Microsoft has revealed a new gaming technology at a conference in Los Angeles that allows users to control on-screen action with full body movement.
A prototype of the ‘Natal’ project was launched at the E3 conference, showing off software that combines cameras, voice and facial recognition capabilities.
The technology allows users to control the action on a videogame without using a traditional handheld controller. Users can drive cars on-screen by turning their hands, while skateboard, soccer and boxing games are controlled by having users mimic similar movements to real athletes.
“What developers do with Natal will change the way we play videogames,” said chief of Lionhead Studios Peter Molyneux. “This is a landmark in computer entertainment. This is true technology that science fiction has not even written about and this works today.”
No release date has been announced for the technology, though software developers have been given access to kits that can help design games, taking advantage of Natal’s features.
Patrick Stafford is a freelance journalist and a former deputy editor of SmartCompany.
