Project Natal and Gesture Recognition in the new Elder Scrol : The Elder Scrolls Series Discussion

» Wed Sep 01, 2010 8:05 pm

I was thinking the other day about what kind of impact Natal could have on our next Elder Scrolls experience. Specifically I mean by this is implementing Natal's recognition technology with some of the games mechanics. It could deal with every class in some manner, the best one coming to mind being the Mage school's of magic.

Imagine going to the Mage's Guild to create your own spells. You choose the attributes of the spell. You name it. Then give it a unique hand gesture .. go out, cast the hand gesture, presto ! there goes your spell ?

It could work for Stealth characters too for things like lockpicking etc.

Any thoughts ?

» Wed Sep 01, 2010 3:06 pm

I was thinking the other day about what kind of impact Natal could have on our next Elder Scrolls experience. Specifically I mean by this is implementing Natal's recognition technology with some of the games mechanics. It could deal with every class in some manner, the best one coming to mind being the Mage school's of magic.

Imagine going to the Mage's Guild to create your own spells. You choose the attributes of the spell. You name it. Then give it a unique hand gesture .. go out, cast the hand gesture, presto ! there goes your spell ?

It could work for Stealth characters too for things like lockpicking etc.

Any thoughts ?

It would be pretty cool if Bethesda implemented Natal and Magic, if it was done right that is.

» Wed Sep 01, 2010 8:38 pm

I'm really not so sure, although it sounds interesting, what about us non-360 users? the ps3 and pc users, remember that the game has to be universally friendly in the main game as well as keeping it modifiable for pc users through mods, i really dont see how natal can be integrated into other sytems as well

» Wed Sep 01, 2010 1:15 pm

I want TES to have nothing to do with Natal, or motion-recognition tech in general. Partly because I find that motion-recognition is a gimmicky waste of tech. Partly because I don't want them wasting time and resources coding major aspects of the game in a very specific way, only to have to turn around and then code it in the normal way for those who have no ability or desire to use Natal.

» Wed Sep 01, 2010 11:11 am

I'm really not so sure, although it sounds interesting, what about us non-360 users? the ps3 and pc users, remember that the game has to be universally friendly in the main game as well as keeping it modifiable for pc users through mods, i really dont see how natal can be integrated into other sytems as well

That was my thoughts as well, they would have to code it specifically for Natal, which I doubt Bethesda will do.

It does sound intriguing, but not practical at the moment.

» Thu Sep 02, 2010 12:18 am

I don't see how one could maintain good control of your character while also waving your hands about. A device like Natal is also platform specific, it would cause problems if this was a major feature of the game and the PC and PS versions didn't have it.

» Wed Sep 01, 2010 8:52 pm

natal wont be used in es5. its cool tech, but the next ES will have no need for it, unless its something like facial construction. It wont happen, but if it did then that would maybe be cool.

» Wed Sep 01, 2010 10:45 am

I don't see how one could maintain good control of your character while also waving your hands about. A device like Natal is also platform specific, it would cause problems if this was a major feature of the game and the PC and PS versions didn't have it.

I heard that Project Natal is going to be a PC thing as well. But still, don't wanna screw over PS, unless TES is gonna become a microsoft only game. D:

Also, your new avatar made me lol.

» Wed Sep 01, 2010 12:11 pm

natal wont be used in es5. its cool tech, but the next ES will have no need for it, unless its something like facial construction. It wont happen, but if it did then that would maybe be cool.

That is actually a good idea, and it wouldn't break the bond of PC, PS3, and xbox. The devs should totally put something like that in.

» Wed Sep 01, 2010 6:24 pm

natal wont be used in es5. its cool tech, but the next ES will have no need for it, unless its something like facial construction. It wont happen, but if it did then that would maybe be cool.

As it was mentioned in http://www.gamesas.com/bgsforums/index.php?showtopic=1042112&st=0 (about http://gear.ign.com/articles/102/1027885p1.html) Bethesda is on the list of Natal developers and publishers. Unfortunately we don't have any details with this, it could even be for a game they're publishing rather than developing.

I heard that Project Natal is going to be a PC thing as well. But still, don't wanna screw over PS, unless TES is gonna become a microsoft only game. D:

That wouldn't surprise me, since the beginning one of the XBox's strengths has been its relative compatibility with the PC.

Also, your new avatar made me lol.

Thanks

» Wed Sep 01, 2010 2:19 pm

I do not know. I guess it mighe be fun. For several minutes, but I intend to put more into TES V. And I sort of like sitting by my PC and using keybord and mouse, rather than waving my hands in the air ina desparate attempt to create a spell. And IMHO, this would be another step from Character skill orientation to player skills oreintation as I would say that you would ahve to put a lot of personal effort to do the gestures right.

» Thu Sep 02, 2010 2:28 am

If they put Natal into TES V it would end up something like http://img66.imageshack.us/img66/1466/medi3.jpg
The guy in the left being the Gray Fox.

» Wed Sep 01, 2010 11:05 pm

Interesting, yes.

A good thing? Most certainly not. When I play TES, I think that standing up and waving your arms around like a maniac just to play the game would just ruin it for me. Not to mention how dumbed down the game might become if extra effort was devoted to making it Natal-compatible.

» Wed Sep 01, 2010 2:04 pm

As long as it was well thought-out and executed I think it could be revolutionary.

» Wed Sep 01, 2010 5:39 pm

I sure hope not. I play games to relax and like to sit in my leather chair and enjoy the experience.

I do not want to have to hop around like a fool or swing my arms around or anything stupid like that.

If I wanted to do that I would have purchased a Wii.

» Wed Sep 01, 2010 10:24 am

Natal is a good idea for only certain games. But for Elder Scrolls? No.

» Wed Sep 01, 2010 10:32 am

I can just see some person thinking it would be a good idea to grab a reenactor's swordand waving around, breaking their tv/computer in the process, ha!

» Wed Sep 01, 2010 11:18 am

I want TES to have nothing to do with Natal, or motion-recognition tech in general. Partly because I find that motion-recognition is a gimmicky waste of tech. Partly because I don't want them wasting time and resources coding major aspects of the game in a very specific way, only to have to turn around and then code it in the normal way for those who have no ability or desire to use Natal.

This, No Natal please.

» Wed Sep 01, 2010 2:14 pm

I'm almost positive the next Elder Scrolls will have some kind of Natal support, but I really wouldn't count on it being a big deal. Given that TESV will most likely come out on PC, 360, and PS3, I highly doubt that Bethesda would spend too much time designing the game based around a peripheral for one platform. You have nothing to worry about.

» Wed Sep 01, 2010 12:35 pm

I want TES to have nothing to do with Natal, or motion-recognition tech in general. Partly because I find that motion-recognition is a gimmicky waste of tech. Partly because I don't want them wasting time and resources coding major aspects of the game in a very specific way, only to have to turn around and then code it in the normal way for those who have no ability or desire to use Natal.

I agree, I'd rather them implementing customizable spell effect shaders than a gimmick.