Project Natal spotted in the wild, user manual and all?

My, how you've grown. Since the day we learned that PrimeSense was behind Microsoft's Project Natal, we've been under the impression that the 3D camera hardware would be a cute little face with three eyes. So why are we staring at another hammerhead shark? Perhaps because this latest leak isn't real -- or perhaps because Microsoft hasn't nailed down (or rightly doesn't trust testers with) the final hardware. Either way, Multiplayer.it has a host of pictures of an alleged Natal test kit, complete with user manual, and if their sources are legit, it seems Natal will have a motorized tilt function and require additional power (via wall wart) as a result. The better to track your body with, we suppose. See more pics at our source link.

[Thanks, Skipper]

[El Jefe Posted Apr 20th 2010 3:00PM]

ghey

[jstevens Posted Apr 20th 2010 3:06PM]

@El Jefe
no one asked for your sexual orientation.

motorized tilt sounds pretty cool to me. should give a broader area of tracking

[The Madman Posted Apr 20th 2010 3:23PM]

@jstevens I don't understand why they can't use two static wide-area cameras and combine the image, without needing to tilt them around.

[googkiller Posted Apr 20th 2010 3:30PM]

@El Jefe
"hardware would be a cute little face with three eyes. So why are we staring at another hammerhead shark? "

uh the prototype looks exactly like this one except this one looks more fit and finished for production

[TheLukeSkywalker Posted Apr 20th 2010 3:39PM]

@googkiller : I'm pretty sure Apple purposefully leaked that 4th gen iPhone and is playing off script with half-help of an unwitting Gizmodo. [that lost the phone in a bar thing, and how Jason at Giz keeps saying to go easy on the kid, anyone would lose it etcetera, is probably all ploy]. Microsoft: You can try to steal the leaked spotlight, but 4th gen iPhone is too exciting. Either way, I'm syked for Natal, it's one of my greater dreams in gaming, and if it doesn't do lightsabers and starwars right, hopefully Playstation Move will. As soon as I see who as the best lightsaber solution, I'm moving from this Wii.

[bigjkcfan Posted Apr 20th 2010 4:17PM]

@El Jefe I'm calling fake, click on the link and look at the pictures of the manual... its calls it Project Natal right in the supposed manual, highly unlikely they will call it Project Natal.... Natal maybe, but def not Project Natal

[jstevens Posted Apr 20th 2010 5:36PM]

@The Madman
I don't know, that does sound more expensive. Having a motorized base just seems simpler and more functional to me.

[CollinstheClown Posted Apr 20th 2010 5:37PM]

@bigjkcfan

Considering it says "Project Natal" (note the quotes), and it's a Natal TEST kit...

You really think they are gonna give testers a retail manual?

[mellisauiyler Posted Apr 20th 2010 6:17PM]

@jstevens It has always been our dream to use our console without any controller, perhaps this innovation is a part of it. Opinions- http://bit.ly/natal-revolution-view

[Nicnac Posted Apr 20th 2010 3:03PM]

Motorized tilt? A moving part to break. Well done, Microsoft.

[nickcraze Posted Apr 20th 2010 3:23PM]

@Nicnac
What are you? a fucking caveman?

[BigJayDogg3 Posted Apr 20th 2010 3:48PM]

@Nicnac

I guess that means all the things with moving parts need to be chastised. Computer monitor mounts, fans, cellphones with slides, laptops, doors...

[Gordonator Posted Apr 20th 2010 7:23PM]

@Nicnac

God forbid anyone ever tries to travel in something with moving parts... *shudder*

[littleninjaman Posted May 11th 2010 6:55AM]

@BigJayDogg3 Noooooo..... my keyboard what i use all the time pushing the buttons is going to die. Maybe 15 years later on

[Neosubu Posted Apr 20th 2010 3:04PM]

I dunno about this.. I hope this isnt the absolute future actually.
Whatever happened to laying in the couch chilling while playing a videogame?

[googkiller Posted Apr 20th 2010 3:32PM]

@Neosubu

this is minority report in real life now.

[nabberuk Posted Apr 20th 2010 3:47PM]

@Neosubu

i don't understand your comment... are you somehow under the impression that all normal controllers for the 360 will implode and you won't ever be able to buy one again?

Natal isn't going to replace the controller, it's just another input option, just like a joystick, racing wheel, guitar, drums etc.

[cool8man Posted Apr 20th 2010 5:00PM]

@Neosubu

Hey now with Natal's voice recognition you don't even have to rummage through the couch cushions to find the controller or remote. Turn on the console and start a game or movie with just your voice alone? Natal is the ultimate device for the lazy Xbox 360 owner.

[RyanTV Posted Apr 21st 2010 2:43AM]

@Neosubu totally agree with you. Back when I had time for video games, the whole point was to sit back, have a drink, and zone out for an hour or two. If i want to exercise, I'll go to the rec center or out for a run. I think MS is dumping a bunch of resources and manpower into a project that is nothing more than a gimmick to attempt to compete with the Wii. You know that other system that EVERYONE and their mother has but no one ever uses.

