Epic Games VP says new consoles are a "long way off," Natal is the "next Xbox"
By Donald Melanson 
posted July 24th 2009 1:03PM
posted July 24th 2009 1:03PM
We've heard plenty of talk about ten-year console life cycles for both the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, and it looks like there's some consensus starting to build around the idea that any new consoles really are still a long ways off. Speaking with Eurogamer earlier this week, Epic Games VP Mark Rein cast some doubt on the very need for new consoles anytime soon, pointing out that "over half the users who played Gears of War 2 so far do not have HDTVs," and adding that "there's no way we're ready for the PlayStation 4 or the Xbox Whatever." He did also note, however, that the current consoles would see some major changes, and in the case of the Xbox 360 he says, "it's called Natal. That is the next Xbox." For the curious, Rein also concluded that Natal would win in a fight with Sony's motion controller, but only if it was a kickboxing fight, "because it can see you kicking."
[Via The Digital Home]
[Via The Digital Home]
"over half the users who played Gears of War 2 so far do not have HDTVs,"
Isn't that the same thing Nintendo predicted before launching the Wii? I guess they do have some idea after all.
Motion Controls are good when done correctly. I am impressed by Tiger Woods with Motion+. Wii Waggle ain't that fun. If done in moderation motion can make a game far more immersive. Will that be the case with Natal? It's possible. I really don't see myself pulling of actual round houses when playing SF4 for an hour. Image how tiresome that would be. Developers have had some experience with what works with motion controls. By the time Natal and Sony's stuff rolls around, they will have an even better idea (from time developing on the Wii). I know MS has made a habit of over promising and under delivering (Vista, ME, etc etc etc) but I suspect Natal will be good hardware wise. It's left to developers' imaginations to make it work.
I can't wait to see the statistic of how many people put their foot through their fancy HDTV.
I have 2 xbox 360's on 2 separate HDTV's (46inch,50inch) both have never had GOW2 inside of them
@SkoGoody,@Freedom Town:
I completely agree.
It's so full of lame I don't have the words. There is a silver lining however.
There was, is, and ,until Matrix/Holodeck-like immersion occurs, will never be a better control scheme than a _FREAKING_ keyboard and mouse.
If this is to be the next level for console games, then I will celebrate it as the 2nd/3rd death of console games and welcome the new revitalization of PC games.
"You mean you've got to use your hands? That's like a baby's toy!" Any story with natal as the topic gets me thinking of Back to The Future II.
wow this a very nice game!
wow this a very nice game!
href="http://www.tocgames.com/">Jenny@FreeGames