Nintendo, the company who first came on the scene in the seventh generation of consoles with motion tech, said today that it was familiar with Project Natal technology but ultimately turned it down.
According to CVG, one of Nintendo’s executives in its Japan headquarters said that some of the company’s higher-ups were shown a demonstration of the tech at the end of 2007. Nintendo boss, Satoru Iwata was impressed with the firm from Israel 3DV’s motion technology but ultimately rejected it. Apparently Iwata was concerned about the mass marketability of such an expensive technology and wasn’t sure it would work properly, particularly being concerned about lag issues.
“Iwata-San only ever invests in something he can guarantee will work for a Nintendo audience,” the trusted source said.
“3DV showed off a camera that detected motion in 3D, and have voice recognition – but Iwata-San was unconvinced he could sell it at a Nintendo price point. He also had some worries about latency during gameplay.”
Interesting insider information there, so here’s the question: Do you think Microsoft will be successful with Project Natal?
Natal could do well… But I can’t see it selling like crazy. Will I buy it? No. I only see it used in casual games I can’t picture hardcore games using the tech well enough for me to go out and buy it.
I agree.
I remember seeing this technology on the Science channel a couple years back and I believe it was the same company that was showing it to Nintendo and Microsoft they said back then it was pretty laggy and will need a couple years in software and hardware work to get it up to speed and now here it is and it has come full circle. I can’t see hardcore gamers going out in droves and buying it but what I can see is millions of Moms and Dads who will be scouring shelves for it come xmas time for their kids. Many kids will see the tech and immediately want it and considering the install base of the xbox is pretty big in the US I can see it selling decently here not great but decently especially with holiday craziness because what the kids want anymore they get whether they deserve it or not. But good luck MS they are taking a big business risk doing this and I will be waiting to see how well it does