Media Money

Microsoft

MSFT loading...

Quote  |  Chart  |  News  |  Profile

[MSFT  Loading...      ()   ] just announced the technology it hopes will drive the next generation of video game growth.

The XBox 360 will make YOU the controller - no controller will be required. The company is calling this sensor that tracks movements "Project Natal", saying when it goes on sale it'll work with every XBox 360 out there and every future one it'll sell. Now video game makers are starting to work with the technology to develop games. No word yet on exact pricing for the sensor camera.

• CNBC.com SLIDESHOW: TOP VIDEO GAMES OF 2009

Steven Spielberg came on stage to lend his support for the project. He says that this tackles the challenge of making interactive entertainment absolutely accessible to everyone, by making the technology invisible. Spielberg develops video games through a deal at E3, and said that this will be as significant as the transformation of a square movie screen to cinema scope and IMAX. Spielberg says "this isn't about reinventing the wheel, it's about no wheel at all."

A demo at the XBox 360's E3 media conference demonstrated how users will be able to play a range of different types of games without anything but themselves. Drive by holding an imaginary steering wheel. Punch and kick and watch the character on the TV do the same. Scan your skateboard so the computer knows what it looks like for a skateboard game. The camera and system has facial and voice recognition so multiple people can play. You can even use the technology to flip through menus and select TV shows or games on XBox 360.

XBox demoed "Paint Party", a painting game using the new motion capture and voice controls. Call out voice commands to assign color and making hand motions to slash paint onto a canvas on the screen. Say "pose' and the monitor takes a picture of a shape you've made and turns it into a stencil. Pretty awesome.

Questions?  Comments? 

Tools:

PrintEmail

Next Post

Previous PostBack to Main Page

• 

POPULAR MEDIA MONEY POSTS

• 

• Can YouTube Revolutionize Citizen Journalism? 

• 

• Modern Warfare 2's Record-Breaking Launch 

• 

• Fox's Murdoch Lashes Out At Google 

COMMENTS

More Comments

 

« First | « Previous

Next » | Last »

Thank you for joining our discussion. Your comment has been posted.

ADD COMMENTS

Please Sign In or Register to participate.

In order to add a comment you must click here and accept our terms and conditions.

Edit Screen Name

Please sign-in/optin or register to be able to submit comments.

Remaining characters

CNBC welcomes your contribution. Please respect our community and the integrity of its participants. CNBC reserves the right to moderate and approve your comment.

PREVIEW COMMENT

Your comments have not been posted yet.
Please review your submission to make sure you are comfortable with your entry.

Your Comments: