E3 2009: Microsoft Invites Shigeru Miyamoto to See Project Natal

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Miyamoto We just left a behind-closed-doors demo of the upcoming "Project Natal," codename for the Xbox 360 camera/motion detector/voice recognizer/Minority Report-is-reality device Microsoft introduced at its E3 press conference this year.

Guess who's in the next group following in after us to see Natal? Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto himself, along with NOA Senior Manager of Product Marketing (and frequent on-stage demo guy) Bill Trinen and the rest of his Nintendo entourage.

We couldn't see Miyamoto's reactions to Natal, or if he got a chance to play any of the demos (the human Breakout seen at the press conference and a Burnout Paradise tech demonstration -- more on these later) himself, but just his apperance in this private area of Microsoft's booth got everyone there buzzing.

Wonder if he broke out in a sweat from jumping around in front of the camera -- or from seeing what it's capable of.

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Toby Davis

June 04, 2009 09:55

My question would be to the Natal team on how they felt for him trying out this in front of them? Someone had to have a camera or two on this.

Jeff Voss

June 04, 2009 10:03

I'd love for a video of this to get leaked. I wonder if there's any kind of strategy behind this...

Alexei GB

June 04, 2009 10:05

Maybe if you put the Wii Vitality Sensor on him you could tell if Natal got his pulse racing.

Roberto Flores

June 04, 2009 10:54

JAJAJAJAJAJAJAJAJAJAJA ... excellent Alexei ... can't stop laughing. You actually found an interesting use for that thing.

Jan Neves

June 04, 2009 10:58

Mama mia!

John Ostermiller

June 04, 2009 11:10

Miyamoto in a Microsoft booth (and quite possibly demoing their tech)... That's awesome.

Jay Runham

June 04, 2009 11:15

... I hope this grows into some kind of relationship between the two companies... Both companies could learn so much from each other. Xbox with their online capabilities, and Nintendo with its amazing gameplay and innovation... even if it doesn't grow, it's still a wonderful fanboy dream that has just got a little bit of hope thrown into it... ;D ...

Joe Harmon

June 04, 2009 11:27

@ Alexei: Wow that's funny!!! Well done. @ Jay: I think a working relationship is a pipe dream, but I'd welcome a more cordial, mutual respect type of relationship between the 2 companies...rather than the juvenile, snide comments they've exchanged over the years.

June 04, 2009 13:56

@ Roberto, Jay: Thank you, thank you! Props go to Mr. Hsu for the perfect set-up and to Nintendo for providing fodder for an endless line of jokes.

Dan "Shoe" Hsu

June 04, 2009 14:15

They didn't allow any cameras or recording devices in the Natal room. And they definitely didn't allow any Bitmobbers in the room when Miyamoto was there. :) But Demian and I got to check it out...will write it up soon.

Anu Pokharel

June 04, 2009 16:34

isnt it customary during E3 for each of the 3 to go to each others booths. I think i remember seeing Miyamoto at the gears2 demo once.

Brad Guise

June 05, 2009 07:47

@joe nintendo and microsoft go back in fourth. they stall each others progress on old rare games being released but then microsoft lets rare release ds games. very weird ;)

Herman McClain

June 12, 2009 00:46

You think this Project Natal is so great. Wait until Nintendo perfects motion control - because after all its always Nintendo revolutionizing the gaming controller industry.

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