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Microsoft's Project Natal roots revealed: 3DV Systems ZCam
We had a hunch that 3DV Systems' technology -- which we actually toyed with back at CES 2008 -- had something to do with Microsoft's newly unveiled Project Natal motion tracking solution, and today details have trickled in to us confirming as much. As the story goes, 3DV Systems was initially hoping to have the ZCam in the manufacturing process by the tail end of 2008, but Microsoft swooped in and acquired the outfit just weeks after it blew minds in January. At the time, not much thought was given to the pickup; now, however, we're treated to a bona fide ZCam brochure which details the actual specifications behind the Xbox 360's newest friend. Granted, we have every reason to believe that Natal has advanced significantly from what you'll see in the gallery below, but it's still a tasty nugget of behind-the-scenes information. Of note, the former 3DV Systems VP of Business Development was quoted as saying that the target retail price of the ZCam was $100, though it still had aways to go as of early 2008.
Project Natal video hands-on, impressions, and further details
We had a chance to go one-on-one with Project Natal -- as well as its steward, Kudo Tsunoda -- and we wanted to give you a little insight on Microsoft's next big play. Plus, how could we pass up an opportunity to show off a video of us essentially flailing around like teenagers on a coffee high? The first thing to note is that Microsoft is very protective of the actual technology right now, so they weren't letting us film or photograph any of the box itself, though what they had was an extremely rough version of what the device will look like (not at all like the press shot above). It consisted of a small, black box aimed out into the room -- about the size of a Roku Player -- with sensors along the front. It almost looked a bit like a mid-size (between pico and full size) projector.
Microsoft's Project Natal demo video has us jumping with anticipation
We're itching to get our own, uh, body time with Microsoft's Project Natal real time motion-capture accessory for the Xbox 360, but until that happens we're eagerly soaking up every last bit of footage we can -- like this teaser video shown during this morning's keynote. Lots of little tidbits here, like voice and face recognition, custom texture scanning and mapping, video chatting, and all sorts of use-your-whole-body gameplay applications. Of course, we don't know how much of this is real and how much is TV magic, but it certainly seems like Natal's got tons of potential -- check the video after the break. [Via Joystiq]
Project Natal video features smack talking, scruffy teenagers
digg_url = 'http://digg.com/xbox/Microsoft_s_Project_Natal_Could_Revolutionize_the_Xbox_360'; One of the biggest announcements at Microsoft's E3 keynote was Project Natal, an ambitious project using camera tech developed by 3DV. The keynote promo video shows off many planned uses for the new peripheral, running the gamut from something as simple as beating up an old, feeble man, to complex voice recognition and scanning features. It's ambitious, to say the least, and only time will tell if the company can pull it off.
Overheard@E3: Kudos to Kudo's Wii burn
No doubt a little flustered by the woman wildly flailing about at the other end of the stage, Kudo Tsunoda slipped in a comment that, according to wicked modern parlance, could easily be classified as a "sick burn." The recipient? The Nintendo Wii, which will soon find itself competing against Microsoft's just-announced motion control system, "Project Natal."Said Kudo: "This isn't the kind of game where you just end up on the sofa using some kind of preset waggle commands." Pheeeeeew.
Microsoft announces "Project Natal" motion controller for Xbox 360!
Yes, it's real. Now you'll be able to change a tire... virtually. At E3 today, Microsoft finally took the wraps off the that rumored motion controller we'd been hearing about. Apparently the small, black device -- codenamed "Natal" -- will allow for an astoundingly wide range of actions by utilizing a group of sensors (the box itself sits beneath your TV), and the accessory will be capable of juggling multiple users during a single session. The demo Microsoft showed off included a skateboarding game (replete with a young man "air" ollie-ing), and a family playing a racing game (the dad was changing a tire, the daughter driving). The add-on will offer features such as auto sign-in for players to Xbox Live (based on complex facial recognition), and sports extremely detailed body tracking which will be able to follow the individual movements of separate limbs. During the press event, the company demoed a painting app, which lets you use your entire body to handle virtual painting supplies, allowing you to do things like throw buckets of paint onto a canvas. Another title was shown off which featured a woman interacting with a young boy on the screen -- one of the company's creepier demos in recent memory. Unfortunately for us, Microsoft says the device won't be released during 2009. We're working on snagging some face time (literally!) with a demo unit, so stay tuned... E3 is off to a wild start! Update: Video added after the break!
