Conduit Dev Bolsters Wii Support With Two More Action Games

After seeing increased attention thanks to upcoming Wii FPS The Conduit, Chicago-based indie developer High Voltage Software is placing more bets on Nintendo's home console with two more hardcore-oriented action games, Gladiator A.D. and The Grinder. The Grinder is a four-player online cooperative first-person shooter featuring werewolves, vampires, and other members of the undead. Speaking to IGN, High Voltage chief creative officer Eric Nofsinger pegged Valve's Left 4 Dead as an influence. "There really isn't that kind of frantic cooperative experience on the Wii right now," he said. "There's certainly nothing that takes advantage of the Wii hardware the way we are able to with our engine." The game, which uses an improved version of The Conduit's internal tech, is expected to release in the first quarter of 2010. Gladiator A.D., as its name suggests, depicts Roman gladiatorial combat and is described as a "fighting action game." It too will feature some kind of multiplayer mode, although single-player appears to be the focus. The second title is planned for release during the 2010 holiday season. Both games are currently announced only for Wii.