Late last night, after their Pre-E3 Press Conference and the revelation of their Games on Demand service, Microsoft hosted a number of hands-on sessions with Project NATAL and, perhaps more importantly, Lionhead Studio’s first software for the system, currently known as Milo. Luckily for you, an associate of Electronic Theatre was at this very private event, and we can now bring you hands-on details of the exciting new technology.
Project NATAL itself is a full-body recognition system, set to be integrated into every aspect of the Xbox 360, from browsing the Dashboard
Menus, to the proposed social networking systems set to be launched this Autumn, to fully-fledged videogame releases. Blend Games are hosting a trailer showcasing the announced Ricochet and painting software (with the same elephant sketch drawn live on-stage at Microsoft’s Pre-E3 Press Conference), which we advise you to take a look at before reading further about Peter Molyneux’s latest project.
Currently known only as Milo, the software is the next step in Artificial Intelligence (AI). No longer are we referring to flanking tactics or pathfinding, AI within videogames now encompasses the traditional Science-Fiction view of creating true artificial life. Milo is a young boy; he has his own interests and his own perspective. He has opinions, emotions and reacts directly to the person standing in front of the screen. The demo was brief, but if the possibilities of Milo become a reality, no-one could deny that it is a giant leap forward not just for videogames, but for technology in general.
With hardware that appeared to be far from complete, the demonstration began with Milo sitting on a tree swing. The player was asked to approach the screen and begin looking around, presumably allowing the hardware to calibrate itself to the player’s perspective and physicality. The camera angle is controlled by movement of the head, it seems, and once this realisation sets-in is quite responsive.
The playable demo followed a similar path to that which was shown at the Pre-E3 Press Conference, with Milo offering goggles to the player, and then ushering you into playing with the water. It’s been reported that other activities, such as building a tree house and interacting
with pets, will also be available when the game completes. And yes, Milo will arrive at retail as a full game with a storyline, Electronic Theatre has been informed.
Milo directly interacts with the player, responding to movement and inconsequentials, and even commenting on the player’s appearance. However, it was clear that a member of the development team was on-hand to offer assistance to the program, though it’s not yet known how much was delivered in real-time by the hardware and how much was provided by manual prompting.
Milo currently delivers the next-generation solution to titles such as the Nintendo64’s Pikachu Genki Dechu or perhaps even Nintendogs, with Molyneux himself referring to it being, at the most basic level, similar to a Tamagotchi. Dependant entirely on Project NATAL, which in itself is yet to be proven more reliable than the Wii Remote’s just-about-sufficient accuracy; Milo could become either the start of the next wave of technology or a beautiful idea hemmed-in by a passionate push for technology that currently remains beyond us. Electronic Theatre will, of course, keep you informed of all the latest on Project NATAL and Milo.
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Comments
Microsoft had a smooth conference that actually had some well-documented surprises.
NOTES TO SONY:
Rush job = Not good.