TGS 09: Microsoft “not likely” to add Natal support to existing Xbox 360 games

Natal’s definitely building up a lot of hype, what with the heavy hopes for it coming not only from Microsoft but from third parties as well. While the tech is pretty much a sure thing for new games, what about the old titles already in circulation? In contrast to Sony‘s plans of patching older releases for motion controller support, Microsoft says that it’s not likely that they’ll take the same approach for existing Xbox 360 games.

Natal’s definitely building up a lot of hype, what with the heavy hopes for it coming not only from Microsoft but from third parties as well. While the tech is pretty much a sure thing for new games, what about the old titles already in circulation?

In contrast to Sony‘s plans of patching older releases for motion controller support, Microsoft says that it’s not likely that they’ll take the same approach for existing Xbox 360 games.

Microsoft Games’ Kudo Tsunoda explains that even though they have been successful at adding Natal support to older Xbox 360 releases, the amount of code that had to be altered was quite significant. Significant enough to rule out simple updates. Publishers would likely have to re-release a game if they want to add Natal support to it.

Disappointing, but at least it’s not impossible yet. Let’s hope they manage to figure out how to do it.

• TGS 09: Project Natal to be supported by the industry’s top publishers

Via Destructoid