High Voltage: Conduit won’t suffer MadWorld sales fate

By Wesley Yin-Poole - 20/05/2009 - 2:04pm GMT

MadWorld and House of the Dead Overkill were ‘aesthetically niche boutique games’.

The Conduit, the upcoming Wii-exclusive sci-fi FPS billed as having graphics on a par with games on the Xbox 360 and PS3, won’t suffer the same fate as other Wii titles aimed at core gamers, developer High Voltage has insisted.

Speaking to VideoGamer.com, High Voltage chief creative officer Eric Nofsinger said that the game will avoid the poor sales suffered by SEGA’s MadWorld and The House of the Dead: Overkill because it’s both accessible to the mainstream and appealing to core gamers.

“This is something that gets brought up quite a lot,” he said, “but we’re not concerned at all. Those games, and you can point to a few others as well… I think they’re great games, but they’re mature games. I think there’s a nomenclature that you need to be certain on. Those games are gory and they are aesthetically niche. They’re boutique games. They’re great games and I love them, however I know that they’re not accessible and they’re not the kind of titles that are going to tap into both core and mainstream [audiences].

“When I say that we’re core, I mean that we have a level of detail and depth and customisation and variety that core gamers demand. When I say that we’re accessible and that we’re also aiming for the mainstream, that is why we specifically chose the art style we did, and the setting. The theme is very much in the mindset of going for that Hollywood blockbuster feel.

"I think we’re absolutely different beasts to those other games. I love to be in the company of those great developers and I think they did amazing work. I would never defame anything that they’ve done and I’m happy to support them with my own dollars, however I do think that we have a much better shot at financial success than they did.”

You can see how The Conduit is shaping up for yourself over at our hands-on preview. The game’s due out in Europe on June 26.

What do you think? Will The Conduit be a hit on Wii? Let us know in the comments section below.

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Posted at 14:30 on 20 May 2009
Woffls	0 0 In response to Article » Go to 's original post I really hope this game does well, otherwise that's absolutely it for 3rd party core games on Wii. It was bad enough last generation when it seemed only Capcom was supporting Gamecube with decent titles after Nintendo themselves. I've pre-ordered myself a copy, hopefully I'll be able to convince a few people to buy it, providing it's any good, of course. Report Reply

Posted at 15:02 on 20 May 2009
CheekyLee	0 0 In response to Article » Go to 's original post I'm not actually sure I want it to do well. The main attraction with the Wii is that every other game ISN'T an FPS! Despite the potential for the best FPS control system there is, I kinda like that there are games on the Wii that aren't on other consoles. Report Reply

Posted at 22:36 on 20 May 2009
Woffls	0 0 In response to Article » Go to 's original post Surely these alternative games are doing well enough already that they need not be threatened by a single FPS doing reasonably well? The obvious point as that all games should be able to live in peace and harmony :P Report Reply

Posted at 05:56 on 21 May 2009
Mr_Ninjutsu	0 0 In response to Article » Go to 's original post i remember reasing an article either on this site or another stating that only 16 wii games have made a profit and 9 of those titles were from nintendo themselves. Report Reply

Posted at 11:11 on 21 May 2009
Rogue_Soul	0 0 In response to Article » Go to 's original post I think they're selling enough to keep 3rd parties interested: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...ii_video_games It's funny, I've been considering getting Madworld+Overkill this weekend, but I've also got UFC Undisputed on my mind. Report Reply

Posted at 12:08 on 21 May 2009
CheekyLee	0 0 In response to Article » Go to 's original post It is worth pointing out, too, that No More Heroes has apparently sold 400,000 copies. Despite this, Rising Star are said to be absolutely delighted with the success. Which would suggest that 1 million sales is in no way a pre-requisite for a game to be profitable. You really should get MadWorld, Rogue. If any game on the Wii NEEDS to make some sales, it's that one. Plus, you will not be dissapointed.Last edited on Thu 21 May 2009 by CheekyLee Report Reply