Xbox 360 motion controller confirmed

Microsoft has confirmed recent rumours that it will soon launch a new motion control system for the Xbox 360 console.

Speaking at the E3 event, Xbox senior vice-president Don Mattick revealed that the full-body motion control device is currently going under the codename Project Natal.

The unit uses sensors and a camera to pick up body movement to command on-screen action, while it will also offer voice control options as well.

Mattick was joined by film director Stephen Spielberg during the presentation, who said: "The next step in interactive entertainment is to make the controller disappear."

Project Natal's Kudo Tsunodo claimed that the new system will deliver a "never dreamed possible" level of control, while promising that it will be usable in the "most natural way".

To demonstrate the technology, Tsunodo showed off a game called Ricochet, in which players use their movement to hit balls towards targets.

A consumer release date has yet to be announced for the device, however it is understood that developers have now received access to the technology to shape future projects.

This also follows an image leaked last month by Endgadget that was claimed to depict the Project Natal system set up in a living room.