THQ is the latest publisher to declare that they will have support for the Xbox 360 Project Natal controller at launch. The company is looking at both existing IP, as well as developing new IP, to support the controller at launch.

THQ is banking on the excitement that has been generated for the controller as the deciding factor to jump on the bandwagon to support it so early in the game. The company believes that while it will take some time to build an installed user base for the new controller, the factor that it is new and cool should help get Xbox 360 owners excited about the purchase of it.

The company believes that out of the gate consumers will see lower-cost titles that are designed especially for the controller, but as the installed base grows, the company thinks that many developers will be drawn to developing the bigger ticket titles that will support Natal.

It is still unknown what the real interest of the controller will be, but it is not lost on publishers and developers that the success or failure of the device will be dictated by the software titles that are released that support it. Many believe that as with the Wii, the control features of Natal could ignite some interesting titles that support it, but it always comes down to a question of money and resources and the potential for return on investment. Without solid software support Natal might go the way of that old robot controller than didn’t sell for the original Nintendo; at least right now no one is even considering that Natal could be a total flop.