Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Awakened returns with a new design strategy and funding goal: You]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/04/awakened-returns-with-a-new-design-strategy-and-funding-goal-yo/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/04/awakened-returns-with-a-new-design-strategy-and-funding-goal-yo/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/04/awakened-returns-with-a-new-design-strategy-and-funding-goal-yo/#comments Awakened returns with a new design strategy and funding goal YouIn November 2010, Phosphor Games was quietly shopping around a project called Awakened, a super-hero action title heavy on character customization and creative chaos. As part of its publisher pitch, Phosphor made a demo video for Awakened; it was rough and never meant for public consumption. It showed a city on the brink of man-made annihilation, tanks patrolling streets littered with blood, bodies and fire, and a cast of seemingly ordinary people with supernatural abilities: invisibility, force push, mind control, electric shock, on-demand armor, stealth, accuracy, a tornado.

In January 2011, the video leaked.

"We didn't actually intend it to go out," Phosphor Games director Chip Sineni looks back on the day the video broke on YouTube. "We were kind of embarrassed because it was very rough and there was a lot of stuff that just wasn't ready to show to the public. We were really surprised by how many people were supportive of it."

The video, rough as Sineni thought it was, resonated with the gaming audience in a big way. Publishers loved it, too - just not enough to pick up the project. Awakened fell to the back of Phosphor's priorities and out of the gaming industry's eye as the company focused on developing smaller, lucrative games, such as Horn and Dark Meadow for iOS. However, in the few years since Awakened burst into public consciousness, video game funding has evolved, and Phosphor may not need publisher approval to get the game off the ground. All it needs now is something it believes it has already proven - community interest - and somewhere to channel that support.

Awakened has turned to Kickstarter.

Continue reading Awakened returns with a new design strategy and funding goal: You

JoystiqAwakened returns with a new design strategy and funding goal: You originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 04 Feb 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>awakenedherokickstarterMidwaypcphosphorphosphor-gamesproject-awakenedMon, 04 Feb 2013 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Midway VFX lead footage shines the light on planned Stranglehold sequel]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/24/midway-vfx-lead-footage-shines-the-light-on-planned-stranglehold/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/24/midway-vfx-lead-footage-shines-the-light-on-planned-stranglehold/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/24/midway-vfx-lead-footage-shines-the-light-on-planned-stranglehold/#comments
Before Midway went under in 2009, the studio had already started to pursue a sequel to Stranglehold, itself a sequel to John Woo's 1992 seminal action flick, Hard Boiled. Stranglehold starred Chow Yun-fat, reprising his role as Inspector "Tequila" Yuen who dove around Hong Kong and shot bad guys in slow motion. That's how they police over there, you guys.

It turns out Midway had big plans for a sequel to Stranglehold, what VFX lead Sean Lantis says was being "fully rebranded" to appeal to a wider audience than the first game. Lantis says he was in charge of "all visual effects as well as a good portion of the destruction work." What was to be called Gun Runner never made it to production and was still in the early stages when Midway filed for Chapter 11 in 2009, evidenced by the footage in the video above.

JoystiqMidway VFX lead footage shines the light on planned Stranglehold sequel originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 24 Oct 2012 16:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chow-yun-fatgun-runnerjohn-woomidwaymidway-gamesstrangleholdWed, 24 Oct 2012 16:45:00 EST<![CDATA['Midway Arcade Origins' puts classic coin-ops on Xbox and PS3]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/19/midway-arcade-origins-puts-classic-coin-ops-on-xbox-and-ps3/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/19/midway-arcade-origins-puts-classic-coin-ops-on-xbox-and-ps3/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/19/midway-arcade-origins-puts-classic-coin-ops-on-xbox-and-ps3/#comments
Warner Bros. Interactive is bundling its archive of Midway arcade games once again, for sale on PS3 and Xbox 360. Midway Arcade Origins is a collection of "more than 30 classic, genre-defining Midway titles from the golden age of arcades," including Gauntlet, Joust, Spy Hunter, Marble Madness, Defender, and Rampage. There's no online multiplayer, but there are new Achievements, Trophies, and leaderboards.

The Backbone-developed collection will be available this November for $30. That's less than $1 a game! Or, as far as we're concerned, it's $30 for Marble Madness's music, with a bunch of free games included.

Continue reading 'Midway Arcade Origins' puts classic coin-ops on Xbox and PS3

Joystiq'Midway Arcade Origins' puts classic coin-ops on Xbox and PS3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 19 Sep 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Backbone-Entertainmentmicrosoftmidwaymidway-arcade-originsWarner-Bros-InteractivexboxWed, 19 Sep 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Stiq Figures, May 14 - 20: He's heating up edition]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/27/stiq-figures-may-14-20-hes-heating-up-edition/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/27/stiq-figures-may-14-20-hes-heating-up-edition/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/27/stiq-figures-may-14-20-hes-heating-up-edition/#comments Welcome to Stiq Figures, where the sales data is after the break and the posts don't matter. Every week, we take a look at, uh, something - meanwhile, the previous week's Japanese hardware sales figures are posted after the jump, and a discussion of said figures takes place in our comments. It may not be conventional, but it's a time-honored Joystiq tradition.
Image
There aren't many sports games like NBA Jam. Back when Michael Jordan was the king of the court, the 1993 Midway arcade classic was known for its tight controls, secret characters, zany dunks, and outrageous catch-phrases by announcer Tim Kitzrow. While Jordan wasn't in the game (he reached his own licensing agreement with the NBA in 1992, and Midway was unable to secure a deal with him), it was Scottie Pippen that brought his excellent three-point shots to the court alongside Chicago Bulls teammate Horace Grant.

That is, Pippen's usually excellent three-point ability. NBA Jam creator Mark Turmell admitted in a 2008 interview with ESPN: The Gamer that Pippen's tendency to win close games was tuned down in certain circumstances. Specifically, when any Bulls player attempts a glorious last-second shot against Turmell's favorite team, the Detroit Pistons, a special piece of code in the game would average the shots out to be bricks.

Turmell said, "There was the big competition back in the day between the Pistons and the Bulls, and since I was always a big Pistons fan, that was my opportunity to level the playing field." This is one case where any close loss against a friend can be reasonably blamed on the game.

