XBox Gamechanger, Project Natal
From the latest E3 announcements – Project Natal – where “You are the Controller.” In an effort to blow past the Wii accelerometer, Microsoft’s anti-controller approach literally changes the game on console gaming. Many believed that Microsoft and Sony Playstation would have to merely copy the Wii remote to stay competitive, but with this latest “Minority Report” like gameplay (“sans remote”), one wonders if there is a competitive next step or manuever possible. With Spielberg as part of the E3 Announcement – the same Spielberg who partnered to create “Boom Blox” with Nintendo – the only issue now is workability – will the device match the demo?
Per SAI comments: Natal motion control has a special non-light sensitive sensor, an RGB sensor, a depth sensor, a multi-array microphone and a special processor, and will be packaged with future Xbox consoles. Definitely a very competitive game-changer to the Nintendo Wii.
What Would Google Do (to Innovate Next)?
Jeff Jarvis’ book came out this past week – yes, we recommend buying it immediately as we did – and then BusinessWeek does a related cover story. Most be a good week for Jarvis, whose BuzzMachine blog and regular Davos’ accolades help him challenge businesses to iterate more openly and innovate their practices. Per Chris Anderson (of the Long Tail): “Google is not just a company, it is an entirely new way of thinking about understanding who we are and what we want.” But where does Google go next? Read more >>
Wii Shall Overcome
A great panel at CES today – “Wii Shall Overcome: The Triumph of Simplicity and the Lessons We Can Learn from Nintendo.” The panel were Wii believers in the clean, simple design which changed the physical gaming home environment; rough meaning, it was inclusive of all family generations. Wii was bigger than just Mii.