Killman
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The Conduit: Why We Think it Might Not Sell WellOne of the more exciting game to come next year for the Wii is ‘High Voltage’s‘ first person shooter ‘The Conduit.’ Since it debut right before E3 many people were enthusiastic about the game’s unique control scheme, online multiplayer and good graphics. And let’s face it, the Wii and a game with good graphics does not come around very often.
One of the biggest questions since the game was announced, was which company would be publishing it. After a few month contemplating, High Voltage has finally confirmed Sega will publish ‘The Conduit.’
Sega of America President Simon Jeffery explains why they decided on the move:
| Quote: | | “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…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.” |
While I think The Conduit is certainly one of the more exciting games to come out for the Wii. I’m just not sold on the idea a hardcore game is able to sell well outside the casual market. I understand that sometimes I come across as a ‘Wii Hater,’ but I want to reassure you that I’m not. In-fact, I believe the system includes some of the best games to come out for this generation.
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However, a game like The Conduit probably won’t sell well — not matter how good it is. Most people who have bought the Nintendo Wii are looking for the casual/simple game — that’s why the hardware sold so well. The motion controls made it simple for the user to pick up and play. Take Wii-Play for example, which received terrible reviews but it sold incredibly well. And guess what, people actually enjoyed playing it. And their reason for their enjoyment — it was simple. So, a game like The Conduit might turn off a bunch casual gamers, but not because it’s bad. But because its ‘too deep.’ Even Nintendo shares this opinion — they’ve proved it at this past E3 when most games announced, were not geared towards their hardcore base.
On top of that, while gameplay is indeed important, first-person-shooters are generally rated high when the visuals look great. One of the main factors for graphics to be an essential part for this particular genre is because a FPS needs to be immersive. The player is playing through the eyes of the main character, if the environment doesn’t feel and act like a real world, it destroys the whole purpose. While The Conduit certainly looks good for the Wii, it doesn’t compare to games like Call of Duty or Killzone 2.
We don’t want to take anything away from High Voltage — what they have done for an underpowered system is astonishing. But we wonder, what would the game look like if it was on an Xbox 360 and/or PS3. I’m the end, hopefully I’m wrong because the developers deserve it to do well.
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