The-Conduit
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The Conduit to use Wii Speak, new trailer sizzles with 'conspiracy'
It's been a while since we've seen anything out of High Voltage's little-shooter-that-could, The Conduit -- a problem that was expediently rectified on last night's episode of GameTrailers TV. In addition to the revelation that the game won't support Wii MotionPlus but will allow users to chat via Wii Speak, the latest trailer for the shooter, titled "Conspiracy," was aired.In addition to showing a sizable chunk of gameplay, the trailer (which we've posted after the jump) gives further hints regarding the game's plot. Here's what we've pieced together: There's a conspiracy (Aliens? Illuminati? Grassy Knoll?), which appears to be causing protagonist Michael Ford to have a very bad day. Don your tinfoil hat, crank up the Alex Jones, and check out the trailer after the break.
The Conduit coming June 9th, Animales de la Muerte no longer WiiWare
Talking to Nintendo World Report, High Voltage's Eric Nofsinger officially dated the now officially not-terrible The Conduit. The hyped FPS is scheduled for release in North America on June 9. Unfortunately, the company confirmed that the game will not include local multiplayer. However, that news may be overshadowed (for us, at least) by the mere mention of High Voltage's other game.Normally, with a game as scarcely covered as Animales de la Muerte, we'd say something like "Hey, remember Animales de la Muerte?" when news about it finally pops up. But of course we all remember Animales de la Muerte. There is no way anyone could have forgotten a game about a Mexican zoo full of zombie animals. And now we have some news to report about the game that is, more than anything else, the reason we're looking forward to The Conduit (when it's out, High Voltage can put more resources into this!).Animales isn't dead! It remains undead, of course, but High Voltage is actually planning on releasing it -- on a disc! High Voltage scrapped plans to deliver the game via WiiWare when it became apparent that it wouldn't fit in the 40mb limit set for WiiWare games, due to its "focus on comedy and its accompanying large quantity of audio".%Gallery-28238%[Via WiiWare World]
NYCC 09: The Conduit revisited; hands on a 'new' game
The Conduit is a story of hype because it is a story of hope. Not the interactive story (that might be about hope, too), but the story of the game's development. We won't rehash the dramatic rise to relevance of High Voltage Software's labor of love, but we certainly thought about it as we played a section of the game at New York Comic Con this weekend. The Conduit has a publisher -- finally -- in Sega, but it is still cherished for its grass roots origin. Technically, this was very much the same game we previewed back in October, but we couldn't help but notice the change taking place as we blasted through an alien invasion inside Sega's Comic Con booth.The Conduit has made it -- acquired by a major third-party publisher. Its chapter as indie orphan is over. Now, on the verge of release, it competes with any other title that reaches store shelves. We may want to hold onto the sentiment of victory (the little guy making it to the big show), but the game has changed. We must consider The Conduit from a different perspective. In fact, dual perspectives: How does The Conduit rate as a Wii game; and how does it rate as a contemporary first-person shooter? %Gallery-33787%
The Conduit: Then vs. now
High Voltage Software's The Conduit has an interesting backstory. It popped up out of nowhere back in April, giving hope of filling that unfilled void of mature first-person shooters for Wii, and remained without a publisher for about six months until Sega finally picked it up. Of course, what really sparked interest was the impressive, dare we say, not Wii-like visuals. The folks at Gametrailers have a video comparing an early and pre-rendered build to the game's current state. It's a fun -- if not too short -- before-and-after look at the FPS. See it for yourself after the break. The Conduit is expected to hit retail sometime this Spring.%Gallery-33787%
New Conduit videos take us behind the scenes
Some really interesting videos for The Conduit have popped up over at IGN. Above, we have a developer commentary video, which talks about everything from enemy AI to the adaptive music system used in the game. As if that weren't enough, the other video, available past the break, shows how far the game has come in development. Amazing to see the game's roots and where it stands now as one of the prettiest titles we've ever laid eyes on. Head past the break and check it out.%Gallery-25003%
Upcoming game ditching Friend Codes?
