Natal to Change Name, Retail For $149, & Hit Stores October 26th?

Alright readers — it’s time to reach up high and grab some low hanging fruit from the always-delicious-yet-sometimes-unsatisfying rumor tree. Today’s tidbit involves a Project Natal name change (which shouldn’t come as a huge shock since things of that nature often undergo a name change before their final release), a rumored $149 stand-alone price tag ($299 when bundled with Xbox Arcade), and a “penciled in” October 26th ship date that has yet to be finalized (even by rumor standards).

First thing’s first. All of this information is pure speculation at this point, though it’s worth noting that the speculation arises from a reputable site in Edge Online, who says their intel comes from a “trusted source.”

Oddly enough, the words “trusted source” link then to an Edge Online piece about Gears of War 3 that further clarifies the source as “our US publishing source.” And those words are linked as well — this time to another Edge write up which once again talks about Gears 3 and features a quote from Epic Games VP, Mark Rein.

Now, I’m in no way saying Mark Rein is Edge’s source, but considering the type of Microsoft/Epic Games related information the source has, and the fact that Edge refers to that individual with the term “US publishing”, does lead me to believe that the source might be someone employed by Epic Games.

Update: UK based website, NowGamer, claims to have received information from a “source close to Microsoft” that the Natal device will be renamed “Wave” a few short weeks from now at E3.

Sound Off: Share your thoughts on this in the comments section below. Do you think someone at Epic Games is the Edge Online source? Furthermore, do you buy any of the Natal information rumored above, and if so, would you dish out $149 for the device?

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  • selits

    To me, Natal is only worth $50. I know its new tech and has a reason to cost $100+ but I don’t care for motion control. At $50, I’d be willing to buy it to try out otherwise, I can do without it.

  • http://facebook.com/nickreaume Citruspop

    a camera’s not THAT important… not $150 worth..

  • http://www.pregamelobby.com LobbycastGeoff

    I would not purchase Natal for $150. At this point in the hardware cycle, I figured that Natal would be bundled in at current prices or available separately for around $70 or $80. At double what I was planning on spending, that is a hard sell.

  • http://www.ripten.com Chad Lakkis

    I’d have to agree with you Lobby. I never got on the Wii bandwagon and I’m not sure I can see myself hopping onto the Microsoft version of it. As sad as it may sound, I play video games as means of relaxation, and in my opinion, the less work involved to do so the better.

  • http://www.ripten.com Chad Lakkis

    But…but…it lets you hit a red ball when you move your arm!! What’s wrong with you!!?? :D

  • http://www.ripten.com Chad Lakkis

    I have a feeling they will drop the price on this device very quickly.

  • http://facebook.com/nickreaume Citruspop

    minimal movement for me. sit on the couch, relaxed, controller in lap, arms in lap. i don’t want to stand up.

  • Justin Currie

    I am not going to shell out the $150 for the Kinect. I mean in all honestly why would I want to pay that much for something that allows me to flail my arms around and look like a lunatic while playing what looks to be very boring games for more mature audiences. If it was in the $80-$90 range I would buy it but as it stands now I think I will wait a few months for the price to drop.

    Natal was a much cooler name.