Cambridge-based startup Conduit Labs is developing LoudCrowd, a rhythm-based dancing title that's "part virtual world, part social network and part casual game," according to a report from VC news weblog VentureBeat.

The company, which is currently in stealth mode, announced in August 2007 that it secured $5.5. million in Series A funding, led by Charles River Ventures and Prism Ventureworks, for its mystery project. Conduit Labs apparently purchased the LoudCrowd.com domain in March 2008 for $39,000.

In the alpha version of LoudCrowd, users begin by creating an avatar and providing a photo to help other users identify them. Players can dance with each other using DanceDanceRevolution-styled controls, tapping arrow keys with on-screen cues. Points are awarded by attracting dance partners, which can then be spent on new clothes for avatars.

Describing the project to Worlds in Motion last August, Conduit Labs founder Nabeel Hyatt remarked, "We're trying to do something halfway in between that’s accessible on the web, that feels more like a website than having to enter into a game world, but it is still about social entertainment and playing games; it's very much a game that were building."