Post-E3 2009: The Benefits of Natal
Five ways Natal can improve the games you're currently playing.
June 8, 2009 - Microsoft's demo of Natal was one of the most talked about moments from E3 2009. The first question was: Does it work? Yes, it does indeed work. Microsoft's demonstration of Natal focused on games created specifically for the new motion-sensor camera. But what has us excited for Natal are the ways it can enhance games that use the normal controller. Natal can recognize facial expressions and even subtle hand movements.
With that in mind, we have five games already available in stores that could be enhanced by Natal. Obviously, these games can't actually use Natal currently, but this is just an example of how the new motion camera can be used to enhance games without turning them into gimmicks.
Mass Effect
Let's start big. Natal has facial recognition features that can determine if you're smiling or frowning, if you appear angry or sad or disinterested. Mass Effect has an awesome dialogue system where players choose the emotional response of Commander Shepard. Each choice leads to a different reply from Shepard. The idea is to have gamers worry less about the precise wording they're choosing and focus more on the Shepard's intent. Natal can help us take this one step further.
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Molyneux shows off the facial recognition technology in Project Milo.
Using its facial recognition technology, Natal could remove the need to manually input Shepard's reactions. Instead, Natal reads your face as you watch a cutscene. Nod slightly and Shepard is in agreement. Laugh and Shepard takes whatever is being said lightly. Look agitated and Shepard offers a more aggressive response. You want to play a role? Now you can as Shepard makes choices based on your own reactions to the events of Mass Effect.
Burnout Paradise
Most racing games have a way to look to the left or right when in the cockpit view. The problem is that the control input is usually relegated to an inconvenient button. This isn't an issue with Natal. You want to see to your left in Burnout or any racing game? Just turn your head slightly to the left. The view pans. Voila. Now you know if someone is creeping up on you.
Rainbow Six: Vegas 2
Success in Rainbow Six: Vegas 2 is partly dependant on directing your AI squadmates. With Natal, these actions can be handled with your hand. The issue, of course, is that you need to take a hand off the controller to do the signals for your units. Fortunately, these commands are usually during prep for an infiltration and not actually during a conflict. While not the ideal use of Natal, it makes for an interesting implementation of the motion camera.
Rock Band 2
Do you want to rock out with your *cough* out? Well, Rock Band 2's T rating may prevent that, but Natal can offer the next best thing. Since the camera can detect your motions, it's possible that a music game could allow a mirrored representation on screen. In other words, when you make devil horns, your character makes devil horns. If you twirl your drumstick, so does your virtual doppelganger. Bang your head or do a scissor kick as the singer and, well, you get the idea.
Fallout 3
Looking for just a little more immersion in the world of Fallout 3? An easy way to pull this off is to take the most common command off the controller. Think of the number of times you had to look at your Pip Boy. In the IGN world of Natal controls, you just need to raise your left arm a bit, like you're looking at your watch. And in real time, the Pip Boy is raised. There are also opportunities to use Natal to engage VATS, navigate the map or cycle through conversation options with your hands as opposed to the controller.
Those are just a few ways Natal could be used to change the way we game. Don't think of Natal as something that must be used for gimmicky games like kickball or an exercise program. Natal could eventually become the ultimate enhancer for Xbox 360 titles.
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