It’s somewhat ironic that the next evolution of video games in many ways hearkens back to one of its forebears. In the days of multiple SKUs and console versions it’s interesting to think that the system, which brought home gaming to prominence had its own versions. The NES came with three versions: the barebones model had the system, controllers and Mario Bros; the two upgraded versions had Duck Hunt with the zapper and Track and Field Games with the power pad. Both accessories were underutilized, but they were akin to ancient prophets that predicted the coming of a strange future that would appear long after they were gone. For the years that followed, every time a new system was released a few more buttons were tacked on. Many modern games have complex control schemes that can be quite bewildering. If you’re not playing a title every day it can take a few minutes to get back into the groove of seamless button pressing. Many began to gaze upon these button-encrusted devices and wonder how much further it could go before a new system would come with coupons for genetic splicing to add extra digits or entire hands, or perhaps robotic limbs that were controlled by a neural interface. Just a few months ago Microsoft announced "Project Natal" (temporary name) and have already shown off a good bit of what the hardware can do.
So Nintendo decided to take things back to more simplistic systems. Just a few waggles and you’re off. Despite many dismissing the console as simply a gimmick (which many still insist it is), the Wii sold like hotcakes, prompting both Microsoft and Sony to get working on their own motion control offerings. There’s a lot that can be learned from the Wii about how to effectively create a motion-sensing control and a lot of potential for utter, abject failure. One of the biggest issues the Wii has had in terms of hardcore games is sheer marketing, at least when it comes to third-party titles. Reviewers and gamers alike loved No More Heroes but the title failed to perform. Though rail shooters are common on the Wii, Dead Space: Extraction was a cut above the rest, yet once again proved sluggish in sales due to poor marketing. Most hardcore gamers simply cast a derisive glance at the Wii section in their local gaming shop before breezing by to ogle the other games. What does Project Natal need to help Microsoft continue slaughtering Sony in 2010; today I take a look at the hardware and list out a couple points that I think are 100% necessary to the product’s success.
1. If you have a game intended to appeal to hardcore gamers, market it heavily.
A common issue with anything attempting to be truly innovative is that the coverage and interviews that hit the web in the months leading up to its release generate a lot of hope and expectation. The Wii had people excited over the idea of motion controls but at its release it was far less appealing, because everything was just done by jerking the controller around. Fine, precise movements didn’t register. The new add-on from Nintendo, the Wii Motionplus feels much more like what they were originally aiming for, but it might be too late to get the better developers on board.
This feature top 5 list continues on the next page, please click below to reveal our next couple choices for things Project Natal needs to slaughter Sony.