Continue reading Stiq Figures, May 14 - 20: He's heating up edition

JoystiqStiq Figures, May 14 - 20: He's heating up edition originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 27 May 2012 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>horace-grantJapaneseHardwareSalesmark-turmellmichael-jordanMidwaynba-jamscottie-pippenstiqfiguresSun, 27 May 2012 23:30:00 EST<![CDATA[New Line Cinema looking to turn Rampage into a movie]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/19/new-line-cinema-looking-to-turn-rampage-into-a-movie/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/19/new-line-cinema-looking-to-turn-rampage-into-a-movie/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/19/new-line-cinema-looking-to-turn-rampage-into-a-movie/#comments We can hardly think of a more gripping, dramatic story than people transformed into gigantic lizards, apes and wolves, who go about destroying skyscrapers, so we're happy to report that New Line has optioned Rampage for the silver screen. Just imagine it: a gigantic ape, palming a frightened blonde, descends a massive skyscraper -- oh, right, that already happened. Imagine a lizard then! Or a wolf!

The Hollywood Reporter says John Rickard, who helped produce a plethora of New Line Cinema films, is currently shopping around for a writer to come up with a script. Frankly, there isn't a better ending we can come up with for this post than a person will be paid to write a Rampage movie.

JoystiqNew Line Cinema looking to turn Rampage into a movie originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 19 Nov 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>midwaynew-line-cinemarampagewarner-brosSat, 19 Nov 2011 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Mortal Kombat sells 'close to' 3 million worldwide, has paid for itself]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/13/mortal-kombat-sells-close-to-3-million-worldwide-has-paid-for/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/13/mortal-kombat-sells-close-to-3-million-worldwide-has-paid-for/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/13/mortal-kombat-sells-close-to-3-million-worldwide-has-paid-for/#comments When Midway bit the bullet and liquidated all of its assets during the first half of last year, the future of one of gaming's most ubiquitous and legendary franchises, Mortal Kombat, was completely up in the air. People didn't know whether or not MK's new baby-daddy at Warner Bros. Interactive would continue the series' proud tradition of increasingly ludicrous violence, or if it would continue the stagnating series period.

Fast-forward a bit, and thankfully it seems to have worked out for history's favorite murderers, with Warner's first entry in the franchise garnering critical acclaim and millions of dollars. According to WB Interactive President Martin Tremblay, Mortal Kombat has already paid for all of the assets acquired from Midway by selling "close to" 3 million units worldwide.

To put that number in perspective, as of June 30, 2011 Super Street Fighter 4 has sold 1.6 million units, and Marvel vs. Capcom 3 has sold 2 million, both of which have been on the market for a significantly longer amount of time. Considering the sorry state of affairs that Mortal Kombat was left in as little as two years ago, we can't help but be a little surprised by the modern-day, gore-soaked Cinderella story this saga has become.

JoystiqMortal Kombat sells 'close to' 3 million worldwide, has paid for itself originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 13 Aug 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftmidwaymortal-kombatmortal-kombat-2011Netherrealm-Studiosplaystationps3warner+brotherswarner-brosWarner-Bros-InteractiveWarner-Bros-Interactive-EntertainmentxboxSat, 13 Aug 2011 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Mortal Kombat secret character tryouts may disturb you]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/12/mortal-kombat-secret-character-tryouts-may-disturb-you/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/12/mortal-kombat-secret-character-tryouts-may-disturb-you/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/12/mortal-kombat-secret-character-tryouts-may-disturb-you/#comments The Machinima clip posted after the jump is, in many ways, deplorable. It shows some of our most beloved game characters of all time brutally fatality-ing a number of Mortal Kombat fighters, and we're finding it difficult to shake. On the other hand, we've gotta have that NBA Jam cameo. We need it.

Continue reading Mortal Kombat secret character tryouts may disturb you

JoystiqMortal Kombat secret character tryouts may disturb you originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 12 Apr 2011 01:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>machinimamidwaymortal-kombatnba-jamparodyTue, 12 Apr 2011 01:38:00 EST<![CDATA['Hero' looks like it could have been Midway's 'inFamous']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/11/hero-looks-like-it-could-have-been-midways-infamous/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/11/hero-looks-like-it-could-have-been-midways-infamous/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/11/hero-looks-like-it-could-have-been-midways-infamous/#comments Last week we got a tiny, one-image glimpse of Midway Chicago's game-that-could-have-been, Hero. Now we get a better picture of what the title might have looked like, thanks to the portfolio of Tae Young Choi, a concept artist at Midway who worked alongside Stephan Martiniere, the former staffer responsible for the release of last week's image.

There are also some small tidbits regarding the game's design to be gleaned from Choi's site, including that there were going to be multiple (presumably playable) characters, each possessing unique super powers. From Choi's descriptions of his drawings, we know that the katana-wielding hero (seen above, fighting an enemy on the wing of Air Force One) could "jump really high," and that at least three other heroes were planned: one that could control water; one that could generate a force field; and a "dumb strong" character with a tail.

Choi also hints at one possible cause for the mass destruction visible in the gameworld: an out-of-control laser beam coming from a satellite that's "cutting everything." Unfortunately, the game itself was cut before we ever got a chance to see it in action. Visit Choi's site to peep some additional concept art.

Joystiq'Hero' looks like it could have been Midway's 'inFamous' originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 11 Jan 2011 18:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artcanceledconcept-artheromidwaymidway-chicagotae-young-choiTue, 11 Jan 2011 18:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Canceled 'Day to Night' Midway game unearthed in concept art]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/04/canceled-day-to-night-midway-game-unearthed-in-concept-art/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/04/canceled-day-to-night-midway-game-unearthed-in-concept-art/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/04/canceled-day-to-night-midway-game-unearthed-in-concept-art/#comments Former Midway background artist Brian Beppu was at one point drawing up concepts for a PlayStation 2-era game named Day to Night. As the title suggests, Day to Night looks like it was going to be some type of zombie game -- as seen in the concept panels above, a hobbled humanoid approaches a gentleman who appears to be a cowboy in snowy woods. A handful of environments are also on display, varying from a cheap roadside motel to a graveyard overtaken by jungle brush.

Given the fact that this art is now nearly a decade old, Day to Night likely lost its shot at becoming a finished product before Midway's less than successful final years. Little else is known about the title, in fact, so feel free to shoot us a tip if you know more.

Gallery: Day to Night

JoystiqCanceled 'Day to Night' Midway game unearthed in concept art originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 04 Jan 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brian-beppucanceledcancellationcancelledconceptconcept-artday-to-nightmidwayTue, 04 Jan 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Artwork surfaces from canned Midway game, 'Hero']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/03/artwork-surfaces-from-canned-midway-game-hero/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/03/artwork-surfaces-from-canned-midway-game-hero/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/03/artwork-surfaces-from-canned-midway-game-hero/#comments Concept illustrator Stephan Martiniere worked at Midway Chicago until August of 2008. Some time before he left the company to work at id Software, he inked concept art for a game titled "Hero," spotted by Siliconera on Mr. Martiniere's website. Midway, as you likely know, went bust over the last few years, with some titles being picked up by other publishers and some games in-development being put on permahold.

