For background, Microsoft’s Project Natal has been billed as providing controller-free gaming and navigation for the Xbox 360 with movements on the screen based on players’ physical gestures. Sony’s Move for the PlayStation 3 utilizes a motion-capturing controller, plus a secondary “sub-controller” providing additional functionality. Both were revealed at E3 last year and rely in part on an integrated camera to capture movement. Of course, motion control is not new: Nintendo released the Wii in 2006 in the US.

So how do Natal and Move fare in terms of consumer response going into E3? Fully 23% are aware of Move and 21% of Natal among the total group of gamers surveyed, regardless of systems owned. For those who actually own, play and purchase games for the requisite consoles already, 42% of PlayStation 3 gamers are aware of Move and 39% of Xbox 360 gamers are aware of Natal. Gamers voice slightly greater purchase interest for Natal, though the differences are small between gamers for the relevant consoles. Those who are aware voice substantial definite purchase interest which speaks to the high anticipation among the most engaged consumers in the category.

Microsoft Project Natal

Sony Move

* Defined as those who are “definitely” interested in buying among those who are aware of Natal/Move

** Release date expectations were asked among those who are aware of each motion control system

These figures represent something of an initial read in that many key details, such as specific games supported and price, have yet to be released, and advertising campaigns have not yet shifted into gear. Indeed, nearly 40% of gamers state that they don’t know when either of these motion control systems will be available despite the fact that both companies have publicly stated that plans are to release these in the holiday timeframe.

One detail which has received much scrutiny is price. There have been wide-ranging estimates about these in the blogosphere and consumer views reflect some of this uncertainty. Gamers are fairly united in believing that Move will cost somewhere between $26 and $75. Sony has stated that the price will be below $100 so this is perhaps unsurprising. But for Natal there is a fairly wide distribution, with 27% thinking it will cost over $100 but a near equal 31% believing it will be under $50. It will be interesting to see if pricing is clarified next week and if so, how consumers perceive the value.

The presentations of Natal and Move are highly anticipated in the industry as these products are seen as potential catalysts for holiday season buying. It will be important to gauge consumer response over the coming weeks and months as more details are revealed.

The table below shows total positive purchase interest (definitely or probably interested in buying the title) for games that garnered at least 30 percent on this metric and will be released at least a month from now.  For most of these twelve titles, either a trailer was released or gameplay was demoed in some form at E3. But interestingly, there were not massive spikes in consumer interest in purchasing these titles from pre- to post-E3. Most moved up or down 1-2 percent at most, which is well within the margin of error. In other words, games that already tugged at gamers’ hearts held on.

E3, Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony Buzz, May 24 – June 6, 2009

Microsoft kicked-off the excitement with a pre-expo press conference on Monday, announcing the new Project Natal, a hands-free motion sensing device for Xbox 360, and the upcoming The Beatles: Rock Band game. Even with an on-stage appearance by Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr to endorse the new Rock Band title, Project Natal overshadowed all other announcements, generating 12% of E3 discussion.

Not to be outdone, Nintendo and Sony each held press conferences on the first official day of E3, revealing major upcoming products of their own. Nintendo unveiled a new Vitality Sensor for Wii, but consumers more heavily discuss two upcoming games for the ever-popular Mario franchise, New Super Mario Bros. Wii and Mario Galaxy 2. In fact, New Super Mario Bros. Wii beats out other highly anticipated titles like God of War III for PS3 and Metal Gear Solid for Xbox 360 in buzz volume. Consumers also heavily discuss the PSP Go!, the new handheld gaming device officially unveiled by Sony on Tuesday. The new device makes up 11% of all E3 buzz, coming a close second behind the heavily discussed Project Natal in hardware-related discussion.

With a bevy of announcements expected from press conferences of the major players in the gaming industry, what are gaming enthusiasts discussing prior to the show? Even though most gamers agree that new developments for existing hardware is cool, console enthusiasts are more focused on what the future holds for upcoming games. One week before the conference, upcoming titles were mentioned in just over half of all E3 discussion, while the new PSP Go! and anticipated Xbox 360 motion sensor each garner less than 10% of E3 buzz. Unveilings are expected to occur for a long list of titles, but prior to the expo, games generating the most buzz include Gran Turismo 5 for PS3, Mass Effect 2 and Metal Gear Solid 4 + Oxide for Xbox 360, and Legend of Zelda: Spirit Track for Nintendo DS.