Natal Compatible "Sonic Free Riders" on XBLA?

[Shadic?]

Possibly a new Sonic Riders for XBLA that takes advantage of Project Natal? That's what's rumored!

On Sunday, June 13, Microsoft will host its Project Natal event -- you know, the gala event with Cirque du Soleil? We're betting we'll get details on launch price and date for Project Natal (not to mention its real name) there, but ahead of that event we've got some interesting news on an upcoming Natal title, care of our Joystiq Superspy™.

We're told that Sega is preparing an Xbox Live Arcade game for Project Natal, titled Sonic Free Riders. As you may have guessed, it's a motion-compatible entry in Sega's racing series. Players will supposedly steer an on-screen avatar via bodily movement, and will acquire weapons by reaching out toward the screen, and attack other racers by motioning towards them.

It all sounds very intuitive, but will it be fun? We'll let you know in a few weeks when we touch down in L.A. for E3 2010.

www.joystiq.com/2010/06/02/rumor-natal-compatible-sonic-free-riders-coming-to-xbla/

Sonic Riders? Meh
Natal? Eh, I'm good.
Sonic Riders on Natal? I have no interest.

[Exu]

Two terrible Sonic Riders games weren't enough so it seems.

Now make the "free" part literal and my interest will be upgraded to "will give a go when I get Natal, and hate it".

[Eleonora B.M]

the first was nice , the second was terrible , not to mention too hard from the beginning! They give you a tutorial with a lot of those weird anti gravity moves, that are really hard to manage, not too mention a lousy story! I think this makes much the point LOL! ;D

[Arch_one_zero_one]

I preferred the 2nd SR game, and enjoyed both. They weren't amazing, but they were alright, so I'll probably check this out.

[Juliett. Bravo. Alfa.]

I liked Sonic Riders. Didn't like the 2nd as much even though it did kinda improve on it. Air gimmick was nerfed too much in Zero Grav.

I'm not convinced by Natal yet. Tech is impressive but I need something real to hold really.

[madhair60]

I played the [censored] out of Sonic Riders despite it being impossibly hard and crap. Never tried ZG. Won't try this, 'cos it's Natal which is going to be absolute gubbins.

[Emilybee]

I played the first and liked the second because it handled better. I must confess I spent a lot of time doing a lot of loosing in the first game and did the reverse for ZG.

I wouldn't mind another game, honestly, it was the voice actors for team Babylon and their designs I didn't like and that was all. There A.I. though was so set in its way that I could almost predict its patterns, it would be nice if it "learnt" some of your tricks to make it harder but it has 4 routes or so programmed into it and nothing more. Then in GP mode, they also used their default boards, even though you could select the best there was. This meant unless you slipped up, GP mode was a lot easier and a lot faster to get rings from then any other mode.

Challenge is what I wanted... And ZG didn't give.

[Alex]

I want to try and give a [censored] - 'cos I loved the Natal presentation last year and am looking forward to seeing what exactly it can actually do - but the mere label of Sonic Riders makes me want to vomit from the memories of the awful, awful first game...

Keep it cheap, have it on XBLA so it at least has a trial, and make it a good demonstration of the Natal potential and I'll eat my words and give it a look - but, ultimately, I just can't get into thinking "Oh yeah, can't wait to see what this turns out like!11".

[lordgazza]

Hmm not trying to be overly cynical about the premise but something very similar tried and failed in Tony Hawk Ride. To be honest I think natal isn't going to be as good as people say they it will be. I doubt the idea would work and I dont know if there would be that much interest in another Sonic Riders game. I personally found them acceptable but by no means good games.

[Juliett. Bravo. Alfa.]

Well Sega has bought the domain. Can't say I'm overly excited until I see a trailer with an annoyingly addictive theme tune.

[Adamis]

SEGA ANNOUNCES ITS FIRST TITLE FOR “KINECT” FOR Xbox 360
Sonic Free Riders™ brings full body motion controlled fast-paced boarding action into people’s homes!

LOS ANGELES (June 14th, 2010) – SEGA Europe Ltd. & SEGA America Inc., today announced Sonic Free Riders™. Set for release Holiday 2010, Sonic Free Riders™ offers an extreme fast-paced boarding game and is developed to take full advantage of “Kinect” for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft.

For the first time ever in a SEGA game, full-motion body control will allow you to twist and turn your way through a range of visually stunning courses in an action-packed Sonic experience unlike any other! “Kinect’s” unique motion sensor means Sonic Free Riders™ will see family and friends controlling their fully customisable hover board or bike by twisting, turning and jumping in an exhilarating race to be the first to cross the finish line! Choosing from one of your favourite Sonic characters, or your own Avatar, you can reach out and grab a variety of pickups along the course. By throwing, shaking, or swinging your arms to launch your weapon, you can gain the competitive edge over your rivals in high octane single or multiplayer races.

“SEGA is immensely excited to be a part of Microsoft’s line up for “Kinect” for Xbox 360, the full body motion control is an innovative avenue allowing for complete immersion in the game” commented Gary Knight, Senior Vice President of Marketing at SEGA Europe and SEGA America. “This is a whole new way to play as Sonic! By providing a complete level of freedom, movement and ease of play, “Kinect” for Xbox 360 and Sonic Free Riders ensures all the family can enjoy the thrill of racing as if they were actually on their hover boards.”

Sonic Free Riders™ will be available to play with “Kinect” for Xbox 360 for Holiday 2010.

[Exu]

Game's gonna be poo.

[Beeth]

Don't worry. In a few years time everyone will have forgotten about it, and remaining copies in circulation will turn up only in the value baskets outside the doorway to Tesco's. Or Walmart if you're in America. Or if you're in Australia..... (checks Wikipedia)... Coles.

[lordgazza]

Oh joy!

[Adamis]

[Tom J]

I declare these poses to be named "Mother walks in on threesome", "Decrepit woman hailing a Taxi", and "Seizure Swan".

cos

[Mark]

The only way I will buy this game is if they actually expand the audience to include controller support, for people who don't feel like spending £150 on ANOTHER wii.

[Shadic?]

Looks like an upscaled Wii game.

[Alex]

It seriously must be a rule that all Sonic Riders games must be fugly as all hell. How did they manage this with the graphical power of a 360 behind them? Christ.

[Emilybee]

I don't mind the screenshots, its a working version I said to see. For me, if it slips too far back into the realms of orginal Riders difficulty, that would be the loss for me. I don't mind the lack of challenge that ZG had, just so long as it doesn't slip back THAT far or get easier to play then ZG.

Otherwise, I'd consider buying it anyway, I'm not one of those who didn't enjoy riders... If only it was an X-box 360 my brother had.

[Juliett. Bravo. Alfa.]

www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1kFJdxjm2c

You [censored]ers are gonna lose some damn weight whether you want to or not.

Also: Why for another set of E-10000000000000000000ZERO Robots, Sega? Why not some one cool? Its not like you have 100's of characters to choose from?

[Mark]

Stopped watching after a minute.
Also controllers are not supported, not buying natal. Would rather have a dick balanced infront of my TV. Least the products to clean the surface and the alcohol to forget it afterwards would cost less than the Natal.

[Tom J]

THIS GAME IS SO COOL

[Moo]

So basically kinect is going to make everyone look like theyre having seizures or something.

[lordgazza]

This whole natal/kinetic thing to me has been a bad idea from the start to me even if we tak free riders out of the equation. Video games are meant to be relaxing one look at that video tells me you wont be able to relax while playing on kinetic. You're more likely to have a heart attack from all you. I simply don't think all the motion control lark is the next step for gaming even if some of the stuff looks good.