The Publisher for High Voltage Software's The Conduit may have been unwittingly revealed to be none other than the one-time rival to the house that Mario built; Sega.
On a list of future games to come from Sega, including MadWorld, Sonic and the Black Knight and Infinite Space, there is a folder for The Conduit, currently empty whilst all of the others have been updated with recent trailer and Screenshot releases.
It was previously speculated from developer comments that Nintendo themselves would publish the anticipated First Person Shooter, but now it looks to be Sega who will continue their excellent Wii support. Sega have yet to confirm if they are indeed the publisher.
Thanks to the folks at Neogaf.
Update: In related news, it looks like the game will feature a huge marketing campaign to ensure it receives decent public attention:
You know, our publishing partner is really driving the PR and Marketing. Together with Eric and I - we’re going to help from High Voltage’s side, really make an effective campaign; to make sure that from hardcore, to even steering in some of the casual gamers; showing that we have a product that appeals to the masses. That’s something that’s really important, because I think that this product is something that Nintendo Wii fans have been looking for, and we’re happy to provide that.
Update 2
Sega have now confirmed that they are indeed the publisher for The Conduit, with a press release issued today.
SEGA GETS ZAPPED BY HIGH VOLTAGE WITH THE CONDUIT
SAN FRANCISCO & LONDON (October 29, 2008) – SEGA® of America, Inc. and SEGA® of Europe Ltd. today announced a worldwide partnership with High Voltage Software to publish and distribute the Wii™ home video game system-exclusive title, The Conduit. The first-person shooter garnered multiple awards at E3 2008, including Best Wii Game by GameTrailers and three awards from IGN: Best Shooting Game (Wii), Best Graphics Technology (Wii) and Best Overall Wii Game. The Conduit is a stunning, futuristic title powered by a new game engine technology that delivers remarkable visuals and effects, as well as a rich interactive experience that is unlike any other title on the Wii.“The Conduit is one of the most talked-about Wii games this year and High Voltage Software has only scratched the surface of the game in terms of what they have shown so far,” says Simon Jeffery, President of SEGA of America, Inc. “They have proven that graphical and technological innovation can be exciting to the Wii market, and SEGA is thrilled to partner with a team that truly shares our belief in the Wii’s gaming potential beyond the casual market.”
“High Voltage Software's partnership with SEGA to publish The Conduit represents an important milestone for this studio,” said Kerry Ganofsky, CEO and founder of High Voltage Software, Inc. “SEGA shares our vision for the title and its tremendous potential, which is why we chose them from a long list of potential partners. With their support, we are confident that The Conduit will deliver the definitive shooter experience that Wii fans have been waiting for.”
The Conduit takes players into a dark story in Washington D.C. after a vicious alien invasion has rocked the country. An organization called the Trust has sent in Secret Service agent, Mr. Ford, to go up against the insect-like alien race known as “The Drudge.” Armed with an array of futuristic weaponry and an intelligence-gathering device simply called the “All-Seeing Eye,” players follow an intricate storyline filled with conspiracy, shady government activity and terrifying aliens.
The Conduit’s detailed control system allows players to customize and configure look sensitivity, turning speed, the dead zone and much more. As players delve further into the mystery behind the extraterrestrial invasion, shocking details reveal that the invasion may have been brought on with help from the government itself.
Powered by High Voltage Software’s groundbreaking Quantum 3 engine, The Conduit ensures that players will experience single and multiplayer gameplay with graphical fidelity never seen before on the Wii. The Conduit will also support the recently announced Wii Speak peripheral, allowing online multiplayer gamers the ability to chat as they destroy aliens in each terrifying level. Additionally, the game will take advantage of the Wii MotionPlus for optimal control.
The Conduit, exclusively for the Wii, is slated to ship in spring 2009. For more information on the game, please visit www.conduitgame.com
www.conduitgame.com. For screenshots and art, please visit the SEGA FTP site at http://segapr.segaamerica.com.About SEGA of America Inc.:
SEGA® of America, Inc. is the American arm of Tokyo, Japan-based SEGA Corporation, a worldwide leader in interactive entertainment both inside and outside the home. The company develops, publishes and distributes interactive entertainment software products for a variety of hardware platforms including PC, wireless devices, and those manufactured by Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. SEGA of America’s Web site is located at www.sega.com.About SEGA Europe Ltd.:
SEGA® Europe Ltd. is the European Distribution arm of Tokyo, Japan-based SEGA Corporation, and a worldwide leader in interactive entertainment both inside and outside the home. The company develops and distributes interactive entertainment software products for a variety of hardware platforms including PC, wireless devices, and those manufactured by Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony Computer Entertainment Europe. SEGA Europe’s web site is located at www.sega-europe.com.About High Voltage Software, Inc.
High Voltage Software, Inc. is an award-winning studio that has been developing games and simulations for over 15 years. Located in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, it now employs over 140 staff members. The independent company has successfully produced a wide variety of license-based video game titles that include competitive racing, professional sports, horror, motion picture adaptations, and military simulations, and is now making its foray into original and innovative intellectual properties. More information about High Voltage Software and its products can be found at www.high-voltage.com.
Thanks to C3 reader jsdvs9172 for the tip.