Only one image of Hero is in the portfolio, but it indicates possible characters Hero might've explored -- an adult figure holds a sword in one hand and a child's hand in the other, while an ethereal being floats above both figures in a ruined Chicago (as indicated by the Chicago Transit Authority sign). That sounds an awful lot like the plot of Lone Wolf and Cub to us (minus the whole Chicago thing), so we're clearly sad to hear it never came to be.

Gallery: Hero

[Image credit: Stephan Martiniere]

JoystiqArtwork surfaces from canned Midway game, 'Hero' originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 03 Jan 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cancelledconceptconcept-artheroid-softwaremidwaymidway-chicagostephan-martiniereMon, 03 Jan 2011 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: This is canceled: This is Vegas]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/24/rumor-this-is-canceled-this-is-vegas/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/24/rumor-this-is-canceled-this-is-vegas/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/24/rumor-this-is-canceled-this-is-vegas/#comments CVG reports it has a "cast iron source" claiming This is Vegas has finally been buried out in the desert somewhere. The title was under development at Surreal Software for Midway before the publisher folded. The property was then scooped up by Warner Bros. Interactive, but apparently met its (inevitable) conclusion when the developer was quietly shut down in June.

The site's source estimates Midway spent around $43 million on the project before it was sold to WB, elaborating, "The title was on the schedule for release late last year - but still needed another eight months to a year to finish with a studio burn rate of $250,000 per month." We've contacted WBIE for confirmation that This is Vegas really has played its last card and busted out.

Gallery: This is Vegas

JoystiqRumor: This is canceled: This is Vegas originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 24 Aug 2010 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftMidwaypcplaystationps3Surreal-Softwarethis-is-vegasWBIExboxTue, 24 Aug 2010 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Review: Hydro Thunder Hurricane]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/26/review-hydro-thunder-hurricane/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/26/review-hydro-thunder-hurricane/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/26/review-hydro-thunder-hurricane/#comments Remember Yaris for Xbox Live Arcade? No? Good. It was undeniably the low point for downloadable racing games on Xbox 360. Finally XBLA gets something to wash the taste from your mouth for good: Hydro Thunder Hurricane. Upstart developer Vector Unit didn't actually start out making a Hydro Thunder title, but Microsoft liked what it saw, licensed the rights to HT and made the (what's turned out to be excellent) decision to resurrect the franchise.

For the uninitiated, Hydro Thunder was an arcade game from the late nineties that drew in crowds with its transforming, jet-powered speedboats and courses that felt inspired by amusement park thrill rides. Hydro Thunder Hurricane doesn't deviate from that blueprint, and while gaming hardware has changed, fun hasn't -- and Vector Unit was clearly keeping that at the forefront in designing Hurricane.

Gallery: Hydro Thunder Hurricane (XBLA)

Continue reading Review: Hydro Thunder Hurricane

JoystiqReview: Hydro Thunder Hurricane originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 26 Jul 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Hydro-Thunderhydro-thunder-hurricanemicrosoftMicrosoft-Game-StudiosMidwayRacingVector-UnitWarner-Bros-InteractivexboxMon, 26 Jul 2010 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Midway creditors accept $1 million payout]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/30/midway-creditors-accept-1-million-payout/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/30/midway-creditors-accept-1-million-payout/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/30/midway-creditors-accept-1-million-payout/#comments To settle the outstanding claims against former owner Sumner Redstone, Bloomberg is reporting that the creditors' committee of the defunct publisher Midway Games has agreed to a $1 million cash lump sum payout.

It was previously reported that prior to the lump sum agreement, unsecured creditors of the parent company would only be able to recover 16.5 percent of what had been owed, while unsecured creditors of subsidiaries would only be eligible to 25 percent. After reportedly liquidating its Chapter 11 plan last week, the new cash agreement represents a more financially beneficial deal for all parties involved.

Midway's death spiral comes to a finale following a tawdry love affair with conspiracy-fueled headlines, including legal battles and multiple companies picking away properties from the company like vultures at a fresh corpse. The bankruptcy court will rule on the settlement agreement on June 23.

[Via GI.biz]

JoystiqMidway creditors accept $1 million payout originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 30 May 2010 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>businesschapter-11legalmidwaysumner-redstoneSun, 30 May 2010 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Midway liquidation plan approved by court]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/23/midway-liquidation-plan-approved-by-court/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/23/midway-liquidation-plan-approved-by-court/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/23/midway-liquidation-plan-approved-by-court/#comments The last shreds of the former developer known as Midway will soon be dissolved into the ether, as a Delaware court has agreed to the terms of the company's plan to repay a portion of its debts. Businessweek reports that after liquidating all its assets, Midway will distribute about $25.5 million to unsecured noteholders, which is about 16.5 percent of what those noteholders are owed. Unsecured creditors will get $9.2 million, which is around one-quarter of what Midway owes them.

So, now that all of its assets either belong to Warner Bros. or are being hocked to repay lenders, we think we've probably seen the last of the once great Midway empire. Unless one of you guys feels like giving them like, $600 million. C'mon, there's gotta be at least one obscenely rich, completely obsessed Mortal Kombat fan out there.

[Via Kotaku]

JoystiqMidway liquidation plan approved by court originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 23 May 2010 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bankruptcybusinessclosurecourtindustrylegalliquidationmidwaySun, 23 May 2010 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Game Informer rates the best and worst Mortal Kombat fatalities]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/04/game-informer-rates-the-best-and-worst-mortal-kombat-fatailities/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/04/game-informer-rates-the-best-and-worst-mortal-kombat-fatailities/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/04/game-informer-rates-the-best-and-worst-mortal-kombat-fatailities/#comments After roughly 28 years in production and 43 separate iterations, it's inevitable that the Mortal Kombat series would have picked a few bad eggs in the Fatalities department. Game Informer has taken it upon itself to dig through the archives and uncover the best and very worst that the series has to offer.

Now, lest there be any confusion, we're not talking about Babalities or pap like that. We're talking terrible finishers like Bo Rai Cho's penchant for blasting his enemies with a venomous murder fart. Yeah, it's adorable.

Oh, and at one point, Smoke blows up the whole planet, killing every man, woman and child on it. ... Yeah, we're not sure if that's a good or bad one either.

