Sources are reporting that Peter Molyneux’s brain child Milo may have been officially taken to the showers. After introducing the world to Kinect (then Project Natal) at E3 2009, there have been several reports on the state of Lionhead’s relationship simulator, ranging from positive to canned.

The newest word comes from a source close to the studio that claims 19 contractors were let go, and project Milo officially halted. Supposedly, the tech will be used in a Fable themed Kinect game, although no official details were given.

Eurogamer

Related Posts

• Rumor: Project Natal for under $80, next November?
• 
  Project Natal officially renamed “Kinect”
• Rumor: Project H.A.M.M.E.R. cancelled

After hosting a pre-E3 Cirque event for Project Natal Kinect, and discussing the device in their 2010 E3 press briefing, Microsoft left out one major detail about the upcoming motion tracking device. How much is that futuristic thingy gonna cost ya’?

Right now on Micrsoft’s official store, you can preorder the bad boy for $149.99. It is odd that just days after the official reveal of Kinect, Microsoft would skip over any price announcements. That is, unless they think folks started to believe that whole “under $80″ rumor that surfaced late last year.

MicrosoftStore
via GameInformer

Related Posts

• 
  Kinect gets an official price, and console bundle
• 
  Kinect for the 360 coming stateside in November
• 
  Xbox 360 welcomes the launch of Kinect

Since The Tanooki has been pretty much dead to the world in the days leading up to E3, we have news just sitting around waiting to get reported! Among the items, this announcement of the Project Natal name change. What was known as Project Natal will now be called Kinect! Childhood memories aside, what do you think of this new name? Frankly, I didn’t think it could get worse than Natal. Thanks Microsoft! The consensus in the Tanooki reporting center (read: our crammed hotel room) this morning is a resounding round of apathy with a dash of “meh”. As Jason points out, the name makes sense in context, (and I can’t disagree with Pete when he says he couldn’t come up with anything better himself), but it seems curious that they’d go with a name so directly attached to another beloved toy.

Among the new titles we can expect to come out shortly after the launch are a dance themed game from MTV called Dance Central, the return of motion control to racing game Joyride, a virtual cat game known as Kinectimals, Kinect Sports, Kinect Adventures (a river rafting game), a new Star Wars game from LucasArts, and a title featuring Disney characters.

What do you make of the new name?

Kotaku

Related Posts

• Rumor: Project Natal for under $80, next November?
• 
  Project Natal to launch in October
• 
  $40 Mil Project Natal game planned by THQ

Another rumor about Project Natal has emerged out of Europe, this time concerning price. Three different Swedish retailers have listed the motion control device at 1,499 SEK (about $200), leaving the impression this is more than just a place holder price. Compared to the once-rumored $80, an amount I would have had no problem paying, this new Natal price is not so nice. Here’s hoping that extra $120 is just the shipping fee to Sweden.

Kotaku

Related Posts

• Rumor: Project Natal for under $80, next November?
• 
  Project Natal to launch in October
• 
  $40 Mil Project Natal game planned by THQ

It’s been almost one year since Microsoft announced they were taking the dive into motion control. By now you’ve seen the many promotional images featuring Project Natal, and noted its shiny black appearance. So maybe you share my sense of WTF at the image above, which shows a white Project Natal being played by Timo Michael from German cable station RTL. A close up of the device (below) shows that its appearance is remarkably similar to the Natal we’ve been shown, but with a white exterior instead of black. Is this version a prototype, or a hint at the final version? The “hmms” abound.

Kotaku

Related Posts

• Rumor: Project Natal for under $80, next November?
• 
  Project Natal to launch in October
• 
  $40 Mil Project Natal game planned by THQ

On Sunday June 13th, Microsoft isn’t going to officially debut Project Natal to the masses in a boring press conference. They’re throwing a “world premiere” party, with a live performance by Cirque du Soleil.

The event will likely involve a lot of spinning and twirling, and so on and so forth. The performance is likely for those attending to be inspired by body movement, something the various Cirque performances have been known to achieve.

We’ll look forward to bringing you all the latest when we attend this year’s E3. And in the off chance that Natal does come bundled with a nice pair of Cirque spandex, we’ll let you know.

Kotaku

Related Posts

• 
  Microsoft holding Natal event prior to E3 briefing
• 
  Greenberg: Third party struggle on Wii won’t happen with Natal
• 
  Greenberg: People will be “surprised” be Natal experiences

According to Microsoft exec Syed Bilal Tari, marketing manager of the entertainment & devices division at Microsoft Saudi, Project Natal will “definitely” be released in October 2010, adding that they will confirm after (but not at?) E3. In a TV interview with Saudi Arabian network KSA2, Tari said:

“We will be in the position to confirm the date after E3, which is in June, but definitely [Natal] is going to be October 2010.”