[conker Posted Apr 21st 2010 6:01AM]

@RyanTV I disagree... Wii control system is great, try to point and shoot with the Wiimote comparing to the "analog stick"

problems with Wii... old gen graphics and lack of certain types of games (control system is great for 1st person shooter... but you won't find so many 1st person shooter to play)

[IcerC Posted Apr 20th 2010 3:05PM]

you had me at articulating robotic eye with interests in my body.

[dez Posted Apr 20th 2010 4:03PM]

@IcerC

So you just go from article to article pointing out mild sexual references or somesuch?

[Gordonator Posted Apr 20th 2010 7:24PM]

@dez

I, for one, can see no problem therein.

[scl23enN4m3 Posted Apr 20th 2010 3:06PM]

I just need it small enough to mod into the bezel of an LCD..

[comix Posted Apr 20th 2010 3:24PM]

@scl23enN4m3 Try this one http://www.ultimateavmag.com/images/archivesart/1008lg47lg60.1.jpg

Yes that is a hole!

[fontendet Posted Apr 20th 2010 3:06PM]

So?
Also someone forget this thing in the bar???

[kingofwale Posted Apr 20th 2010 3:06PM]

okay, I get it when you lose your prototype phone.

but how DRUNK do you have to be to take this into the wild?

;)

[StewieGriffin Posted Apr 20th 2010 3:07PM]

Does the user manual say you have to wear sunglasses to use the Natal...something about miscalculating the number of balls in front of the camera.

[techlord Posted Apr 20th 2010 3:09PM]

Fake unless it show video of playing game on it.

[R3DB71ND Posted Apr 20th 2010 3:58PM]

@techlord

It most likely fake and It's obviously not final release. It says "project natal" on the manual. Everyone knows that's not going to be the name of the retail product.

[trainwrecka Posted Apr 20th 2010 3:10PM]

2010: YEAR OF THE LEAKS

[eagrimm Posted Apr 20th 2010 3:17PM]

@trainwrecka
2010 the year that some actual new stuff came out.

[One Love Posted Apr 20th 2010 3:10PM]

My spoon is too big!

[Weids Posted Apr 20th 2010 3:11PM]

I want natal so badly...

[Cynical Hippie Posted Apr 20th 2010 3:11PM]

Yet another leak.

Atleast its not taken by Mr. BlurryCam

[Benjulious Posted Apr 20th 2010 3:20PM]

Um, did no one notice that they are SELLING project natal?

http://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?hl=it&sl=it&tl=en&u=http://multiplayer.com/videogiochi/xbox-360/xbox-360-microsoft-project-natal.html&rurl=translate.google.it&usg=ALkJrhgUcfQAE-TqyOyqDNqnY_85a5mLUA

Fake!!

[iamtew Posted Apr 21st 2010 3:09AM]

@Benjulious
Um, did you not notice it says "Available from 17/12/2010." ?? :-)

[brokensticks Posted Apr 20th 2010 3:21PM]

wow... Leaks galore... I'm lovin it!

The leaks that is...

[Evi1d33d Posted Apr 20th 2010 3:22PM]

How much is Engadget paying for this prototype?

[brokensticks Posted Apr 20th 2010 3:23PM]

According to this:

http://translate.google.it/translate?hl=it&sl=it&tl=en&u=http://multiplayer.it/notizie/76540-project-natal-le-prime-foto-di-natal-in-esclusiva-mondiale-su-mit.html

This thing will need its own power supply... that's kind of weird...

[brokensticks Posted Apr 20th 2010 3:24PM]

@brokensticks never mind... I see what that's for now...

[Dr Blight Posted Apr 20th 2010 3:26PM]

Oh, so it's the 2010 version of R.O.B.?

[Bratan Posted Apr 20th 2010 3:29PM]

Another tech "leaked"? :) At least this wasn't "accidentally" left in the cafe :)

[iHakr Posted Apr 20th 2010 3:36PM]

I think Microsoft was just jealous of Apple's leaked iPhone, so they may have put a few Natals in the wild.

[FNi Posted Apr 20th 2010 3:41PM]

Dear Microsoft,

Shiny plastic looks dirty and dated real fast.

Yours,
T'Internet.

[BigJayDogg3 Posted Apr 20th 2010 3:53PM]

@FNi

I don't mind this. It matches my TV.

And it isn't like you have to touch the thing. You set it up and leave it alone.

Also, my Wiimote is in good shape after these years. I got mine in December of launch year (2007?).

[Sam of the Sun Posted Apr 20th 2010 4:09PM]

@FNi

iPhone much?

[iName Posted Apr 20th 2010 3:50PM]

the speech recognition sounds really cool.

does move have that?

[cool8man Posted Apr 20th 2010 4:55PM]

@iName

Am I crazy that the fact that you can turn on the console or jump to Netflix with just your voice alone makes me want this thing on day one? :-D


HAL is becoming a reality. :-o

Daisy, Daisy, give me your answer, do,
I'm half crazy all for the love of you....

[jagowar Posted Apr 20th 2010 3:59PM]

The tilt is an interesting development..... also good to see there will be voice commands to do all sorts of things. Navigating the dashboard could be very cool using voice vs digging through menus.