JoystiqGame Informer rates the best and worst Mortal Kombat fatalities originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 04 May 2010 00:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ed-boonfatalitiesgame-informermidwaymortal-kombatTue, 04 May 2010 00:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Hydro Thunder Hurricane racing to XBLA this Summer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/26/hydro-thunder-hurricane-racing-to-xbla-this-summer/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/26/hydro-thunder-hurricane-racing-to-xbla-this-summer/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/26/hydro-thunder-hurricane-racing-to-xbla-this-summer/#comments It's scientific fact that racing games are roughly 200 percent more exciting when the genre's standard asphalt surfaces are replaced with good ol' H20. One of the clearest examples of this was Midway's classic arcade racer Hydro Thunder -- a franchise that's been dormant for over a decade. However, Microsoft Game Studios and developer Vector Unit today announced that they'll soon blow the proverbial dust off the series this summer with Hydro Thunder Hurricane, an Xbox Live Arcade-exclusive sequel to the arcade classic.

Hydro Thunder Hurricane will include a number of multiplayer-oriented game modes, eight super hazardous race tracks and several returning speedboats from the series' original iteration. There's support for four-player local matches, eight-player online matches and a co-operative "Rubber Ducky" mode, which just sounds so intense.

Vector Unit is showcasing the title at PAX East. We'll let you know how it handles.

JoystiqHydro Thunder Hurricane racing to XBLA this Summer originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 26 Mar 2010 15:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>drivinghydro-thunderhydro-thunder-hurricaneMicrosoftmicrosoft-game-studiosmidwaypax-east-2010racingspeedboatvector-unitxblaXbox-360Fri, 26 Mar 2010 15:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Spy Hunter movie getting a second chance from WB]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/25/spy-hunter-movie-getting-a-second-chance-from-wb/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/25/spy-hunter-movie-getting-a-second-chance-from-wb/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/25/spy-hunter-movie-getting-a-second-chance-from-wb/#commentsSpy Hunter Striking while the iron is ... absolutely frozen, Warner Bros. may be looking to restart the Spy Hunter movie project, following its acquisition of the IP from Midway. According to Variety, WB has hired screenwriter Chad St. John, who is also writing an adaptation of DC Comics' Sgt. Rock, to write the script.

The last Spy Hunter movie, intended to star The Rock, fizzled out when director Paul W.S. Anderson removed himself from the project after discovering that the script -- adapted from a game about a car that shoots at other cars -- was of poor quality. Had it actually been made, it would have been an appropriate tie-in with the 2006 game Spy Hunter: Nowhere to Run, also starring The Rock. No stars have been named for this version of the movie yet.

[Via MTV Multiplayer]






JoystiqSpy Hunter movie getting a second chance from WB originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 25 Mar 2010 10:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>midwaymoviesSpy-HunterSpy-Hunter-movieWarner-BrosWBThu, 25 Mar 2010 10:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumored third Mortal Kombat movie hits legal snag]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/19/rumored-third-mortal-kombat-movie-hits-legal-snag/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/19/rumored-third-mortal-kombat-movie-hits-legal-snag/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/19/rumored-third-mortal-kombat-movie-hits-legal-snag/#comments Just when our hopes for a third Mortal Kombat film were at their highest, a new legal battle has to come and crush them into the dirt. According to The Wrap, the new film -- a recently rumored reboot from Warner Bros -- has run into legal troubles. It seems that Threshold Entertainment has taken Warner Bros to court, claiming that it had a licensing agreement with Midway before the company was acquired by Warner Bros. Threshold, which worked with Midway on the first two Mortal Kombat films, claims the two companies extended their agreement in 2006 to make a third film, and states further that this agreement was upheld by a bankruptcy court after Midway's acquisition.

Now, the company is suing Warner Bros. on the grounds that it "failed to work with Threshold in the development and production of the third 'Mortal Kombat' film." Potential damages are to be specified later. Whatever the damages may be, it's hard to imagine they could be any more damaging than releasing a third Mortal Kombat film.

[Via GamePro]

JoystiqRumored third Mortal Kombat movie hits legal snag originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 19 Feb 2010 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fightinglawsuitlegalmidwaymortal-kombatmoviesthreshold-entertainmentwarner-brosFri, 19 Feb 2010 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Midway's XBLA classics removed from Marketplace]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/17/midway-xbla-classics-removed-from-xbox-marketplace/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/17/midway-xbla-classics-removed-from-xbox-marketplace/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/17/midway-xbla-classics-removed-from-xbox-marketplace/#comments Several classic Midway games have been removed from Xbox Live Arcade, including Cyberball 2072, Defender, Gauntlet, Joust, Paperboy, Robotron 2084, Rootbeer Tapper, Smash TV and Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3. The titles have been pulled due to "publisher evolving rights and permissions," according to a Major Nelson tweet, but will remain playable and can be re-downloaded by users that previously purchased any of the games. While Major Nelson didn't expressly say so, it would appear that the disappearing titles are the result of Warner Bros.' acquisition of Midway last year. Warner Bros. now owns at least some of the trademarks involved in the removal from XBLA.

You're not alone in suspecting that some of the affected titles were pulled in anticipation of Microsoft's upcoming Game Room (where different versions of the same games could presumably be made available for purchase). After all, the simply emulated Game Room games don't stack up well against their more fully-featured XBLA counterparts. However, Major Nelson has quashed that theory, tweeting, "No, it's not Game room related."

This is not the first time that XBLA content has been pulled because of changing publisher relationships. Lost Cities was removed from XBLA last year after licensing rights were lost in the Activision-Vivendi merger.

JoystiqMidway's XBLA classics removed from Marketplace originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 17 Feb 2010 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cyberballcyberball-2072defendergauntletjoustMicrosoftmidwaypaperboyrobotron-2084rootbeer-tappersmash-tvultimate-mortal-kombat-3warner-brosxblaxblmXbox-360Wed, 17 Feb 2010 14:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: Warner Bros. working on Mortal Kombat film reboot]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/27/rumor-warner-bros-working-on-mortal-kombat-film-reboot/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/27/rumor-warner-bros-working-on-mortal-kombat-film-reboot/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/27/rumor-warner-bros-working-on-mortal-kombat-film-reboot/#comments According to horror film news site Bloody Disgusting, anonymous sources have revealed that Warner Bros. Pictures is currently looking to reboot its recently purchased, long dormant Mortal Kombat film franchise. "But Joystiq," you might be asking, "why has the Mortal Kombat film franchise been long dormant?" Our dear, naive readers: This is why the Mortal Kombat film franchise has been long dormant. If you've got friends at the WB, you should consider forwarding them that little slice of cinematic history.

Bloody Disgusting reports that Oren Uziel, a new screenwriter who penned a yet-to-be-produced murder mystery titled Shimmer Lake, is being considered to write the film. Now, we've never met Uziel, but we hope he heeds our advice: Take the job. We guarantee it will be the easiest writing gig you'll ever have.

