (and it looks like it will), then this will be a giant leap in not only the Xbox's increased market, not only Video Game History, but it will be a giant technological advancement, and an achievement in modern technology.