THQ Testing Out Natal Tech, Still Waiting On Motion Dev Kits From Sony

by Mike Bendel June 26, 2009 @ 7:26 pm

natalproject
Following an E3 reveal, it has come to light that Microsoft’s full-body motion-sensing technology — codenamed Natal — is in hands at various third-party development studios, including THQ.

Company CEO Brian Farrell says THQ received its dev kits for Natal 4-6 weeks ago. Since then, the company has been dabbling in creating experiences that utilize the tech. At the moment, Farrell feels it caters more towards casual gamers, but without going into specifics, was quick to point out that possibilities on the core side of things are there as well.

We’re obviously looking at both. Our initial take is that it does seem to be more broad, the idea that you’re getting new gamers or lapsed gamers away from very complex controls, but I don’t want to rule out doing something for core because we’ve got some ideas along that line. But I think the emphasis there and I think the positioning from Microsoft — [maybe it’s a] better question for them — but it feels more casual to us at this point

On the subject of Sony’s competing PlayStation Eye powered motion-sensing technology, Farrell said THQ is still waiting on kits for that, but has been in talks with Sony over rollout plans. That gives the impression that Sony’s tech is still in its early, presumably alpha stages. It makes sense, as the tech was not shown behind closed doors at E3, whereas Natal was.

THQ’s Experimenting With Natal, Doesn’t Have Sony Kits Yet, Making A Peripheral Game
[G4]

Follow this author on .