JoystiqRumor: Warner Bros. working on Mortal Kombat film reboot originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 27 Jan 2010 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bloody-disgustingfilmmidwaymortal-kombatmovieoren-uzielrumortoo-bad-you-WILL-DIEwarner-brosWed, 27 Jan 2010 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Big Download awards 2009's vaporware]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/23/big-download-awards-2009s-vaporware/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/23/big-download-awards-2009s-vaporware/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/23/big-download-awards-2009s-vaporware/#comments In response to Wired's own 2009 vaporware awards, our pals at BigDownload have complied their own list of software and hardware that woulda, coulda and shoulda seen the light of day this year. Topping the list is the streaming service OnLive, which was slated to release in "winter 2009," following a healthy dose of beta testing. While reception for the service has been mostly positive, OnLive's claims have yet to be tested on a global stage (during E3 2009, OnLive was previewed for select media via a cable modem connection to the service's California-based headquarters).

Other nods go to Gearbox Software's oft-delayed -- we'll believe it when we see it -- Aliens: Colonial Marines, Obsidian's "oh, by the way, it's not coming out today" Alpha Protocol, and Midway's This Is Canceled Vegas. Sadly, Duke Nukem Forever failed to win an award for what would have been a record twelfth-straight year.

JoystiqBig Download awards 2009's vaporware originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 23 Dec 2009 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aliens-colonial-marinesalpha-protocolgearboxgearbox-softwaremidwayobsidianobsidian-entertainmentonliveRearden-Studiossegathis-is-vegasvaporwarevaporware-awardsWed, 23 Dec 2009 23:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Tradewest continues ex-Midway Europe exec hirings]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/17/tradewest-continues-ex-midway-europe-exec-hirings/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/17/tradewest-continues-ex-midway-europe-exec-hirings/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/17/tradewest-continues-ex-midway-europe-exec-hirings/#comments Having worked with Nick Howard in the past at Midway Europe where he acted as head of sales, Tradewest Games head Martin Spiess recently added Howard to the growing roster of ex-Midway Europe employees now employed by his newly formed outfit. "Nick has been a key contributor to our business over the years and we are confident that his appointment will accelerate Tradewest's growth strategy," Spiess told MCV.

Howard will act as managing director for the nascent company, specifically looking over UK sales and marketing. We've still yet to hear what Tradewest Games is up to in terms of, well, games, but hopefully this new hire is bringing the company closer to revealing some details.

JoystiqTradewest continues ex-Midway Europe exec hirings originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>businesseuropeexecutivesmartin-spiessmcvmidwaymidway-europenick-howardtradewesttradewest-gamesukTue, 17 Nov 2009 01:00:00 EST<![CDATA[SouthPeak earnings report reveals acquisition of ... something involving TNA Impact]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/13/southpeak-earnings-report-reveals-acquisition-of-something-i/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/13/southpeak-earnings-report-reveals-acquisition-of-something-i/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/13/southpeak-earnings-report-reveals-acquisition-of-something-i/#comments
Remember way back in August when THQ picked up around 40 percent of Midway San Diego (following that whole full collapse thing), but left off the TNA Impact property? It would appear that the reason for this exclusion was due to SouthPeak Games snatching up the license, as revealed by a recent Q1 2010 financial report released by the company.

The "acquisition" is first noted in the report's "Highlights of the Quarter" section. "Acquired in bankruptcy certain assets owned by Midway relating to video games based on the TNA iMPACT wrestling brand." We asked SouthPeak who would be in charge of developing the next game in that series, said in the report to be released "this year" (2010), and found out that such information has yet to be announced, unfortunately. Currently, SouthPeak is only known to be publishing TNA Impact: Cross the Line for the PSP and Nintendo DS.

When we explored the SEC filing from Midway on the sale, the wording got much more ambiguous. One notable exclusion from the $100k purchase is, "the TNA License and Sellers' rights thereunder." When we asked SouthPeak to clear up exactly what the company bought, we were told that, while it "can confirm the details of the release and filing," no comment is currently available - though we were assured that we'll be hearing more details "soon."

JoystiqSouthPeak earnings report reveals acquisition of ... something involving TNA Impact originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 13 Nov 2009 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acquisitionbusinesscross-the-linefinancial-reportmidwaymidway-gamessecsouthpeaksouthpeak-gamestnatna-impacttna-impact-cross-the-linetna-wrestlingwrestlingFri, 13 Nov 2009 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Smash TV creator talks potential sequel]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/09/smash-tv-creator-talks-potential-sequel/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/09/smash-tv-creator-talks-potential-sequel/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/09/smash-tv-creator-talks-potential-sequel/#comments Speaking to RetroGaming, Mark Turmell, co-creator of Smash TV, revealed that a sequel to the game might be forthcoming. According to Turmell, design for a sequel began some time ago, with the developers opting for a 3D game that maintained the top-down viewpoint of the original. Programming for the game had actually begun, but further progress was halted thanks to the Midway meltdown earlier this year.

Turmell noted that Warner Bros. obtained the rights to Smash TV in its acquisition of Midway, adding that the company has "already identified that there's interest in some of that old Midway IP." When asked whether we'd still see a Smash TV sequel, Turmel said, "I'm sure you'll see a Smash TV that will rise again." Turmell admitted he wouldn't take part in such a project, saying, "It's a shame that I won't be involved with it this time around."

[Via 1UP]

JoystiqSmash TV creator talks potential sequel originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 09 Nov 2009 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>mark-turmellmidwaysmash-tvMon, 09 Nov 2009 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Midway execs found not guilty in conspiracy suit]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/27/midway-execs-found-innocent-in-conspiracy-suit/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/27/midway-execs-found-innocent-in-conspiracy-suit/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/27/midway-execs-found-innocent-in-conspiracy-suit/#comments You know how this works: You're a shareholder in a major company -- let's say a major video game publisher like ... Midway Games -- and while the suits assure you that, despite lagging sales and a lousy portfolio, everything's going to be "OK!"

Things started looking dodgy when CEO David Zucker abandoned ship in March of 2008. "Everything okay in there?" you ask. "Yup, everything's fine," Midway responded, while installing Matt Booty into the position. Then chairwoman Shari Redstone, daughter of owner Sumner Redstone, resigned in November 2008. "Alright, this sounds really bad!" you cried. "Seriously, don't worry. It's fine," Midway responded (they'd put Booty in that position in January of the following year). And then, in December, Sumner Redstone sold his shares in the now clearly troubled publisher for the bargain basement price of $100,000 to mysterious investor Mark Thomas ... and then, the layoffs began.

