High-Voltage-Software
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Next-gen Saints Row 4, Gat Out of Hell launching one week early
Deep Silver issued a new trailer and screens for Saints Row: Gat out of Hell today, the stand-alone expansion for the publisher's popular open-world shooter, Saints Row 4. The game will feature "seven deadly weapons" for hero Johnny Gat to use against demonic enemies, each seen in action in the trailer after the break. The expansion will now launch one week ahead of schedule on January 20, 2015 alongside the Xbox One and PS4 ports of Saints Row 4, dubbed "Re-Elected." Deep Silver announced both projects at PAX Prime in late August with January 27 release dates attached to them. Those pre-ordering the $50 Xbox One or PS4 bundles, which include both Saints Row 4 and Gat Out of Hell, will also receive the Devil's Workshop and Plague of Frogs DLC packs for the games. Otherwise, players can purchase Gat Out of Hell on its own for $20 for PC, Xbox 360 and PS3. [Image: Deep Silver]
Mortal Kombat launches on PC via Steam, price slashed on PSN
NetherRealm Studios' gory one-on-one fighter, Mortal Kombat, is now available on PC platforms via Steam and other digital distribution services, collecting all previously released DLC in an all-in-one package. A retail version is set for release on August 6. Mortal Kombat Komplete Edition includes all DLC released in the months following Mortal Kombat's 2011 console launch, adding the playable characters Skarlet, Kenshi, Rain, and yes, Freddy Krueger from the A Nightmare on Elm Street film series. Fellow slasher film star Jason Voorhees was not invited to the tournament, unfortunately. PlayStation 3 owners can currently pick up a digital copy of the original, non-Komplete version of Mortal Kombat at a steep dis[k]ount. For this week only, Mortal Kombat is available from the PlayStation Network for $9.99, and the price is slashed to $5 for PlayStation Plus members. The PS Vita version is also on sale for $9.99, or $5 for PS Plus subscribers.
Zoombies is a fiesta of undead carnage
This is Portabliss, a column about downloadable games that can be played on the go. Say the name High Voltage, and your first thought might be the Conduit series of first-person shooters (or this). While the studio is indeed known most recently for The Conduit, one of its other ideas has been languishing for quite some time, namely Animales de la Muerte. Originally slated for WiiWare, and then for XBLA and PSN, the game has finally found a home on iOS. Renamed Zoombies: Animales de la Muerte, the game tells the story of two children who must save a Mexican zoo from being overrun by a horde of zombified animals. To do this, the kids utilize every available tool of destruction, ranging from axes to shotguns, roman candles and even the occasional dollop of guacamole. Zoombies is the most festive zombie game I've ever played, and it's also one of the most immediately entertaining.%Gallery-188503%
The Conduit developer lets loose 'Le Vamp,' an iOS endless runner
High Voltage Software, the developer of hardcore Wii FPS The Conduit, is exploring the other side of the family-friendly spectrum with Le Vamp, an endless runner starring a cartoonish vampire boy, out on the App Store for $2.Le Vamp has players manipulate the world around the main character, rather than controlling him directly, as he attempts to outrun an angry mob. High Voltage has its eyes on Andoid systems for another project, The Conduit HD, coming to Tegra-powered Androids on March 14.
