Apple’s WWDC isn't the only June event stirring up comments in the wonderful world of technology. The gamers in the room know exactly what I'm talking about: The Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3).
Now while I'm not about to turn this into "The Parallels Gaming Review Blog," I urgently need to point out a particularly exciting demonstration that took place during E3, and that would be Microsoft's Project Natal. The project, if successful, could easily have long reaching effects on the technology world in general. Once you learn about it, I think you'll see why.
The project revolves around an add-on peripheral for the Xbox 360, a motion & audio sensor, which basically substitutes any need for a controller with hand and body gestures as well as speech. There have been camera and motion-based themes before in gaming, but nothing on this level, and putting this device to work is Lionhead Studios' Milo (Project Dmitri).
Milo seems to be 30% video game, 30% virtual pet and 30% science experiment. He moves, talks and plays like a real boy, and even asks and responds to questions when you talk to him. The first time I watched him was with a friend, and we were both reminded of the little boy in Spielberg’s A.I. (Artificial Intelligence). Milo knows what you look like, thanks to the Natal sensor, and can recognize your face as well as the color clothing you're wearing.
"Oh, hi Mr. Lincoln, why are you wearing that awful black hat again?"
Users can interact with Milo's world almost as if it were real. A perfect example of this is Milo's fish pond, where you can lean over, ripple the water with your hands, and scare the little fish away. On the surface of the water is a wavy reflection of you, as captured by the sensor. Drawings you make can even be handed to Milo (By holding them up to the camera) and transferred into his universe where he'll reach up and take it.
Realize also that when playing this very fun and interactive game, you'll be seen by any real-world passerby as a lunatic trying to dance and swim into your television set. And you thought playing Wii tennis made you look silly.
To see Lionhead Studios’ E3 video on IGN’s page, click HERE.
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