So now you, and the rest of the shareholders in NYSE: MWY want to hold the executives who kept you in the dark accountable. According to Develop, after months of hearing allegations, District Court judge David H. Coar found five Midway executives - including former CEO David Zucker and CFO Thomas Powell - "innocent of conspiracy to deceive the public about the health of the fallen company." The reason? The shareholders had not "adequately alleged the direct liability" of the execs.

Okay, so it wasn't a "conspiracy" (or whatever other fancy law school words the "law" requires) but we understand your pain. Now, have we told you about the opportunities at Joystiq Publishing ...

JoystiqMidway execs found not guilty in conspiracy suit originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 11:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>David-ZuckerJames-BoyleMidwayMidway-GamesMiguel-IribarrenSteven-AllisonThomas-PowellTue, 27 Oct 2009 11:22:00 EST<![CDATA[Ex-Midway guy named VP of sales for Sega]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/01/ex-midway-guy-named-vp-of-sales-for-sega/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/01/ex-midway-guy-named-vp-of-sales-for-sega/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/01/ex-midway-guy-named-vp-of-sales-for-sega/#comments Sega of America enthusiastically announced today the hiring of Brad Wildes as senior vice president of sales at the publisher. According to the company's press release, Wildes brings 15 years of "successful management experience" to the job. Skills he acquired at Microsoft, Mattel, Konami and, most recently, Midway Home Entertainment.

Yes, Wildes' most recent gig was as VP of sales for North America and Asia at Midway, where he -- according to Sega, once again -- "successfully managed such titles as Mortal Kombat; Game Party; the Unreal franchise and NBA Ballers."

Midway is dead, friends, due in large part to low sales numbers for major franchises. Our definition of "successful" is obviously slightly different from that of Sega of America's.

JoystiqEx-Midway guy named VP of sales for Sega originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 01 Oct 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brad-wildesbusinessmidwaysegaThu, 01 Oct 2009 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[From the ashes of Midway Newcastle, Atomhawk Design rises]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/03/from-the-ashes-of-midway-newcastle-atomhawk-design-rises/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/03/from-the-ashes-of-midway-newcastle-atomhawk-design-rises/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/03/from-the-ashes-of-midway-newcastle-atomhawk-design-rises/#comments
One of our favorite things about the game industry (not the game business, mind you) is its unflappable resilience. Take, for instance, the story of Midway Newcastle. Even after the staff got a 60-day warning of the studio's imminent closure and was shut down preemptively, some members of the team were able to band together and form a new company, Atomhawk Design.

Billing itself as "a leading creative visualization and digital art production company," Atomhawk plans on creating digital art for not just video games, but also "film and online." We're not sure how much of the ex-Midway Newcastle folks made the jump to the new company, but we've asked Atomhawk for comment.

JoystiqFrom the ashes of Midway Newcastle, Atomhawk Design rises originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 03 Sep 2009 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atomhawkatomhawk-designgame-industrymidwaymidway-newcastlenecessary-forcesteven-pickThu, 03 Sep 2009 14:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Tradewest Games hints at upcoming IP lineup reveal]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/26/tradewest-games-hints-at-upcoming-ip-lineup-reveal/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/26/tradewest-games-hints-at-upcoming-ip-lineup-reveal/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/26/tradewest-games-hints-at-upcoming-ip-lineup-reveal/#comments

Martin Spiess has been busy the past few months, between raising €1 to buy Midway UK and France and resurrecting the long gone Tradewest Games moniker. The ex-Midway exec's acquisition of the two company branches went light on the details in the SEC filing, leaving us with a handful of questions for the recently re-branded company.

We contacted Tradewest to find out exactly what the acquisition means for the future of the company, in terms of assets gained. "We`ve got a portfolio of [our] own IPs and will announce highlights from our line-up over the next weeks," a representative told Joystiq. And what does it mean when the filing says Mr. Spiess has acquired the UK and France offices, specifically? "This includes all of the companies assets ... that also means that Tradewest has direct access to two of Europe´s biggest markets for games products." Unfortunately, the rep couldn't tell us much more at the moment.

And yes, we're still keeping our fingers crossed for Battletoads.

JoystiqTradewest Games hints at upcoming IP lineup reveal originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 26 Aug 2009 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battletoadsbusinesslegalmartin-spiessmidwaymidway-europemidway-francemidway-uktradewesttradewest-gamesWed, 26 Aug 2009 01:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Midway Europe buyout complete, renamed Tradewest Games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/21/midway-europe-buyout-complete-renamed-tradewest-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/21/midway-europe-buyout-complete-renamed-tradewest-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/21/midway-europe-buyout-complete-renamed-tradewest-games/#comments GamesIndustry.biz reports that the acquisition of Midway's English and French offices, by Martin Spiess, and the German office, by Uwe Fürstenberg and Hans Meyer, for a single Euro combined has been finalized.

On the way more exciting side of this news, however, is the announcement that the UK and France offices will be re-branded as Tradewest Games, resurrecting the name from its rather dusty tomb. According to Spiess, Tradewest will become "a European full service provider in the fields of game distribution and publishing," a transition made possible by "a well-experienced European team behind [TG] that has proven its expertise and know-how in the past years by bringing to market some of the biggest games projects in the world."

Interesting that you note that, Mr. Spiess, as none of the games released in "the past years" have been Battletoads. What of that, then? We've contacted Tradewest to find out exactly what this will mean for those classic IPs, among other things, and will update this post if we hear more.

JoystiqMidway Europe buyout complete, renamed Tradewest Games originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 21 Aug 2009 19:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battletoadsbusinesseuropegamesindustry.bizhans-meyermartin-spiessmidwaymidway-europemidway-gamestradewesttradewest-gamesuwe-furstenbergFri, 21 Aug 2009 19:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Midway UK and France offices bought for 1 euro (combined)]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/12/midway-uk-and-france-offices-bought-for-1-euro-combined/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/12/midway-uk-and-france-offices-bought-for-1-euro-combined/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/12/midway-uk-and-france-offices-bought-for-1-euro-combined/#comments
In a move that leaves us scratching our heads, ex-Midway Europe managing director Martin Spiess has purchased the Midway UK and France executive offices for a combined amount of one euro. According to the SEC filing, Mr. Spiess formed Spiess Media Holding UG to purchase the companies, in what MCV UK calls a "management buyout." Additionally, Midway Germany's general manager, Uwe Fürstenberg, has purchased the German branch for an undisclosed amount.

The kicker on all of these business dealings? In buying the UK and France offices, Spiess has tied his company to "a payment of approximately One Million Seven Hundred Thousand Dollars ($1,700,000) from [Midway Games Limited] to [Midway USA]" at the "closing of transactions." Spiess has 90 days to turn around the Midway-branded stock. Good luck, Mr. Spiess! From what we've seen of Midway over the past six months, you're going to need it.