The Conduit HD coming to Tegra-powered Android devices March 14
High Voltage Software recently announced a port of the single-player levels from Wii shooter The Conduit to Tegra-powered Android devices. Called The Conduit HD, the game will land on the Google Play store on March 14, offering the first two levels for free to players.The rest of the single-player campaign can be purchased for $4.99, or players have the option of buying levels three through six and seven through nine in two separate packs for $2.99 apiece. While TegraZone notes that the game will be compatible with GameStop's tablet controller, there's no mention of it supporting Nvidia's Project Shield handheld system. %Gallery-180299%
Zone of the Enders HD Collection compared to source material
New comparison videos appear to show incongruities between Zone of the Enders HD Collection and its source games, Zone of the Enders and Zone of the Enders 2: The 2nd Runner, as well as disparities between the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions of the HD collection.The most important issue, according to Enders fans that have contacted us, is that both games in ZOEHDC move more slowly than the original PS2 versions. The comparison video seen here shows that mechs, lasers and melee attacks all lack the amped-up pace of the original, as though the game were being played in slightly-slow-motion.Other concerns have been raised over framerate inconsistencies between the 360 and PS3 versions of ZOEHDC, with video comparisons supposedly showing that the 360 version runs at a higher, more consistent average framerate than its PS3 sister. Regardless, neither version consistently runs at the 60-frames-per-second figure stated by the collection's official UK website, rather the majority of the game operates between 30 and 40 FPS.Unfortunately, this isn't the first time such reports have come in regarding an HD rerelease of a Konami classic: Silent Hill HD Collection had its fair share of framerate issues, so much so that a patch was pushed for the PS3 version and Xbox 360 owners were given the option to exchange the game entirely. We've reached out to Konami for a statement and will update with any new information we receive.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]
Conduit developer teases franchise news before year's end
A representative for High Voltage Software has teased there's something in the works for Wii shooter franchise The Conduit. Answering questions on GameFAQs, Bob Chamot, a designer at the studio said, "We haven't forgotten about Conduit over here, either. I would expect some new Conduit-related news before the year is out."High Voltage Software has been working on several projects, including the Zone of the Enders: HD Collection. We've followed up with the developer to see if there's anything more it can share about the Conduit project. Whatever it is, we hope it'll be an improvement over Conduit 2.
Conduit 2 review: More like Con-don't-do-it 2
And with that headline, I exhausted and easily matched every bit of creativity that Sega and High Voltage Software put into Conduit 2, a half-rendered, poorly scripted, mysteriously voice-acted, first-person shooter for the Nintendo Wii. I'm not allowed enough space to truly get down to the essence of lackadaisical trash this game is, but dear, sweet Lord, I'm going to try. %Gallery-115300%
Conduit 2 multiplayer trailer gets political
Sure, sure, the Conduit 2 trailer does a great job of showing off the different modes included in the title's 8-person multiplayer -- but we're more intrigued by how every player is named after a US president. We just can't wait to trade shots with "Mr.Roosevelt" and "Mr.Polk."
Conduit dev High Voltage making Kinect-enabled 'licensed' game for 2K
Though it may be best known for its Wii-exclusive sci-fi shooter The Conduit, and its upcoming, The-less sequel Conduit 2, High Voltage Software makes most of its scratch putting out licensed games. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer for Wii and DS? Yup, that's High Voltage. Iron Man 2 ... for Wii and PSP? Also High Voltage. And now the Chicago-area developer is working on another licensed game due out this year -- but there's something unique about this one: it uses Kinect. "It's not announced yet," High Voltage's Eric Nofsinger told Eurogamer. "We're doing that with 2K. It's a licensed game. That's our bread and butter as a developer." Nofsinger added that this new game "works well with or without Kinect" and that, while it "works very well" with Kinect, "I don't think it's this brilliant, genius idea." As if intent on further lowering expectations for the Kinect functionality, Nofsinger said, "It works really well because it's a 360 game. I don't think it necessarily works really well because it's a Kinect game." Regardless of how tacked on the developer thinks this bit of Kinect functionality is, we'll find out more "around GDC" when the game is expected to be announced. High Voltage previously made a licensed Family Guy title for 2K in 2006 and Go, Diego, Go!: Safari Rescue, based on the Nickelodeon series, for 2K Play in 2008.
Conduit 2 channels March 22 launch, new weapons trailer
High Voltage Software's Conduit 2 will be available on March 17, 18 and 22 in Australia, the UK and North America, respectively. There's also a new trailer for the latest alien blasting pew-pew devices after the break.
Conduit 2 trailer catches us up on the going-ons of Ford
Heroes come from the most unlikely places. For example, Conduit 2 protagonist Michael Ford, in the first game, unwittingly found himself at the center of a conspiracy involving The Drudge, a seemingly alien-looking race of creatures who had it out for the human race.
