This Week in the Mercury

Blood, Honey, and a Trojan Horse

Film

Blood, Honey, and a Trojan Horse

Angelina Jolie Brings a Dog into the Bosnian War


I, Anonymous

Columns

I, Anonymous

Breeder on Board



  |  

Sunday, June 7, 2009

Games Project Natal: Microsoft's Next Big Gimmick Thing

Posted by Earnest "Nex" Cavalli on Sun, Jun 7, 2009 at 5:59 PM

E3 2009 was a surprisingly big deal. Nintendo announced new Metroid and Super Mario Bros. games, Sony showed the world that it still, kinda, sorta cares about the PSP and Microsoft ... well, Microsoft gave us this:

That's "Project Natal."

Looks cool right? Yeah, that's what my roommates said too. What both they and you — and the legions of gaming writers who were worked into a frenzy by Microsoft's video — is that this is exactly the sort of thing that we were all promised when Nintendo first showed off the Wii. "You'll be able to skateboard, just like in real life!" they said, and we all believed them, not knowing that the Wii would just be a silly marketing gimmick only appreciable by people who didn't play videogames to begin with.

I'm not saying Natal is destined to fall short of your expectations, or that it will only appeal to housewives and the elderly — people too oblivious to the actual promise of gaming as a medium to appreciate the "what could have been" of the situation — but until Microsoft actually releases this thing and it makes us all wet our collective underoos with delight, I'm going to remain cynical.

 

Comments (16) RSS

Oldest First Unregistered On Registered On Add a comment
1
Oh boy! I can't wait to accidentally roundhouse kick my TV in and make my creepy family buy another one.
Posted by Will Radik on June 7, 2009 at 7:23 PM · Report
2
"What both they and you — and the legions of gaming writers who were worked into a frenzy by Microsoft's video — is that this is exactly the sort of thing that we were all promised when Nintendo first showed off the Wii."

This sentence could use another verb.
Posted by A CAT, probably on June 7, 2009 at 7:32 PM · Report
3
Snarkology. Technology is always paying it forward, evolving crude to elegant. Wii broadened, not deepened. The usoft thing is about dorkbots hacking maya/softimage to make films like producers make music. Got that? Virtual worlds are merging with social networking.
Posted by R on June 7, 2009 at 8:14 PM · Report
4
They had a radio like that in Hitchhikers Guide - you have to sit perfectly still or it will change the channel...

I'll see how reliable/annoying it is when it comes out. It could be amazing, or it could make you avoid the living room.
Posted by Matthew D on June 8, 2009 at 1:27 AM · Report
5
Gives Red Ring of Death a whole new meaning now.
Posted by NIG GER on June 8, 2009 at 5:35 AM · Report
6
Nothing Offensive, I think that was complete sentence.

I dig my Wii. It's not everything they promised, but it makes new types of gaming possible. It's a welcome break from the old days of "Ours is 16 bit." "Oh yeah, ours is 32 bit!"

Nintendo realized something new was necessary to break that cycle. And as long as Sony and Microsoft have a $500 price of entry for their new systems, they can go screw.
Posted by Blabby on June 8, 2009 at 10:17 AM · Report
7
Blabby, take out the hyphenated clause and you get "What both they and you is that this is exactly the sort of thing that we were all promised when Nintendo first showed off the Wii." That sentence is missing a verb. I'm not sure how else I can break it down for you people.
Posted by A CAT, probably on June 8, 2009 at 3:13 PM · Report
8
Yes, NO. You are right. If you remove crucial parts of the sentence, it leaves the sentence incomplete.

I'm humbled by your astounding logic, oh High Word Wizard.
Posted by Earnest "Nex" Cavalli on June 9, 2009 at 3:08 AM · Report
9
Dude, if you leave in the "crucial parts", it still doesn't make sense. Like I said, it is missing a verb.

Start at the beginning: "What both they and you." Ok, you with me, Nex? Now, connect this to anything else in the sentence. You may notice that it isn't possible, because a "verb" (like, say, "forget" or "overlook") is missing.

I'm starting to understand why they don't even bother getting you lobotomized fuckwits a copy editor...
Posted by A CAT, probably on June 9, 2009 at 1:24 PM · Report
10
"lobotomized fuckwits"

Hmm. I though you were trying to "play nice and keep any criticism focused on posts (not posters)."
Posted by Matthew D on June 9, 2009 at 5:51 PM · Report
11
God, the "quoting the text thing" rules (not joking, I love it).

Anyway, have you read the comments, Matthew? If you were the magical snowflake that walked in and was all "why, yes, that sentence is quite obviously missing a verb, and I don't know what Blabby and Nex were possibly smoking," I think we could possibly start building blogtown's brave new world. Until then, I just want to wilt and/or buy remedial grammar lessons for everyone.
Posted by A CAT, probably on June 9, 2009 at 7:59 PM · Report
12
[and my quotation mark is misplaced... being a rageful pedant is hard work.]
Posted by A CAT, probably on June 9, 2009 at 8:01 PM · Report
13
I have read the comments and yes they suck. No where near as bad as YouTube, and but they are below the normal standards for blogtown. But Blabby is only useful for "Your Mom is so Fat" jokes, (seriously, if anyone has the right to complain about me being a Chronic Dick, it is Blabby) so I'm not sure why you are bothering in the first place.
Posted by Matthew D on June 9, 2009 at 8:49 PM · Report
14
I think it was mainly Nex's obliviousness to how sentences work that got to me.

Combined with Matt and Sarah's "hurr durr research" schtick, Will Radik being a fucking intern, and the fact that the soccer/recall idiots never went away, I'm just kind of disheartened by blogtown at the moment. Perhaps I'll try another brief retirement and get my energy back.
Posted by A CAT, probably on June 9, 2009 at 10:16 PM · Report
15
Plus, I like Blabby. And you. And Rom. And Jake. And most other people here. It's the attempts at serious discussion by people that just don't decide that there's no reason to put effort into debate that's gotten to me. This too will pass, I'm sure.
Posted by A CAT, probably on June 9, 2009 at 10:24 PM · Report
16
fuck, my brain (and typety skills) is braked. brb, guise. take care of yourselves.
Posted by A CAT, probably on June 9, 2009 at 10:55 PM · Report

Add a comment

Our Friends

Our Enemies

/images/adoftheweek.gif

ad of the day

The Handyman Pro - Your Honey-Do Specialist
Don’t let our name fool you. The Handyman Pro, LLC is a repair and remodel service provider with over 25-years experience. We cover all aspects of construction and repairs for residential and commercial clients.go


post an ad

All contents © Index Newspapers, LLC

115 SW Ash St. Suite 600
Portland, OR 97204

Contact Info | Privacy Policy | Production Guidelines | Terms of Use