News: More than a dozen companies in all have pledged to support Microsoft's motion sensor.
While we're no closer to learning the release date of Project Natal, Microsoft's controllerless control method for the Xbox 360, we do have a rather large list of developers and publishers that are working on games that will use the peripheral.
According to Microsoft, Natal development kits were developed a few days after the project's E3 unveiling and more than a dozen companies have pledged development resources behind titles that will make use of the motion sensor. Microsoft was particularly proud to announce that the following dozen developers are hard at work on Natal-based games right now:
Activision Blizzard
Bethesda Softworks
Capcom
Disney Interactive
Electronic Arts
Konami
MTV Games
Namco Bandai
Sega
Square Enix
THQ
Ubisoft
While no titles with Natal-specific features were announced, that list does provide a few intersting thought experiments about how the technology might be used. Tony Hawk with Natal. Metal Gear Solid with Natal. Rock Band with Natal. Final Fantasy with Natal. At this point, the possibilities are endless.
However, the reality is that Microsoft has corralled a trio of elite developers to discuss Natal and how it could change video games forever at this year's Tokyo Game Show. This panel will include Capcom's Keiji Inafune (creator of Mega Man and Dead Rising), Sega's Toshihiro Nagoshi (creator of Super Monkey Ball) and Konami's Hideo Kojima, (the man behind Metal Gear).
УMicrosoft СProject Natal' could fundamentally change the way players experience sports games,Ф said EA Sports President Peter Moore. УAt EA, some of our top development teams are experimenting with these tools with the goal of delivering a completely fresh take on genres like sports and racing.Ф
We'll have more soon.