[Via MCV UK]

JoystiqMidway UK and France offices bought for 1 euro (combined) originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 12 Aug 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>businessmartin-spiessmcvukmidwaymidway-europemidway-francemidway-germanymidway-uksecuwe-furstenbergWed, 12 Aug 2009 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Silver lining: THQ acquires 40 percent of Midway San Diego employees, maybe more]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/09/silver-lining-thq-acquires-40-percent-of-midway-san-diego-emplo/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/09/silver-lining-thq-acquires-40-percent-of-midway-san-diego-emplo/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/09/silver-lining-thq-acquires-40-percent-of-midway-san-diego-emplo/#comments
You've been reading an awful lot about Midway business minutiae over the last six months, so we won't bore you with too many unexciting details about THQ buying Midway's San Diego studio for $200k last week. The most important thing for you to know is that out of 100 employees, 40 have been offered jobs by THQ, and more positions may be opening, the Chicago Tribune reports.

According to the SEC filing, the TNA iMPACT! license wasn't part of the deal, a strange omission considering THQ publishes UFC games. The deal is all but finalized, awaiting Midway's bankruptcy court's approval and an agreement between THQ and Warner Bros. over the sharing of certain undisclosed IPs (the terms of which have already been settled). Considering the sad tale surrounding the shuttering of Midway Newcastle, we're glad to finally be writing something somewhat positive in the wake of Midway's collapse.

[Via Kotaku]

JoystiqSilver lining: THQ acquires 40 percent of Midway San Diego employees, maybe more originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 09 Aug 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>businesschicago-tribunekotakumidwaymidway-newcastlemidway-san-diegosecsecurities-and-exchange-commissionthqtna-impactufcufc-unleashedSun, 09 Aug 2009 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Warner Bros. trademark transfer of Midway begins]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/06/warner-bros-trademark-transfer-of-midway-begins/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/06/warner-bros-trademark-transfer-of-midway-begins/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/06/warner-bros-trademark-transfer-of-midway-begins/#comments According to recently filed trademarks, the transfer of Midway's various game licenses to Warner Bros. Interactive has begun. Supererogatory spotted the first group of games that have been approved by the US Patent and Trademark Office -- including Robotron 2084, Defender, Joust and Wheelman, among others -- and asserted that the rest have yet to go through.

With the possible re-branding of the ex-Midway Mortal Kombat team to WB Games Chicago and dissolution of Midway's executive ranks a few weeks ago, it appears as though the dismantling of Midway Games as it once was is nearly complete. We'll always have NBA Jam, right Midway?

JoystiqWarner Bros. trademark transfer of Midway begins originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 06 Aug 2009 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>defenderjoustmidwaymidway-gamesnba-jamrobotron-2084warner-broswarner-bros-interactivewarner-bros-interactive-entertainmentwb-gamesWBIEwheelmanThu, 06 Aug 2009 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Ex-Midway Newcastle dev spills the beans on the studio's closure]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/04/ex-midway-newcastle-dev-spills-the-beans-on-the-studios-closure/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/04/ex-midway-newcastle-dev-spills-the-beans-on-the-studios-closure/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/04/ex-midway-newcastle-dev-spills-the-beans-on-the-studios-closure/#comments
GUI artist Steven Pick has detailed on his blog the last five or so months of working at Wheelman developer Midway Newcastle (with heartbreaking detail, might we add). In doing so he reveals the various happenings at the developer while things at Midway HQ were falling apart. "The company was still operating as normal, but the Chapter 11 thing was like a silent dread-spectre hovering over all of us," Pick says of the February bankruptcy filings.

And as for Necessary Force, the IP from Midway Newcastle that was revealed not too long ago? "We got to a point where the game could be pitched - at the same time, we had a 60 day notice through from the London office," Pick says. Unfortunately, the pitches fell through and the game disappeared -- aside from a handful of Edge Magazine writers who saw it, that is.Though he notes that a group of employees were picked up prior to the studio's closure by Crackdown 2 dev Ruffian Games, the remaining employees in Newcastle were caught off guard by a surprise early studio closure -- a surprise that brought with it the news that they wouldn't be receiving their final paychecks.

In all honesty, it would be impossible to do Mr. Pick's entire story justice in a concise blog post, so do yourself a favor and give the whole thing a read at his site.

[Via GamesIndustry.biz]

JoystiqEx-Midway Newcastle dev spills the beans on the studio's closure originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 04 Aug 2009 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>businesscrackdown-2edge-magazinegamesindustry.bizmidwaymidway-newcastlenecessary-forceruffian-gamessteven-pickTue, 04 Aug 2009 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Warner Bros. highlights Mortal Kombat, Spy Hunter IPs in Midway acquisition]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/04/warner-bros-highlights-mortal-kombat-spy-hunter-ips-in-midway/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/04/warner-bros-highlights-mortal-kombat-spy-hunter-ips-in-midway/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/04/warner-bros-highlights-mortal-kombat-spy-hunter-ips-in-midway/#comments
After snatching up Midway and dumping some of its execs, Warner Bros. looks like it's finally starting to get somewhere with its acquisition. There's a new guy heading up what is now WB Games Chicago and, according to Develop, Warner Bros. has confirmed that Mortal Kombat and Spy Hunter are now part of its forthcoming plans.

Acquiring these Midway properties gives Warner Bros. opportunities not only for new games (or re-releases of old ones), but also projects "adapted for film or TV, leveraged for consumer products, or licensed to third parties." While we wouldn't mind seeing someone take a stab at a new Mortal Kombat game, we desperately hope Warner Bros. doesn't go for a new movie. The world does not deserve any more of this.

JoystiqWarner Bros. highlights Mortal Kombat, Spy Hunter IPs in Midway acquisition originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 04 Aug 2009 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>midwaymortal-kombatspy-hunterwarner-broswb-games-chicagoTue, 04 Aug 2009 08:30:00 EST<![CDATA[This is still alive: This is Vegas]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/03/this-is-still-alive-this-is-vegas/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/03/this-is-still-alive-this-is-vegas/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/03/this-is-still-alive-this-is-vegas/#comments
Wow, Warner Bros. finally acknowledged that This is Vegas still has a pulse. Speaking with G4tv.com, the publisher, which acquired the rights to the game during its acquisition of Midway, stated that the Sin City adventure had not been canceled and is still in production. Although there are no further details, Surreal Software has not been stripped of development duties.

We really haven't heard anything about This is Vegas since 2008, which is when it was originally supposed to release. We're following up with Warner Bros. now to see if the publisher would like to make a new release window -- we're guessing 2009 isn't in the cards.

