Rumor: Xbox Natal is Actually Microsoft's Next Console

[NayusDante]

Proper pacing is definitely important for everything else, but I think that games can be an exception. When you're not required to sit for a definite length of time, the game could add more story to a section to encourage you to play that section through in fewer sittings. There's no time limit on Metal Gear, you could watch one cut-scene and be done for the evening. Non-story games, however, benefit greatly from proper pacing, Super Metroid for example. No matter how much time I sit down for, I make constant progress in Super Metroid, and it's never bogged down by story. Metroid Fusion, in comparison, delivers a thin narrative, but still succeeds as a good portable game, with the same pacing. However, neither deliver a hard-hitting story.

Your Chrono Cross argument, however, definitely makes sense. I played the game one week when I was out sick, and I didn't take many breaks except to sleep. That story buildup at the end was very memorable for me, but probably because I was completely absorbed for days. Playing through it for a few hours a night, I could see it being a bit absurd. However, more weight in a section of a game can be a good thing, because otherwise, the entire game is monotone. Metal Gear Solid 2 made some very poignant statements toward the end, which wouldn't have been as meaningful if they were thrown out during the slow parts.

Please don't think that I'm trying to argue or flame here, I'm just providing my own counterpoints to the discussion. I'll admit that I tend to look for more story value in games, and I usually tolerate the shortcomings if the story is good.

[kedawa]

Pressing a button every now and then to advance the non-interactive story is not gaming.
It's just a shitty way to watch a movie.

[Rob2600]

That's because for 1, 3, and 4, the story was in the manual. You don't want to go back to THAT now, do you? Unless you read the manuals, you wouldn't know about Wily and Light working together or what's up with Dr. Cossack.

Does a video game like Mega Man even need a story? In the late 1980s, my friends and I put the cartridge in, turned it on, and played it. We were the good guy and had to defeat the bad guy.

Likewise with The Legend of Zelda and Metroid. The instruction manuals had pages of story. Did my friends and I read them? No. Again, we were the good guy and had to figure out how to defeat the bad guy. Perfect.

Super Mario 64 - a quick explanation in the very beginning and that was it. Perfect.


Anyway, nobody cared about having a story until Ninja Gaiden was released on the NES. Ever since then, many developers (and many gamers) have been obsessed with cinema scenes.

[scooterb23]

Ninja Gaiden had a story?

Cutscenes are the bane of my existence. I have almost zero interest in storylines for games. Just let me run, and shoot, and die and have fun.

[TonyTheTiger]

I think it really depends on what the game's going for. All games have identities. Plots are not a bane on video games but they aren't necessary either.

[j_factor]

I don't mind cutscenes, but I appreciate it when the gameplay and narrative are more integrated. Out of this World was the king of cutscenes in its day, but it didn't feel like I was playing a game, then watching a video clip, then playing, then watching. It melded together nicely and felt like one cohesive experience.

[parallaxscroll]

http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/996/996216p1.html



Steve Ballmer Confirms 'New' Xbox 360 For 2010
Ballmer confirms new SKU, with possibly new hardware, coming next year.
by Jim Reilly

June 18, 2009 - Perhaps all those crazy rumors we've heard over the past week were true.

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer reportedly spoke at The Executive's Club of Chicago about "the role of innovation in changing economic times" this afternoon. And according to TGdaily, he announced the company's plan to release a new Xbox 360 next year.

The system will be "'really, really, close' to an actuality" and was described as having a "natural interface." There will also be a "built in" camera, which is believed to be the Natal device Microsoft revealed at the latest E3

It's still unclear at the moment whether or not this will simply be a current Xbox 360 with a the Natal camera packed in, or an upgraded console with newer hardware. However, Microsoft did confirm to IGN this afternoon that newer manufactured Xbox 360 Arcade units are getting an upgrade in internal memory to 512MB.

We contacted Microsoft for clarification on this and we'll update you as soon as we hear anything.


This does NOT mean it'll be an UPGRADED Xbox 360 with higher specifications.
Yet, doesn't rule it out, either.

Man, Microsoft is being coy...

[NayusDante]

This does NOT mean it'll be an UPGRADED Xbox 360 with higher specifications.
Yet, doesn't rule it out, either.

Man, Microsoft is being coy...

Well, read this:


...to release a new Xbox 360 next year...

This doesn't mean a new platform, it's still going to be our red-ring adorned friend. At the most, it will be to the current 360 what the DSi is to the DS. It's just going to be a new bundle that includes the camera. You can't build the camera in to the system, it has to be a peripheral. People put consoles on shelves and placed without a clear view of the couch. Also, upping the specs would be nice, but devs can't rely on that extra performance without alienating the massive install-base of "slow 360" owners. The option with the most commercial possibility is simply a new bundle, bringing us to four: Arcade, Pro, Elite, Natal.

I'm surprised nobody has made jokes about the name. Quoth Wikipedia:

Natal as an adjective refers to birth.

What in the world does that have to do with motion control?

[Letiumtide]

At the most, it will be to the current 360 what the DSi is to the DS.

Not quite, that would mean that there was a definite hardware update with RAM and the likes. They've rather clearly stated that it will be the same Xbox 360, no updated hardware. I imagine that would cause some pretty bitter feelings if they did, myself included.

[j_factor]

It doesn't really say that. "A new Xbox 360" could mean anything; I don't think you can parse the exact nature of the product from the one phrase. Also, "a new Xbox 360" was written by the author of the article -- he wasn't quoting anybody.

[Therealqtip]

Goodbye in-depth video games, hello quick money grubbing ala shovelware motion sensing horsecrap.

I blame Wii

[The 1 2 P]

The rumor is over. No new console next year, just the release of the Natal/360 bundle (http://www.industrygamers.com/news/microsoft-were-barely-halfway-through-this-generation-denies-new-hardware/).

[NayusDante]

We're Barely Halfway Through this Generation

...so they're pulling an XP. Leave your product in the market so long that nobody wants to upgrade, because they're so familiar with what they have. Five-year dev cycles for consoles is a good thing, given the speed that computer hardware is evolving. If we don't get a new Microsoft console until 2013, then I don't think it's going to be a very fruitful four years ahead for Redmond.

[Sonicwolf]

...so they're pulling an XP. Leave your product in the market so long that nobody wants to upgrade, because they're so familiar with what they have. Five-year dev cycles for consoles is a good thing, given the speed that computer hardware is evolving. If we don't get a new Microsoft console until 2013, then I don't think it's going to be a very fruitful four years ahead for Redmond.

Barely half way my butt. The XBOX 360 is pushing 4 years old already and the original XBOX was superceded at 4 years. The gamecube lasted 5 and the Wii is turning 3. The PS2... Isnt dead yet. etc etc.

This Generation is probably going to sunset around 2011.

[kedawa]

Not quite, that would mean that there was a definite hardware update with RAM and the likes. They've rather clearly stated that it will be the same Xbox 360, no updated hardware. I imagine that would cause some pretty bitter feelings if they did, myself included.
The DSi also has upgraded ram over the DS. Besides, maybe the 512mb quoted is simply referring to the onboard flashram getting upgraded.