Show off with Conduit 2's Limited Edition
If you're a fan of both The Conduit and displays of wealth, you'll be happy to know that if you buy Conduit 2 from GameStop, you can make both your copy and your in-game character look more opulent. The retailer is offering a limited-edition version of High Voltage's Wii FPS (for the same $50 price as the regular edition) that includes an art book. It's just the thing to show off the fact that you have a limited edition. In addition to the art book, you'll get in-game bonuses including the "Eye of Ra," a version of the All Seeing Eye that finds hidden items twice as quickly, and "Gold Destroyer Armor" for multiplayer, which is like the normal armor, but golden.%Gallery-107132%
Conduit 2 narrows launch period to Feb. 2011
Sega has announced a February 2011 release date for the Wii-exclusive sci-fi shooter, Conduit 2. The developers at High Voltage Software were apparently taking notes while fans played the game at PAX last month and will incorporate public feedback as they complete the game (which was recently pushed back to 2011). "Because of this," Sega says, "the game is extending its development a few more months in order to bring players the most complete shooter on Wii." If you were worried about not getting enough use out of PDP's Headbanger Headset, you'll be pleased to learn that Conduit 2 will support it for online multiplayer. And while you're playing, be sure to tell your friends to "pipe up." How they'll laugh and laugh and laugh ... %Gallery-105084%
Conduit 2's All Seeing Eye avoids GoldenEye, moves to 2011
November 2 was going to mark the release of not one, but two high-profile first person shooters on Wii: Conduit 2 and GoldenEye. It looks like Sega and High Voltage are taking a step back, telling Nintendojo that the Conduit sequel has been pushed back to Q1 2011. There's no specified reason for the delay, but it's likely that Q1 offered a better release window for the Wii shooter. Sega famously released Resonance of Fate one week after Final Fantasy XIII. Presumably, Sega would want a better fate for Conduit 2.
High Voltage Software lays off 25 employees [update]
A trusted source informs Joystiq that at least 20 staffers have been let go from High Voltage Software, the development studio behind The Conduit and its upcoming sequel. While the initial account cited between 20 and 30 layoffs, the final tally could be "a lot more," according to our source. We're currently working to get an official comment and further clarification from High Voltage. [Update: We've got official word from High Voltage now: 25 layoffs with no more expected.] Though The Conduit apparently performed well enough to merit a follow-up, High Voltage's most recent release, mythological fighter Tournament of Legends, failed to impress critics, netting an average score of 47 on Metacritic.
2K Play announces Nickelodeon Fit, bringing exer-fun to the children
With the recent reveal of Nickelodeon Fit, 2K Play looks to capitalize on the still-raging exergaming craze in a fairly unorthodox way. The Wii-exclusive is a youth-oriented, Balance Board-supported title that features characters from Nickelodeon cartoons, including Dora the Explorer, Go, Diego, Go!, Ni-Hao, Kai-lan and The Backyardigans. The game's young players will participate in context appropriate exercises, such as pogo-sticking with Dora (which we all know is the most efficient method for blasting your core). Scoff as you might, but we don't think this sounds like too terrible an idea. If we had access to an exercise game when we were kids featuring Rocko, Ren, Stimpy and Doug, we probably wouldn't have received a "Laughable" rating on our Presidential Physical Fitness Test.
Preview: The Grinder
It only took me a few minutes into my E3 appointment with High Voltage Software -- a company I am admittedly not too familiar with -- to understand the inspirations behind the PS3 and 360 versions of the studio's upcoming project, The Grinder. I didn't pay too much attention to the game when it was announced as a first-person shooter for the Wii. Imagine my surprise when I learned that, on the other two platforms, it's actually a current-gen iteration of one of my favorite games from the generation past -- one I spent countless nights during my high school career playing with three friends, occasionally from start to finish in a single, rapturous sitting. "You know what game this really reminds me of," I stated to the game's on-hand developers. "Hunter: The Reckoning." "Yeah," one of them replied, "we made that game." "Oh? Awesome."
Said@E3: On Babies and Grenades
Our hands-on preview of High Voltage Games' The Grinder brought about a fairly surreal statement on our part. A brief explanation: Players pick up a number of throwable secondary weapons, including your basic frag grenades, as well as weirder fare, such as baby dolls which monsters will swarm on when dropped. Of course, once we'd grabbed a number of these pickups, a completely logical question came to mind: "What's the button to switch between babies and grenades?" (A pause.) "By the way, that was the most ridiculous thing I've ever said."
Preview: Conduit 2
The High Voltage representatives showing off The Conduit 2 behind closed doors at the Sega booth were quick to admit that the first game may not have lived up to the hype. While they were incredibly proud of what they created with that game, they admitted there was plenty of room for improvement -- generic, repeating waves of enemies were just one of the frank criticisms they had for their game. The sequel would afford them opportunity to correct these shortcomings. And then we were thrust into the demo. %Gallery-95380%
