Well it is definitely an interesting concept for a gaming machine. Still curious how a lot of the functions would work for the current state of gaming but I can't wait for E3 2010 to see actual games using the tech and in live demonstrations.
It's obvious MS is taking a lot from Ninty in how they are going to make this work and I think that is a good thing. Nintendo showed a strategy for being able to introduce new technology to the gaming world and successfully hype and market it to a mainstream crowd. MS seems to understand that and hopefully will follow suit if they want it to be successful.
As for how big Natal will be, it's a risky move and will depend a lot on the marketing and namely if they have a game to go with it that is a big games. I mean the Wii needed Wii Sports to take off and then subsequent big properties to keep it going. MS will need something similar.
Personally on all of this, I can't say I'm extremely excited for Natal. I believe you take out immersion when you take out a physical medium to tie the gamer into the game. Whether it be a controller or a wiimote or even some a random stick, the people on screen have something and to feel immerse you need something as well. Actually, one of my main complaints on wiimote to the immersiveness of a game is sometimes the wiimote isn't heavy enough to really feel like you are holding the object in the game. Imagine how that difference would be with Natal.
For the sales potential, I think it'll be a pretty big deal, but MS hasn't sold it just yet. Unlike what the OP stated, this is not a big mainstream idea yet. This is nowhere near the level of what DS or Wii has been and their techs or even the PS2. MS has a long way to go to get this in the eyes of the mainstream and a common view. I mean notice how often Wii Sports appears in common media or common terms. If MS wants that success for Natal, they have to be able to do something similar. That's going to take work, and work I'll be able to determine over the next 9 months.