Gallery: This is Vegas

JoystiqThis is still alive: This is Vegas originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 03 Aug 2009 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>midwaythis-is-vegaswbieMon, 03 Aug 2009 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Warner Bros. promotes exec following Midway acquisition]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/01/warner-bros-promotes-exec-following-midway-acquisition/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/01/warner-bros-promotes-exec-following-midway-acquisition/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/01/warner-bros-promotes-exec-following-midway-acquisition/#commentsWarner Bros. executive Jeff Junge has a laundry list of valuable gaming credentials on his resume. From recently leading the acquisition of a failing Midway Games to an early investment in dark magic engine OnLive, and even spearheading the purchase of TT Games a couple of years back, Junge is no stranger to the game industry. And all that would help to explain why, late this week, Warner Bros. announced the promotion of Junge to senior VP of business management for Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group. The Home Entertainment Group includes, among many other things, the company's gaming division.

According to the release issued by WB, Junge will continue to "drive mergers and acquisitions" for the company. We've been told on good faith that neither "mergers" nor "acquisitions" are any type of automobile. How do you plan on driving them then, Mr. Junge? Hmmm?

[Via Edge]

JoystiqWarner Bros. promotes exec following Midway acquisition originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 01 Aug 2009 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>businessedgejeff-jungemidwayonlivett-gameswarner-broswarner-bros-interactivewarner-bros-interactive-entertainmentSat, 01 Aug 2009 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA['New THQ' hires old Midway exec to head Darksiders marketing]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/28/new-thq-hires-old-midway-exec-to-head-darksiders-marketing/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/28/new-thq-hires-old-midway-exec-to-head-darksiders-marketing/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/28/new-thq-hires-old-midway-exec-to-head-darksiders-marketing/#comments
THQ has hired, as MCV puts it, "popular Midway exec Mark Cook" as marketing manager for UK and Europe. Cook will head the marketing campaign for Darksiders, which will cover seven months and form part of the company's new strategy to get the word out about its games earlier.

The "new THQ" has been on a roll recently with hits like UFC: Undisputed and Red Faction: Guerrilla. With a January 2010 release planned, Darksiders has plenty of time to build hype -- and believers.

Joystiq'New THQ' hires old Midway exec to head Darksiders marketing originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 28 Jul 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>businessdarksidersmark-cookmidwaythqTue, 28 Jul 2009 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Mortal Kombat team sheds Midway skin for 'WB Games Chicago']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/27/mortal-kombat-team-sheds-midway-skin-for-wb-games-chicago/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/27/mortal-kombat-team-sheds-midway-skin-for-wb-games-chicago/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/27/mortal-kombat-team-sheds-midway-skin-for-wb-games-chicago/#comments
Picked up by Warner Bros. in the auctioning off of Midway Games' assets, the development studio behind the Mortal Kombat franchise has seemingly been re-branded by its new corporate overlords. Superannuation spotted the info in the LinkedIn profile of Connie Gabelein, a human resources employee currently with Warner Bros. and formerly with Midway (and apparently never part of the management that was recently let go from the failed publisher). Ms. Gabelein lists her position as a "recruiter/HR generalist for the WB Game family of studios, which includes Monolith Productions, Surreal Software, Snowblind Studios and WB Games Chicago."

Furthermore, former Midway CTO/now "head of WB Games Chicago" Michael Weilbacher's LinkedIn profile seems to corroborate our suspicions. We've contacted Warner Bros. and Midway for comment and will update this post with more information as we get it.

Source 1 - Superannuation
Source 2 - LinkedIn Profile of Connie Gabelein
Source 3 - LinkedIn Profile of Michael Weilbacher

JoystiqMortal Kombat team sheds Midway skin for 'WB Games Chicago' originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 27 Jul 2009 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>businessconnie-gabeleinlegallinkedinMichael-Weilbachermidwaymidway-gamesmortal-kombatrebrandingsuperannuationwarner-broswarner-bros-interactive-entertainmentwb-games-chicagowbieMon, 27 Jul 2009 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Midway execs get the boot, entire Chicago dev team acquired by WB]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/17/midway-execs-get-the-boot-entire-chicago-dev-team-acquired-by-w/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/17/midway-execs-get-the-boot-entire-chicago-dev-team-acquired-by-w/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/17/midway-execs-get-the-boot-entire-chicago-dev-team-acquired-by-w/#comments
After recently giving its San Diego and Newcastle studios the required 60 day warning that their offices are to be closed, Midway announced yesterday that its corporate headquarters in Chicago is shutting down. According to a recent US Securities and Exchange Commission filing by Midway, the closing affects all 60 employees currently working at the offices -- including CEO Matt Booty -- representing "approximately 20% of the company's global workforce."

Interestingly, though Warner Bros. purchased a $33 million-sized chunk of the company last month, the report states that WB paid out more to the tune of $49 million "including the assumption of certain liabilities" -- presumably some of the debt owed to creditor. A Midway rep told the Chicago Tribune that, while the executive offices have been closed and everyone let go, all 100 employees at the company's Chicago development studio have been offered jobs by WB. Oh, right, we almost forgot -- yes, the Midway San Diego offices (and its TNA wrestling license) are still up for sale -- at least for another 45 days or so.

Source 1 - Kotaku
Source 2 - Chicago Tribune
Source 3 - US Securities and Exchange Commission
[Image]

JoystiqMidway execs get the boot, entire Chicago dev team acquired by WB originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 17 Jul 2009 09:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>businesschicagocorporatelayoffsmatt-bootymidwayFri, 17 Jul 2009 09:08:00 EST<![CDATA[Midway Newcastle drains the moat, shuts down]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/14/midway-newcastle-drains-the-moat-shuts-down/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/14/midway-newcastle-drains-the-moat-shuts-down/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/14/midway-newcastle-drains-the-moat-shuts-down/#comments
Try as it might, Midway Newcastle (Wheelman, Necessary Force) has apparently closed down, thanks to Midway's corporate incompetence and a lack of interest by new overlords at Warner Bros. Develop reports that the studio received the news this morning from Midway CEO Matt Booty -- an "insolvency team" was there to close the studio as soon as possible.

That leaves the fate of Midway San Diego still hanging in the balance. Hopefully the 70 or so folks from Newcastle can find jobs soon. We hear that Realtime Worlds is hiring like crazy, and perhaps the team at Ruffian could use some help on Crackdown 2?

JoystiqMidway Newcastle drains the moat, shuts down originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 14 Jul 2009 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>businesslayoffsmidwaymidway-newcastlemidway-san-diegoshut-downwarner-broswarner-bros-interactivewbieTue, 14 Jul 2009 10:15:00 EST