Microsoft Announces Major Publisher Support For Natal

Microsoft has announced multiple major publishers -- including Activision, Bethesda, Capcom, MTV Games, Square, Ubisoft, and others -- currently working on Natal controller content, ahead of a TGS event discussing the device. According to the company, publishers actively working on games for “Project Natal” include Activision Blizzard, Bethesda Softworks, Capcom, Disney Interactive, Electronic Arts, Konami, MTV Games, Namco Bandai, Sega, Square Enix, THQ and Ubisoft. Together, Microsoft comments, these publishers account for more than 70 percent of third-party software sales for this generation of console and "most of the world’s most recognized video game franchises." Coming three months after “Project Natal” was unveiled at E3, Microsoft claims that "the announcements at the Tokyo Game Show underscore the swift industry support for the revolutionary controller-free experiences being developed exclusively for Xbox 360." Unveiled for the first time in June, “Project Natal” combines an RGB camera, depth sensor and multi-array microphone running proprietary software, and competes with other motion and gesture recognition solutions including the PlayStation 3's Motion controller and the Wii remote with MotionPlus. Microsoft is hosting a panel at the Tokyo Game Show featuring three developers: Capcom's Keiji Inafune, creator of Mega Man and Dead Rising, Sega’s Toshihiro Nagoshi, creator of Super Monkey Ball, and Konami’s Hideo Kojima, creator of the Metal Gear Solid series. Further details of publishers’ new “Project Natal”-inspired projects will be released at a later date, and Gamasutra now has a report on the Japanese creator panel.