I guess we all heard that Microsoft is likely (?) to show a camera-based, controller-free motion detection system at E3. Supposedly to fend off Nintendo (or Sony depending who you listen to) and to appeal to the casual gamers.
Here are some things I will be watching for that will make the difference between this being actually useful or just a nice idea that goes nowhere.
If they don't show or describe these things, then it hasn't got them (or at least hasn't got them yet).
Local multiplayer
If it doesn't have this, then it is no use as a casual device - you'll get all of the embarrassment and none of the togetherness. It will be restricted to the back bedroom and never make it to the living room
Accurate pointing
If it doesn't have this, then it is no use for most serious gaming - strictly novelty value only.
Error recovery
What does it do if your mother walks in front of you carrying a tray or if your sister throws a cushion across the room? If it doesn't have this it's bye-bye to the living room again.
Lag-free operation
If it doesn't have this (watch the demos closely) it will be no use in anything that needs timing/speed. It'll need slow games to run properly.
I'm all for innovation, but there do seem to be some big potential holes here which I hope can be overcome. Otherwise this thing will be exactly as innovative and exactly as popular as the Theremin. Which nobody actually plays either.
