Rumor: Project Natal May Sell For As Little As $50 [Sources Say Microsoft Will Set Low Price For Natal To Install User Base, Will Make Money Back On Games]

It seems like Microsoft’s Project Natal has been in the works forever, but this time it seems like the launch date of Christmas 2010 is going to stick and more details about the Xbox 360′s motion controller add-on are coming out. Rumors have come out that the add-on will cost less than $80, perhaps even $50 so Microsoft can get a large Wii-like user base.

These rumors originally surfaced last November when a leak from Microsoft’s French division said that the Natal would cost less than €50 ($68). At the time, Microsoft said that any launch details were untrue and they would reveal pricing in due time.

The rumors are starting up again, as Fudzilla is reporting that their sources within Microsoft’s campus are saying that Natal is a hot topic. It’s common for game console manufacturers to lose money on the console initially to make it back on the licensing fees for the games (Sony is still losing money on the PS3), but it’s less common for them to attempt that retail model with accessories and add-ons.

Project Natal is wildly seen as Microsoft’s answer to the Nintendo Wii as well as being an attempt to extend the lifespan of the Xbox 360 console during an economic recession. Natal uses a motion-detecting bar that monitors movement by the players.

According to numbers provided by Microsoft, 70% of current third-party developers are working on new games for the Natal. They also are going to attempt to add Natal functionality to existing, pre-Natal Xbox 360 games.