Rumour: Updated Xbox With Natal Built-In Planned Comments

What is Project Natal? There are no links to previous articles.....

I'm shocked that people still ask such questions... *points you in the direction of The Internet*
Or here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oACt9R9z37U

I'm sure Microsoft wont miss an opportunity to borrow a trick from Sony - by launching a slimmer/sleaker version of the 360 as it reaches middle-age.

A good way to encourage both new users and upgrades - even without the motion-sensing extras.

Hats off to Microsoft for a good showing all round at E3 this year - continuing the trend of innovation on the 360, which has helped to keep the platform fresh and interesting since launch.

Not going to happen, MS don't work that way.

@bailey's coffee

Really I'm having a lot of fun on my wii lately, if it was not for the odd release the xbox could have been on its way.

Hi Hank,

What is keeping you entertained on the Wii?

Besides very occassional outings on Wii Sports / Wii Fit / Boom Blox when we have visitors, my wife an I rarely use ours?

Whereas, the 360 is used daily for media-centre extending, DVD watching (it's an excellent upscaler / de-interlacer) and of course, the many great games which I enjoy with friends online (another aspect of gaming that MS seem to have pretty much cornered)

In all seriousness, what killer functionality am I missing on my Wii?

Wow, how could you have missed Natal??? Even people that didn't know exactly what it was, saw it in the papers and on the news. Plus there's been a lot of buzz on the internet.

I would hope that MS wouldn't be so stupid as to create a totally new console especially one with higher specs leaving its user base of Xbox360's users furious. What I can see is a Natal/Xbox360 bundle coming out to compete with the Wii. Now that does make commercial sense.

@drdark I was more shocked that there was no Natal coverage on TR.

I can see a new SKU coming out rather than a new console. Bigger hard drive for the new releases that will be available on line. Quieter drive and fans to stop people moaning.

And maybe just to be able to say they have redesigned the mobo to eliminate rrod-esque problems.

That, bundled with Natal would be a very tempting upgrade for lots of 360 owners i suspect.

Ah, Hugo beat me to it, but yes they did have summaries of the big 3's announcements, even if they were missing bits...

As for your Wii, Mr Coffee, that largely depends on what games you like. The Wii is not for DVD watching or online co-op games. It IS for local co-op and experiencing new ways to play. If you really really want a list, then I could provide one, but I don't want to needlessly add to a long post.

Ah go on then, I'll mention one: Mario Kart Wii. That is one game that has good online functionality and is fun to play (fun being the key word, as it's hardly ever fair!)

I'm inclined to belief this has some legs given David Ellis's track record on scoops. He dropped some hints on this very story on the ListenUp podcast prior to E3, hints which now make a lot more sense after the event.

360 is due a half life revamp, I would make it quiet, stick in Blu Ray, wireless N and a 500G internal hard drive and perhaps add a new remote / slide out keyboard thingy. Job done.

If MS are to go with Natal they will release it in it's current form an add on it's not as costly to produce for starters. To integrate the camera in the unit is plain crazy, still wingnuts choose to move the console while the disc is spinning and cry when they get scratches. If you look at the xbox's vents it will tell you exactly how your console should be NOT in an upright position. Add a motion sensing unit to it? only when discs are dead I think.

@baileys

Yes Wii Fit, EA Active, World Of Goo, Grand Slam Tennis, HOTD Overkill, Trauma Centre Series I am having fun, Tiger Woods still to come, plus mario etc. I am getting tired of shooters and the infamous/prototype sort of things not my "games". My only wish was uncharted would come to xbox but no way am I getting a third console for one game.

a ps3 with playtv sounds much more exciting to me.

BTW - just re-read my comments above on the Wii. I'm not intending to knock the Wii, I just haven't quite grasped what all the fuss about - as I have not really taken to the games I've tried (other than in a party kind of setting).

Was not trying to start another "my system is better than yours" flame war - just genuinely interested in what other people are doing with their Wii's to get more value from it.

Would like to get more use out of mine - perhaps MarioKart is the place to start.

@ ravmania
2nd that

@Hugo I used the search field on the site and 'Natal' produced no hits, so i would suggest you improve the search facility.

@baileys

It's cool, I never misinterpreted your view on the Wii, you are quite right, I did have to remove a thick layer of dust. The Wii is there to be knocked, I'm finally getting some good value from it.

More information has bene revealed by Microsoft's bigwig Shane Kim. It will nto be a new console, however it has bene revealed that natal has its own processing power as a separate motion-sensing technology unit. And as I predicted will be relaunched as a package to compete with the Wii in tehhopes of picking up new customers that dont have any console at all or even considered a console.