We imagine going against Nintendo is a bit like going against the mob. Don't talk out against Friend Codes and you won't find your house burned down. You know, that kind of thing. And, if the latest IGN Nintendo Voice Chat Podcast is to be believed, a "major" upcoming game will be doing away with Nintendo's antiquated system.So, which game is it? Well, speculation first moved to The Conduit, but Joystiq confirmed with inside sources that it would indeed utilize Friend Codes. Which upcoming online-compatible major game could it be? Well, we're not sure, so toss us your guesses. [Via Joystiq]
Try out Sega's Wii line-up early
If you're in the New York area between February 6 - 8, we are now officially jealous of you, for something other than the fact that you live in New York. Sega USA's blog informs us that House of the Dead: Overkill, Sonic and the Black Knight, MadWorld, and The Conduit will all be playable at the 2009 New York Comic-Con, which in our opinion makes the $30 fee for a Friday or Sunday ticket (or even the $40 for a Saturday pass) totally palatable. Alternatively, if you fancy being the jerk who hogs the Wii booths for a full three days, you can pony up $50 for the entire event.%Gallery-22964%[Via IGN]
Rumor: 'Major' online Wii game ditching Friend Codes
Slipped in among the various topics covered in IGN's latest Nintendo Voice Chat podcast was an interesting little rumor: a "major online title" coming to Wii in 2009 won't require Friend Codes. How? Evidently the developer simply realized it could pull it off -- and, like most gamers, doesn't care for the restrictive system.Speculation as to what game IGN was referencing (which, according to the site, has already been announced) quickly brought up The Conduit, the upcoming FPS from High Voltage Software and Sega. Joystiq has confirmed via a source familiar with the title's development that it does, in fact, utilize the Friend Code system, and isn't the game in question. So, what is it then? Let the speculation commence. [Via N-Europe]
X-Play's The Conduit footage, without having to watch G4 [update]
[Update: YouTube has pulled the video.]If you don't spend your whole day watching G4TV -- perhaps because you don't like watching reruns of Heroes with big chat windows covering half the screen -- you probably missed X-Play's exclusive preview of The Conduit. Luckily, some dude with a YouTube account did not! The segment features a bit of introduction to the story (something about government secret agent), as well as Sega's Josh Morton extolling, and demonstrating, the first-person shooter's Wii controls.Most important, though, is the fact that X-Play's segment is composed almost entirely of gameplay footage, which is vaguely ironic. Why is it that most game trailers do their best to avoid long shots of actual in-game footage, and yet a non-publisher-produced TV show is loaded with it?%Gallery-25003%[Via Nintendo Everything]
Wii Warm Up: What's your next big game on the horizon?
It's no secret that 2009 is going to be full of awesome game experiences for us Wii owners. What we were wondering, though, is what the next big game on the horizon is for yourself? Are you pumped for titles due for release in Q1, such as MadWorld, Dead Rising, and The Conduit? Or, are you looking forward to something due a bit later, like Sin & Punishment 2 or Punch-Out!!?
Sega bringing the big guns to New York Comic Con
Click for more screens. Do you live in the New York area? Want to play The Conduit, MadWorld, and The House of the Dead: Overkill before they release? Well, you might want to head to the New York Comic Con, because Sega is bringing them to the show next year.The New York Comic Con takes place February 6-8 at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City. Aside from the AAA titles, Sega also promises "zombie surprises," whatever that is. Disgusting, zombified limbs as souvenirs? We can only hope so.%Gallery-25003%[Via Joystiq]
Sega bringing MadWorld, The Conduit to New York Comic Con
Those looking to attend next year's New York Comic Con have more to look forward to than hygiene experiments and booth babes: Sega has confirmed that it will bring demos of MadWorld, The Conduit and The House of the Dead: Overkill to the event, which takes place February 6-8 at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City. Special "zombie surprises" are also promised, so come prepared.Sega hasn't revealed if any or all of these titles will be playable or merely shown off to those who happen to stroll by its booth. Not that it matters, as you'll likely go blind well before the show after meticulously gluing down individual scales in the name of Aquaman cosplay.
Wii Warm Up: Top title for 2009?
So, yesterday we had some talk about 2009 and how there are plenty of great games releasing on the Wii. What we want to know this morning is what is the top 2009 title for you? What are you looking forward to most next year? We know it's a lot to ask, what with everything that is due to release.Is it The Conduit? Is it MadWorld? Sin & Punishment 2? Well, out with it!