Expect to hear more when The Tanooki hits E3! The media summit on Project Natal is on Sunday evening, the first day of the event, and we’ll be sure to get all the details.

IGN

Related Posts

• Rumor: Project Natal for under $80, next November?
• Microsoft denies Natal launch rumors
• 
  Is Project Natal white?

“I think there is a 360 Slim, although I don’t think they will call it ‘Slim’ since the PS3 is called that. I think there is a cheaper version of the Xbox 360 console coming out. I think it will probably have a different graphics card and processor, and if it does exist they will save around $20/30 on each unit.

“They won’t cut the price on this unit. Instead they will bundle it with Natal and perhaps a 250GB HDD for $299, see if they can get 8-10 million units out there and make Natal their future platform… So yeah, I think a Slim SKU is coming out, but no, you won’t be able to buy it cheaper than $299 until at least next year.”

For a SKU bundled with Natal, I wouldn’t mind $299… especially if new hardware potentially means less Red Rings of Death. What do you think?

VG247

Related Posts

• 
  Possible leaked images of the slim model Xbox 360?
• Slim Xbox 360 on the way?
• 
  XBOX 360 price drop coming Tuesday

Gamers abroad gasped at the notion that Microsoft would actually be releasing a hands-free controller this year. Many couldn’t believe the day we all pondered about would finally come. But what Natal promises to offer gamers, it will also present a new way of doing things for even those that just watch TV.

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer spoke to a group of executives about Natal, and what it plans to accomplish when it launches later this year.

You might say, why would I talk to a group of CEOs about videogames? Because the technology actually [has a] very general purpose, and we’ll see come into the rest of our lives pretty soon. It’s a technology that we call Natal. It’s a little camera and microphone that sits on top of your TV set. And if you want to control the TV, you don’t go get some remote control or big fat gaming thing. If you want to look through TV channels, you just gesture, and the computer recognizes your voice, it recognizes your gestures.

You want to see the next sports program, you go like this, it will cycle you through. You want to play a game and you need to jump, you jump. I’m not going to jump too hard; a little bit too high altitude here in Bogota for that, at least for me. But it recognizes you, it knows your voice, who you are, your gestures, what you’re doing

I think Natal’s biggest draw will turn out to be these more general uses, rather than the games themselves. Based on the casual nature of the Wii console, I truly believe menu operations, changing channels and these other more general aspects of a controller free approach are going to be what sells Natal to the masses, and I believe that was half the intention from the earliest days of its creation. Still, I’m hopeful the software will deliver too.

ZDNET
via 1UP

Related Posts

• 
  Sakamoto talks Other M’s purpose, Prime’s interpretation
• The Secret Armory Of General Knoxx now available
• Rumor: Project Natal for under $80, next November?

Oh snap! David Cage, the man who helmed Heavy Rain, says that Microsoft’s debut video for Project Natal at E3 2009 stretched things a little bit in order to present an impressive video.

“I’ve seen Natal, and I’m really curious to see what they’re going to do with it. I was a bit frustrated that they presented it with a sci-fi-type presentation. When the kid comes in with the skateboard and the laser ray, scanning the skateboard, and then it’s in the game… [*rolls eyes*] We are in the industry; we know what’s feasible and what’s not.

“I thought it was a little bit lying to present it that way because it will let [consumers] think that they will [see] something that they are not really close to getting.”

You can re-view last year’s video above and decide for yourself – obviously some parts are just for effect, but I thought it was fairly clear as to what’s realistic, and what was simply a visualization of what can be done.

CVG

Related Posts

• Heavy Rain may use PS3 motion controller
• Microsoft denies Natal launch rumors
• 
  Microsoft holding Natal event prior to E3 briefing

Xbox’s Aaron Greenberg has gone on record to point out that third party Wii developers have had a hard time finding success on the Wii. In the latest issue of Edge, he explains:

“Over 70% of third parties that are selling games today are actively making games for Project Natal. That’s impressive for something so new, that doesn’t even have an installed base yet. A couple of things play into that: People know we’re a software company, we have the best tools and internal support; and second, people who buy Xbox 360 buy a lot of games. Third parties have really thrived on our platform. Look at Wii – while it’s done really well, third parties have struggled, so we’ve left a lot of room for people to believe in the ecosystem, and Natal is a part of that.”

