New Wii engine promises PS3/360 visuals

[Scotracer]

High Voltage Software is hoping to change the face of Wii video games, with its new Quantum3 engine, which is claimed to enable Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 visuals on the tiny Wii console.

Quantum3 is the result of 15 years development experience and enables developers to make use of advanced graphical features, including better dynamic bump mapping, light effects, glossing and other visual improvements. Additionally, Quantum3 uses a 16 TEV stage material pipeline that can blend up to 8 separate texture sources.

The engine also uses advanced processing techniques to make gameplay smoother, examples including seamless resource streaming, projected shadows, morphing and much more.

"The Wii platform is capable of a lot more than what consumers have seen so far. We're hoping to raise a new bar," said High Voltage Software CEO Kerry Ganofsky.

The first title from High Voltage to use the new Quantum3 engine is first-person shooter The Conduit. The developer is aiming to create a game that looks like an Xbox 360 and PS3 game.

Tech demo:

YouTube - The Conduit - High Voltage Quantum3 Tech Demo (Wii)

New Wii game engine promises PS3 visuals - VideoGamer.com

I'm not too sure myself but it is a definite improvement over previous Wii efforts. Bravo.

[Sir Charles]

But the Wii does not support HD am I right?

[Scotracer]

No the Wii is limited to 480p (576p for us Euros).

[Sir Charles]

So even with this new engine all the games will look log when compared to the 360 and PS3.

[Kona Palangi]

Seeing is believing (X-Files theme playing in the background)

[axeman2008]

Im still not going to buy one.

[fortunzfavor]

The key is they aren't saying which 360 game it's supposed to look like. They can't all be winners.

Either way, I say bravo too. It'd be nice to have some games where some effort was put into all aspects of it.

The Conduit doesn't have a publisher yet, and it should be tough to scrounge one up. Conventional wisdom is that you can't sell mature games on Wii unless they have Resident Evil in the title. It doesn't have to be true to be persuasive. Still, I'd like to see someone take that engine and deliver some sandbox rpgs, morrowind style.

[friedkarma]

That's like putting a new engine in a VW Beetle...sure it has more horsepower, but its still a chick car. That being said, if they can get over the hump of being gimmicky to being viable, it may be worth a look.

[Blasterpez]

that is pretty impressive to get those visuals out of the wii box. so is this engine open to any developer for the wii? be interesting what you could do if you take this technology and put it on a more powerful platform, like the 360 or ps3.

[fortunzfavor]

Originally Posted by Blasterpez

that is pretty impressive to get those visuals out of the wii box. so is this engine open to any developer for the wii?

Looks like they want to sell it to other devs, yeah.

[Sir Charles]

I'm sorry but have we all been watching the same video? I know its youtube quality but even so - to me it looks worse than God Of War 2 on PS2.

[bevo1981]

i was thinking the same thing, God of War2. though it still doesn't match the likes of COD4 and Gears, it does look like an improvement over current Wii quality.

[oli]

Meh. Average.

[axeman2008]

Looks 15 years old.

[fortunzfavor]

I think the point is to showcase particular effects, not what a game would look like. The company doing this has largely been just churning out bad licensed games and hasn't done much of their own stuff. I suspect that with some financial backing, those effects would be one part of a nice looking game.

A tech demo is a tech demo.

[fortunzfavor]

The Conduit: Getting a Publisher
Really great news. The folks at High Voltage let me know yesterday that since our posting of The Conduit preview, 10 publishers have come calling to bring the game to Wii. I have to think that sooner or later they'll sign on with someone officially and we'll see the title on retail shelves as a result.

ign

Odds still aren't great, but they're looking better.

[Kona Palangi]

Originally Posted by fortunzfavor

ign

Odds still aren't great, but they're looking better.

I think at this point, anything is better for Wii owners.

[Sir Charles]

Until the day comes when I can plug a Wii into my HDTV and play in AT LEAST 720p, it will remain as a last gen novelty version of the Gamecube.

[Blasterpez]

Originally Posted by Kona Palangi

I think at this point, anything is better for Wii owners.

that is why mario cart is coming out soon! it looks pretty sweet! i need to rush out and get 4 steering wheels now.

[bevo1981]

go now and beat the rush!!