Sunday, July 12, 2009
Project: Shiny New Gimmick [Part 2]
So, Natal.
I don’t think the general public is quite ready for a controller-less system. First off, I find one of the most charming aspects of gaming to be that I can do it while relaxing on the couch with a beer. While things like Wii Fit have their place (in the closet, covered with dust, apparently), I prefer to keep my workout in the gym and my gaming nice and sedentary.
Secondly, while controller-less systems are touted as completely intuitive and natural, I think the casual market finds them the opposite. I had the pleasure of getting together with the HarlotFamily over Easter break to re-enact a Wii commercial: three generations all cozying up to the soulless glow of the big screen to do some virtual bowling. (And, you know, drinking heavily.) I’ve seen a lot of inexperienced gamers interact with regular controllers, and the way my family dealt with the Wiimotes was very similar: apprehensive, clumsy, and kind of confused. Maybe my family is just a little slow, but I think hardware companies might be overestimating the user-friendliness of motion sensing controllers. Multiply that by having to learn voice commands and gestures and interacting with a game system in a completely new way, and I think it could be quite a challenge for casual gamers.
Finally, unless Microsoft is planning on pulling a Nintendo-esque “What’s that, core player fanbase? You want games that don’t involve pretending to be a wedding planner or playing a musical instrument? SHUN!” reversal, I wouldn’t consider the 360 to be the most family-friendly platform. While I adore playing on Live, it is a hive of scum, villainy, and squeaky voiced 13 year old boys calling everyone some witty variation of “homosexual.” Somehow, I can’t see them calling up their friends via Natal and discussing what they’re going to wear to the party tonight. I realize that this whole thing is a push to get casual gamers and all, but I would caution Microsoft to be wary of pushing their former players out.
Despite all my snarkiness, I think it’s going to be a really neat toy. But whether game developers will be able to turn it into something lasting and innovative remains to be seen.