Hoping to prove that the Wii can handle hardcore shooters as well, independent developer High Voltage Software today announced The Conduit, a first-person shooter that is poised to provide “some of the best visuals seen on the Wii,” according to the company. It is set for release in Q1 2009.

“Too many Wii owners have been told that the Wii is a casual platform with no room for serious games or top-tier graphics,” said Eric Nofsinger, Chief Creative Officer at High Voltage Software. “With The Conduit, we intend to prove that theory wrong by providing gamers with the kind of title they imagined back when the platform was first announced.”

The game will be powered by their proprietary Quantum 3 Game Engine technology that offers advanced graphical features as well as multiplayer options. The Conduit’s control scheme is being built up from the ground for the console specifically, letting gamers use the motion sensitive to take down enemies and solve puzzles with ease.

“Conduit was especially designed for the Nintendo Wii” states Matt Corso, Creative Director at High Voltage Software. “From the weapons to armory and graphics, we tailored everything to the Wii which sets this game play apart from anything else on the market right now.”

No publisher is yet attached to the project.