To be fair, a lot of those third parties developing for the Wii were working with relatively new control interfaces when the Wii first launched, experimenting with the motion gestures and trying out ideas. It just so happened that those publishers decided to release those experiments to retail, and the shovelware just snowballed. While Natal is different enough to also be considered a new interface, I’m sure a lot more publishers have figured out what works and what doesn’t in regards to motion control. We should see a higher standard of games with the Natal launch.

CVG

Related Posts

• 
  Greenberg: People will be “surprised” be Natal experiences
• 
  Natal kicks off E3 with Cirque du Soleil party
• Rumor: Project Natal for under $80, next November?

It appears the world’s economic woes have not affected the pockets of developer THQ.  The company says they have a $40 million Project Natal title in the works, but are waiting to see how many gamers become Natal adapters.

THQ’s core games VP Danny Bilson spoke about his ambitions for the new motion technology.

“I have some concepts and some ideas that use Natal in a core game in a really, really cool way,” Bilson said. “I don’t think the experience with the technology is there, I don’t think the install base is there because the game I’m thinking about is a $30m/$40m Natal game and the install base isn’t there yet to support that. The concept I have uses every corner of that tech and maybe in a couple of years we’ll do it.”

Despite his weariness to invest that sort of money in unproven waters, it’s great to know THQ does have a “really cool” project lined up.

CVG

Related Posts

• Rumor: Project Natal for under $80, next November?
• 
  Project Natal to launch in October
• Is Project Natal the next Virtual Boy?

It looks like we’ll have some exciting things to look forward to coming out of THQ at E3 this year. Danny Bilson, the company’s EVP of “Core Games” has stated that one of the games they’ll be announcing from a major developer will include a “certain amount” of melee combat. The game’s magnitude is said to be a crucial part at helping to rebuild Bilson’s department at THQ.

Beyond the fact that a fighting game will be announced in June, Joystiq points out that Bilson had also previously promised that a physically demanding game was being developed for the Wii, PlayStation Move, and Project Natal, and would be revealed at E3. Could this be the same exact game? Or two different, yet intriguing entities? The company’s already known for UFC Undisputed 2010 and WWE titles, though the recruitment of a new and secret developer suggests a new property… or at least one new to THQ. We’ll have to find out at E3 in less than three months!

Joystiq

Related Posts

• 
  $40 Mil Project Natal game planned by THQ
• SEGA puts Sonic in a car; gives other racers a fighting chance
• Tiger Woods to share spotlight on PGA Tour 11 cover

E3 2009 was all about motion control, and got our first glimpses of both Project Natal and what is now known as the PlayStation Move. Both used different types of technologies, so naturally they stirred up curiosity as to which tech would be better. Is a camera-only system for the 360 adequate? What if the Wii was camera-only? What if the Wii used its remote in conjunction with a camera, a la Move?

Dr. Richard Marks, an R&D manager at Sony, has commented on why Sony decided to go ahead with Move as is rather than pursue a more Natal-like system.

“We tried a lot of different 3D cameras. I love the 3D camera technology; personally, I like the technology part of it. We worked closely with our game teams at what it would enable, and it enabled making the things we already did with EyeToy more robust, but it didn’t really enable as many new experiences as what we were hoping it would enable, so it made the things we were already able to do a little bit more robust — which is good — but it adds a lot of cost and it didn’t enable some of the other experiences we wanted to achieve.”

Only time will tell how well each system turns out to be, and the software will be an extremely significant variable in both cases. We’ll all get a chance to try the technologies out at this E3, so you’ll simply just have to wait a little longer.

1UP.com

Related Posts

• 
  Sony launches PlayStation Move, in stores now
• 
  Final packaging pictures released for the Playstation Move
• 
  Sony trademarks possible PlayStation Move tagline

Already treading on unknown territory, Microsoft’s Project Natal has a lot to prove when it first launches. It has a lot to lose, but also a lot to gain. Those skeptical of what Natal can do should be looking forward to the possibilities, according to Aaron Greenberg, Xbox Director of Product Management.

“The potential is tremendous and we have thought out the portfolio years in advance. I think people will be surprised even in the first year by the variety of experiences you’ll get. The beauty of Natal is that it brings you… an experience that everyone can enjoy. Whether it’s gaming experiences or lifestyle experiences, everything we’re doing in the design is about thinking of a way anyone can step in front of it and be able to use it in a matter of seconds.”

When he says they’ve thought everything out years in advance, he isn’t kidding: Greenberg has stated that Microsoft already mapped out a five-year lifespan for Project Natal.

CVG

Related Posts

• 
  Greenberg: Third party struggle on Wii won’t happen with Natal
• 
  $40 Mil Project Natal game planned by THQ
• Rumor: Project Natal for under $80, next November?