Nintendo confident core will be satisfied in 2009
Well, we would think, given that there are a bunch of really unique and fun-looking games coming down the pipe next year. MadWorld, Sin & Punishment 2, The Conduit, and Punch-Out!! are just a few of the games that the core are likely excited for. "I think that next year you're going to see the tide turn a little bit, in terms of people realizing that the Wii can have something of interest for everybody," said Cammie Dunaway in a MTV Multiplayer interview. "So, yeah, I think next year is going to be a pretty good year in terms of the breadth of offerings that are going to be out there for a bunch of folks."The full interview with Cammie hasn't been published yet, but we'll let you know when it does. Frankly, we're interested in hearing more from her on these games, because, well, we're as excited for them as you are![Via CVG]
Wii Warm Up: Wii Plan to Speak
The WiiSpeak microphone is ten bucks cheaper when purchased with Animal Crossing: City Folk. Obviously, it works with Animal Crossing, but it will also work with The Conduit, with the new version of the Opera browser, and on its own via the Wii Speak Channel. Of course, more compatible games will follow. We hope.It occurs to us that even people who like Animal Crossing, but don't necessarily care about catching up with their friends while fishing or shaking trees may have interest in the WiiSpeak mic for other stuff. Are you in that group? Did you pick up the Animal Crossing WiiSpeak bundle with no intention of using the two items together?%Gallery-27704%
High Voltage working on other Wii projects, promises announcements soon
During a rather lengthy interview from their concluded Halloween wrap-up party, Eric Nofsinger from High Voltage took a chance to do what he does best: talk about the Wii and The Conduit. High Voltage is one of the most talked about developers in the Wii community, because The Conduit looks to be what everything else on the console isn't: a game for hardcore gamers. But, enough about The Conduit. Would the company work on more Wii titles or, even better, have some currently in development that we don't know about (aside from their upcoming WiiWare game, of course)? When asked about creating an RPG, Nofsinger said that was "another area that can use a shot in the arm" and that we should all keep our eyes peeled "in the near future" as High Voltage will announce some other games the company already has "in development." One of which, we've all seen by now. But, does he mean retail games? Does it mean it's an RPG? Whatever it is, we want to see it! "We feel that there are a number of genres that are poorly represented on the Wii for core gamers," he said. "We want to do games that are high quality. You know, that's what we are. I think it's a shame for what is our personal favorite system to be so underrepresented when it comes to core gamers." Amen, brother. Amen.[Via Go Nintendo]
Rumor: Conduit listed for May release at Gamestop
If the latest Gamestop listing for The Conduit is correct, we may have to spend next summer with our drapes drawn and a ready supply of Cheetos to hand, all to take down the evil Drudge (and you). It's not like you need to see daylight or feel the warm sun on your skin, right?May 19th is the new release date displayed on the retailer's page, and while High Voltage or Sega are yet to comment on this, it is a couple of months out from High Voltage's original target of March.%Gallery-25003%[Via Go Nintendo]
Wii Warm Up: Can Sega 'duit?'
It seems like it was only a few days before the announcement of The Conduit's publisher that we were talking possibilities. Oh! Probably because we were in fact doing that very thing. Sega came up only one, and it wasn't a positive, hopeful mention, either. How do you feel about it now? Can Sega promote The Conduit appropriately? Will their name push it into the forefront of the industry? And is Sega, with their upcoming titles, setting themselves up to be one of the biggest parts of your Wii library, or no?
The Conduit finds publishing partner in Sega
After spending months in the public eye without a publisher – including two very public presentations with Nintendo, and one embarassing gaffe that appeared to put the game under the Nintendo banner – High Voltage Software's The Conduit has finally found a happy home at Sega (as rumored). Of course, Sega's got another high-profile "core" game for the Wii in MadWorld so today's announcement represents a strategic addition; what Sega of America prez Simon Jeffrey calls its "belief in the Wii's gaming potential beyond the casual market." With an estimated Spring 2009 release date, there's not much we don't already know about The Conduit; however, the press release does confirm support for the Wii Speak peripheral in online multiplayer games as well as Wii MotionPlus support for "optimal control." Or maybe there is more. Jeffrey says High Voltage "has only scratched the surface of the game in terms of what they have shown so far." Our guess: smell-o-vision. %Gallery-33787%
It's official: Sega to publish The Conduit [update]
Update: Oh, and look, the announcement comes with new screens! Check them out in the gallery below.Turns out the rumor was true! Sega will in fact be publishing The Conduit, due to release on the Wii during spring of 2009. As one of the most highly-anticipated titles for the Wii, this is obviously a smart move for Sega. That is, if the game turns out to be good and, uh, sells a lot.So ... should we expect a Hogan's Alley-like minigame where we're tasked with shooting Big the Cat?%Gallery-25003%Source - Marketwatch linkSource - Sega.com link[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]
