Controller or No Controller?

~SereneMidnight

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 16:27:56 -0500

I'm one to adapt, so I'll give it a try, but only for casual games. I like using something tangible for games like FPS or RPGs.

~m1w24

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 16:50:54 -0500

I prefer the good old fashioned controller with very lil effort, largely because I'm lazy. But I think Natal might be nice for some casual style games but not for shooters or anything like that. And let's hope that they don't employ Natal for a "Mirror's Edge" style game, one would end up free running or at least attempting to free run in their living room.

~FearF

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 06:09:21 -0500

Some games might become enjoyable with this sort of thing, but not all games will be playable with it. Can you imagine trying to play a game like Gears of War with Natal? It would be so utterly stupid that it wouldn't be usable. My mates would think I've gone off the bend if they saw me crouching behind an imaginary wall and blindfiring my imaginary gun. Even I would think that I'd lost it. Really, for some games, like sports games, it might be useful. On the other hand, I've got a funny feeling that racing games, RPGs and shooters are going to be controller based for a very, very long time.

~Amy

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 20:44:41 -0500

Unless a controller-free environment involves the type of virtual reality where my mind is plugged into the game ala Matrix/Ghost in the Shell, I'd like to stick to something that has buttons.

~Chaser911

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 05:35:02 -0400

Well Of course the world is changing.
But I still chose controller. Natal is cool but I'll destroy my room with it.

~Arbalestraptor

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 15:02:54 -0400

Personally i want virtual reality. No moving, no buttons, no TV, just thought inside a machine. I want to feel like the game is real. But ya, M$ has done nothing but copy Nintendo since the NES OS came out for the 360. But until i get VR i'm quite happy with the controller. ;)

~Seam

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 16:16:09 -0400

barkera0
Controller all the way! Holding a game pad in your hand is what video gaming is all about! Forget all this virtaul relaity-like stuff! Lets go back to a good-ole regular game pad!

yeah i love the old nintendo box controller yay and maybe there might be a headset controller out there (\_/)

~ChaosNataku

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 04:38:55 -0400

Hmmm...probably stated already, but oh well.

I think that there are several factors that need to be considered to make Project Natal successful.

First of all, what kinds of games to make. Obviously no controller is going to have its disadvantages in some genres and advantages in others over having a controller. Racing games might be interesting (IE: Mario Kart Wii was rather successful; and speaking of racing games, might be used as a Driver's Ed sim LOL! 8D). In terms of 3D fighters and fitness mixed together, no controllers would easily win hands down also (Actually I wish that ad wasn't staged, I'd so do that all freaking day, just bead up a 3D avatar). However, I think that no controller would easily lose out to RPG games. Sure, you can walk around or whatever, but seriously, you can't explore a whole world over a certain range.

Second, hardware. We already know the EyeToy was a failure. Even though the PS3 is coming up with a new EyeToy, Project Natal easily blows it out of the water. The problem is whether the 360 will be able to handle that kind of processing? And if it can (if barely at the best), then what kind of lag times and frame rates would be plausible in practical use? Sure, the idea is great, and let's say that based on idea alone, this thing sells out like no tomorrow, much like the 360 itself. But seriously, Microsoft is quite well known to ship out defective hardware regularly (see: 30 GB Zune, 1st gen. X360, etc). Microsoft is seriously going to have to go to town on the hardware requirements and availability, if not have to invent a whole new Xbox just to assimilate these things. XD

Finally--I see Project Natal more of a practical tool rather than video game-related device. Look at the personality sim that was floating around YouTube and my earlier crack at Driver's Ed. If this system were absolutely perfected, you have AI's for psychological studies, practical training, fitness/mild recreation (yoga, Tae-Bo [or whatever that self-defence exercise crap is called]) all in the bag.

I think Project Natal has potential to revolutionize wireless technology, and not just gaming itself. If only applied to video games and entertainment value, then yes, I believe it will fail. If they thought of practical uses to incorporate into a video game-like sim? That would make this thing blow out media to a whole new level.

Now I can't wait for hologram technologies (see: Star Wars/Xenosaga/.Hack/etc.).

~Lunco

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 06:55:13 -0400

Hmm one day no-controller games may really be better... but for now in game motion capture technology is just too dump :P

But one day... why not. Vision of controlling your armies simply by hand gesture is very appealing... same for any fantasy games, you would be able at least use magic only by moving hands, without any controllers... well it have potential, but still long way to go... for now it is just much easier for everyone (both programmers and players) use keyboard+mouse set... and this won't change in next few years.

~Angeruze

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 16:27:32 -0400

I like they're trying to explore new ways to play games.
I specially like the scanning possibility of project natal (it's old I know). To customize things in game with real world textures would be awesome.

But I can't see the controller dying. I'm a slob, I like the fact that mostly, I only have to move my fingers to play games.
Imagine playing FFX's blitzball with Natal! I wouldn't have bought the game

~barkera0

Sat, 10 Oct 2009 22:06:00 -0400

Controller all the way!

Holding a game pad in your hand is what video gaming is all about! Forget all this virtaul relaity-like stuff! Lets go back to a good-ole regular game pad!

~DTek

Sun, 04 Oct 2009 23:44:33 -0400

I really don't know what to think about going controller free. It seems interesting, but I also like having my controller so I think I would have to try it first before I could pass judgment on it.

~MetricZero

Sat, 03 Oct 2009 22:01:34 -0400

Controler.. Unless I can use my mind..

~barkera0

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 21:34:33 -0400

Ugh, I could write an essay on this!

I hate what i'm sure Project Natal will become. It'll end up being the Wii v2.0. Now, don't get me wrong, the Wii is a cool system with some great games and technology. However, it has also become a dumping ground for poorly made part games that turn the motion technology into a stupid gimmick. I can easily see the same thing happening with project Natal.

From a personal stand point, I'd rather hold a game pad in my hands any day than all that motion sensing rubbish.

~Reibooi

Sat, 19 Sep 2009 18:08:35 -0400

Here is the thing about project Natal. Sony already did it years ago.

The PS2 eye toy was the same exact thing and it didn't catch on. Sure Natal is slightly more advanced but that's to be expected in this day and age. But what I'm saying is Sony tested these waters and didn't get much of a response.

What project Natal is is Microsoft realizing that the 360 does not have horse power to compete with the PS3 in the long term so they are releasing Natal to make 360 into a pseudo Wii and try to appeal to that market. However I highly doubt it is going to work if you ask me. All the stuff they showed for Natal was crap and the cool ideas they talked about where only shown in video form and will most likely never see the light of day just like alot of the things MS promised when this generation began.

~carlhenry

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 00:33:24 -0400

Wii's innovation is good but controllers become obsolete? i highly doubt that. well, if we'd have something like ala-.hack then yeah, maybe controllers will be obsolete.