Nope. It is not natal as in embryo. It is pronounced “nuh-TALL” and it could be in your living rooms in the nearest future.

Microsoft has announced that it will go head-to-head with the Nintendo Wii with its Xbox without any controllers. Instead, it will use a camera to capture the movements of players in a 3-dimensional space. Your entire body becomes your controller. It aims to immerse the player inside the game. It’s a literal “Look Ma! No hands.” deal. Not only that. It recognizes faces and voice commands – technology that is already present today.

“Before, there was a barrier separating video-game players from everyone else. Now, with Natal, everyone can join in using the best controller ever invented: you.” said Don Mattrick, senior vice president for Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft.

The Microsoft Xbox Natal was demonstrated to an audience recently. During the demonstration, players interacted with a soccer/football game using their legs, hand and, practically, their entire body.

None other than acclaimed director Steven Spielberg was in attendance. He even mentioned that this new technology will reach a new audience who are afraid of holding a controller or a joystick.

Microsoft has not announced when the Xbox Natal will be available nor its pricing. However, much anticipation was generated and it seems that the console wars are not yet over.

SOURCES: CNN, INFORMATION WEEK, DEVIN’S ADVOCATE