Microsoft makes the Wii competition.

Microsoft has in the E3 video game trade show in California, the trade with a technical innovation perplexed. A new input device for the Xbox 360 game should not only can recognize gestures, but also to facial expressions and voice of the players react.

 

Peter Molyneux is a legend - but one with a reputation for being occasionally mannen of enthusiasm about it. His game projects, such as "Black & White", "Fable" or "The Movies" teem always good ideas, but sometimes can not quite believe what their creator promises - and often much later than originally announced. Whether this is an omen for this is what Molyneux, on behalf of Microsoft at the E3 video game trade show in Los Angeles demonstrates?

AFP
Microsoft's "Project Natal" games only with movements controlled

How Microsoft plans because, in fact, would be a revolution, not just for games, but for entirely different applications. The "Project Natal" baptized input, not only should recognize the player movements - movements of the whole body, not just one herumgeschwenkten controller - but also facial expressions and voice capture and process.

In a video demonstration Molyneux is a young woman named Claire, which with a little boy named Milo speaks and plays. Milo, it is embarrassing, as Claire him about his homework asks Claire appals hand movements with a few fish in the pond. But Claire is facing the screen, Milo looks out - he is an impressive computer animated creature that reacts to what Claire says and does.

Works well on old consoles

Cameras, microphones and a depth sensor, according to Microsoft it should be also possible, such as sports games such as car racing, boxing or football, the figures standing in front of the screen with natural movements to control. That would be a bit like Nintendo's highly successful Wii console - only that there still a motion controller in the hand in order to control the game. Also about what Sony's console with a camera "EyeToy" is possible, even the movements in front of the screen can see, the possibilities seem far to go out of Natal.

GAME CONSOLES: THE LATEST GENERATION

Wii

obs / Nintendo of Europe

The small competitor is in contrast to the rival consoles, not high-resolution graphics, but delivers traditional television resolution. Nevertheless, the device is so popular that the manufacturer has not announced prices. In the United States overtook the Wii in July 2008 Microsoft's Xbox 360, what the sales figures are concerned. The console features a motion controller and bewegungssensitiven-oriented accessories, such as the "Balance Board" from. With simple sports and fun games, it has for the industry, captured new audiences. A detailed test Wii can be found here.

Playstation 3

DDP

The direct competitor to Microsoft's Xbox 360 - the two consoles to compete with the hardcore gamers who are also prepared for high-resolution graphics to a TV buy. In March 2007, the console on the market in Europe. In July 2008, there were either 40 or 60 GB hard drive - will also soon have a version with 80 GB on the market. It is the most expensive among the current models and gives a high-resolution video via an HDMI-out output. As the only game currently available, it contains a Blu-ray drive, which is also high-resolution Blu-ray discs can play. A detailed
Test of the PS3 can be found here.

Xbox 360

Microsoft's high-definition console is of the three longest current competitors on the market, namely since the end of 2005. Microsoft has repeatedly screwed on price and features. The 360 has a normal DVD drive in its basic version, but no hard drive. In July 2008, there were a model without a hard drive, a 20 gigabyte model and the black "elite" with 120 GB hard drive. The current models of HD images on an HDMI-out output. A comprehensive test on the Xbox 360 can be found here.

Sony PSP

The Playstation Portable, on the market since 2005, is Sony's first attempt, which traditionally used by Nintendo (Game Boy) dominated the market for mobile games a bit abzuzwacken. Since 2007, there is a slightly thinner version, called Slim and Lite. The mobile console games can not only present but also movies and music. Moreover, it can be via W-LAN to the Internet. Movie downloads and other content may differ from the PS3 to the PSP will be delayed, may also mobile console to the Internet as a kind of remote for the PS3 to be used. The PSP is on the market for mobile games second rear Nintendo DS. A detailed
Test of the PSP can be found here.

Nintendo DS

The Nintendo DS is since 2005 in a first version on the market since 2006 in an edition called slimmer DS Lite (pictured). DS stands for "dual screen". The console has a normal and in the bottom half of a touch-screen. Games will be on buttons or a stylus, the touchscreen with the edited, played. The DS is the PSP over Wi-Fi to connect to the internet, including online games and gimmicks such as pictures chat are possible. With games like "Nintendogs" and "Dr. Kawashimas brain-jogging" tapped the DS new target for mobile consoles. The DS is currently the best selling mobile game. A test report on the first version of the Nintendo DS can be found here.

"Natal" is the basis of faces and voices even recognize who is currently playing. The catch: When the new system on the market, remained unclear. Microsoft, however, now provides the necessary software for developers to make games for the new technology to be developed. The system should be on all models of the Xbox 360 work.

Zune is coming - a bit, Xbox 360 will be social

In addition to the spectacular "project Natal", Microsoft has announced that it will be the Xbox 360 make social. Users of the online service Xbox Live starting in autumn 2009 the Twitter status of friends and retrieve directly from the console new articles in their own account can post.

The access to Facebook profiles will also be possible, in addition to manufacturer some updates are carried out, including the provision of photographs. In addition, Xbox Live users about their music listening consoles, which allows the new partnership with the Netzradio portal Last.fm "(which also cooperates with blogs ONLINE).

And the Xbox Live video market Microsoft wants to expand. From autumn will offer Zune video internationally in the online video of the Xbox 360 system. Moreover, according to the manufacturer, then movies are in full 1080p HD resolution and 5.1-channel surround sound ready. This leads Microsoft's Zune brand into the European market, before the Zune media player this country ever is available.