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Natal is coming to PC too, says Gates

Published on 16th July 2009 by Joe Martin

Microsoft founder Bill Gates has indicated that Natal, which is just over a year away, is headed for PCs too - not just Xbox.

Microsoft founder Bill Gates has revealed the the camera-based Natal controller for the Xbox 360 will not be a console exclusive and is intended to appear on PCs too.

Talking to CNet, Gates said that the technology behind Natal will be used for much more than just Xbox 360 games and will also find a home on PCs, both for gaming and for other communication needs.

"I'd say a cool example of that, that you'll see... In a little over a year, is this (depth) camera thing, but for media consumption as a whole, and even if they connect it up to Windows PCs for interacting in terms of meetings, and collaboration, and communication," Gates said

"Both the Xbox guys and the Windows guys latched onto that and now, even since they latched onto it, the idea of how it can be used in the office is getting much more concrete and is pretty exciting,"

"And I think there's incredible value as we use that in the office connected to a Windows PC," he added.

The Natal controller system uses a variety of motion-detecting and object-recognition technologies to monitor user-interactions and create feedback based on everything from facial recognition to use of props.

Until now it was thought that the Natal system would require a new Xbox 360 to work, but that appears not to be the case. Instead, Natal will work with existing set-ups, but will be using the radical new tech to essentially re-launch the Xbox 360 in a series of new bundles.

Can't wait for Natal, or are you worried about the idea of having a geometry and face-scanning camera set up in your house and hooked up to the internet? Let us know in the forums.

13 Comments

Discuss in the forums Reply

Bauul 16th July 2009, 11:00

In theory it sounds awesome, but to be honest I'm holding out for evidence it actually works before getting excited. Motion sensing has promised lots and achieved little. I think everyone remembers the Red Steel trailor.

wuyanxu 16th July 2009, 11:03

i thought Gates have retired from Microsoft.

that's' good, if it works. any "Games for Windows" game that supports it on Xbox should support it on PC, which is the same ideal behind buying xbox360 controller.

dylAndroid 16th July 2009, 11:20

Tight. I think the success/utility of this will depend on how freely people can develop with it, as well as how it gets adopted. I'm actually excited to see how this gets used for non-game purposes. I know my digital media performance brethern will do fun stuff with it. I'm interested in seeing what kind of virtual environment interfaces people come up with, particularly with mixing in with video conferencing.

Sure, there are games that could come out of this, but as for that, what really had me interested was the head-tracking wii innovation that that guy figured out, in which he could also point another wiimote at the screen. Thus allowing for games where you actually have to manuver around for cover while shooting the guys on the screen. That'd be a fantastic game, and worth buying an entire system for. </tangent>

crayfish 16th July 2009, 11:49

"Until now it was thought that the Natal system would require a new Xbox 360 to work, but that appears not to be the case."

LOL wut?

I-E-D 16th July 2009, 12:41

Sounds good, but who would want to play games like that on a 22" monitor?

You would want to play it on 40" or more, and then you'll need a super computer (OK, most of the people on here do, but thats not who it's aimed at)

Unknownsock 16th July 2009, 13:43

I doubt you'll need a super computer.
The 360's specc aint that great either.

DXR_13KE 16th July 2009, 15:23

It kind of smells like bull fecal matter...

Darkedge 16th July 2009, 16:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by crayfish
"Until now it was thought that the Natal system would require a new Xbox 360 to work, but that appears not to be the case."

LOL wut?

Indeed in the original announcement MS were very clear that it wouldn't - all you'd need was the camera unit that contains specialised chips to process the image, nothing was done on the 360 at all. Shame Joe obviously didn't watch the E3 announcement..

Lepermessiah 16th July 2009, 17:58

natal, all this motion crap = gimmick the wii is an arse system for non gamers. Not really impressed or looking forward to natal or any motion sensing gimmick.

Lepermessiah 16th July 2009, 18:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by I-E-D
Sounds good, but who would want to play games like that on a 22" monitor?

You would want to play it on 40" or more, and then you'll need a super computer (OK, most of the people on here do, but thats not who it's aimed at)

?? Super computer? LOl, a 40" still only runs at 1080P max, Pc's have long since gotten way more powerful the any console on the market and run on higher resolutions, geez.

HourBeforeDawn 16th July 2009, 19:43

sweet if it works as well as they advertise it to then this will be awesome.

Woodspoon 16th July 2009, 19:54

Seems kinda pointless to me, whos going to sit at a desk and use motion capture when keyboard and mouse will be better? and how many PC users actually game on their TV? nice idea but I think this is going to have very very limited use.

Mithyx 20th July 2009, 03:25

Imagine a game that tracked the position of your head and adjusted the view on screen to make it look actually 3D. To hell with GeForce 3D glasses or any of that crap... I want this.

TED.com Wii Remote Hack (halfway through the presentation)

dylAndroid mentioned it, and I can just imagine the crazy things that an FPS or any 3d game could do with this.