Microsoft product director Aaron Greenberg has predicted that Project Natal will sell "millions and millions" this Christmas.

The claim will be music to the ears of third party publishers - 70 per cent of whom are creating software for the game.

Sega West boss Mike Hayes that he hopes Natal will hit half of Microsoft's European installed base.

"Our focus for launch [for Natal] is on original experiences, built from the ground up," Greenberg told Edge's April issue. "We believe that's important because the first impression has to be a magical one.

"But because we expect millions and millions of these things to be sold this Christmas, over time developers will know millions of customers have these sensors so they can add functionality to their games.

"So you may see hybrid approaches, but our initial focus is on those unique experiences."