Microsoft may be gathering all the attention for its controller-free motion-sensing gaming, known as Project Natal. But according to a CVG source, Nintendo’s Satoru Iwata apprarently turned it down before it was snagged by Microsoft almost a year later.

The rumor claims that the guys at 3DV Systems – who’ve developed the tech – initially demoed the tech to Nintendo and though Iwata was impressed, he refrained from adopting it because of its price.

“3DV showed off a camera that detected motion in 3D, and had voice recognition – but Iwata-San was unconvinced he could sell it at a Nintendo price point. He also had some worries around latency during gameplay.”

Of course, this is a rumor but the reports that claim Microsoft to remove a chip from Natal to reduce on R&D costs, somewhat echoes Iwata’s concerns.

For the uninitiated, Project Natal introduces a unique way of gaming where it does not include any controller. With motion detection and an integrated camera, the player’s gestures act as controller commands. It is set to launch this year at a price of around $80.

Since the unveiling of Project Natal, Microsoft has been playing coy with its most important details – the price and availability. However, if this new report is to be believed, that has apparently occurred behind closed doors in UK, Natal might be very well coming in November next year.

Some more details were spilled, like there will be around 5 million Natal units up for grabs on launch day, comprising of standalone as well as bundle units, would cost in between $50 to $80 and will have a support of 14 games.

[Via Gizmodo]

Apart from a brief demonstration at the E3 this year, Microsoft has not shared any noteworthy details of Project Natal including its tentative release. Now, in earnings call of THQ, Brian Farell, CEO claims the Project Natal should be out “late next year” so as to benefit from upcoming Christmas season. He also said THQ is developing a game for the Xbox 360 peripheral.

His comment aligns with the early statement from Steve Ballmer, which was later withdrawn and rumors heard from the Taiwanese shores.

[Via OfficialXboxmag]

It looks as if Sony has pulled a similar thing to Microsoft’s Project Natal but with a major difference that the Japanese company’s version uses everyday objects as the controllers. A new patent filed by Sony shows that any three dimensional object in the real world could act as a controller for a PS3 game. The controller works in tandem with Sony’s EyeToy camera that first needs to be registered with the console and can be done by rotating and scanning the object to save it for future use.

This patent actually is an interesting one because it was just a month back when they unveiled their LED equipped Wand controller and also opined that “some experiences need buttons”, which won’t be clearly in this case.

[Via Siliconera]

Ubisoft has announced Your Shape fitness game for Wii that comes with a USB camera, functioning similar to Microsoft’s Project Natal. The attached camera scans user’s body shape and suggests a workout plan that can help burn some fats.

The functionality doesn’t end there. It will also track user’s movements during the workout so the user maintains a correct exercise position as shown on the screen.

Well, of course, the Ubisoft’s version does not have voice recognition and other cool features as Natal but it still gives a hope of innovation that is left on Wii.

[Via Stuff]

Microsoft takes a whole new approach to motion sensing gaming. They have unveiled the Project Natal that uses human body’s movements to register a command instead of a motion sensing controller. The sensor comprises of an RGB camera, depth sensor, microphone, facial recognition and runs proprietary software on a custom processor. Another good thing about it is that it is compatible with all the Xbox 360s that has been sold up till now. Only if Microsoft prices this thing right, it could literally end Wii’s supremacy.

Project Natal