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Added by Jeff Gerstmann on July 2, 2009

    
If Warner's first move is to do a Sinistar sequel, then this will all have been worth it.
If Warner's first move is to do a Sinistar sequel, then this will all have been worth it.
The Chicago Tribune is reporting that the objections standing in the way of the $33 million sale of Midway assets to Warner Bros. have been resolved, and a judge has approved the sale.

The objections came from companies like Tigon Studios, the Vin Diesel-founded company that's partially responsible for Wheelman. Another objection came from Threshold Entertainment, the company that produced the Mortal Kombat movies, TV shows, and other MK-related properties. The Threshold objection was especially crazy, as it asserted that the company had created the bulk of the Mortal Kombat series' fiction, going so far as to mention that having things like pallette-swapped ninjas meant that the game story was flat or non-existent or something. Do not get me started on the the deep history of strife between Sub-Zero and Scorpion. Back when the first few games were coming out, MK was noted for having significantly more lore than most of its fighting counterparts.

Meanwhile, there are a pair of studios that weren't included in the sale to Warner. Midway's San Diego and Newcastle studios will be open for 60 days, according to a report from Joystiq. Provided that no one comes in to buy them from Midway, they'll close at the end of that period.

Newcastle, you might remember, recently started showing off its latest production, Necessary Force. Midway San Diego was most recently the home of TNA Impact! 2. It also happens to be the home of some of the guys that worked on Midway's other sports games, like NBA Jam and NFL Blitz, which may explain why I had a dream last night in which basketball was played while longtime Midway announcer, Tim Kitzrow, provided commentary. My mind's weird sometimes.


24 Comments

Venatio
on July 2, 2009
Finally

McQuinn
on July 2, 2009
Tigon is full of delusional assholes.  Just like the Vinster.

SpiderX20
on July 2, 2009
Sometimes Jeff? Sometimes?!?!

Actually I wouldn't know, I felt a need to question though.

ahoodedfigure
on July 2, 2009
"Beware, I live"

MK's always had lore, but beyond opening and closing messages, where else was the lore built up?  There was that Sub Zero adventure game, wasn't there?  Maybe that had more detail?  Or maybe the manuals did? 

Jeff, you have permission to geek-out and set the record straight.  Do it for MK!

Man, I hope someone snatches up Newcastle.  At least they're trying hard to promote their project.

MjHealy
on July 2, 2009
Well I don't have the most amount of love for Midway. Not growing up in the Arcade days certainly helps but all power to them.

buzz_killington
on July 2, 2009
Poor guys.

JJOR64
on July 2, 2009
As long as WB doesn't mess with them, I so go Midway!

ZombiePie
on July 2, 2009
Well hopefully MIdway can get their act together.

But Jeff you so crazy! How the hell would you do a modernized sequel to Sinistar, a twitch based shoot'em up, without making it suck? Some games should just be left alone and Sinistar is one of those.

Black_Rose is online
on July 2, 2009
@ahoodedfigure said:
" "Beware, I live"MK's always had lore, but beyond opening and closing messages, where else was the lore built up?  There was that Sub Zero adventure game, wasn't there?  Maybe that had more detail?  Or maybe the manuals did?  t. "
The story mode of the last few games was pretty good, specially in Deception.

MrKlorox
on July 2, 2009
@McQuinn said:
" Tigon is full of delusional assholes.  Just like the Vinster. "
When you're knee deep in tang and blang, you can get away with being a delusional asshole. The rest of us just have to stick with being regular assholes.

xionpunk
on July 2, 2009
As long as the MK9 remains on course, I'm good.

FlipperDesert
on July 2, 2009
Dear EA,

Now is your chance to earn more kudos with me! I liked Dead Space and Burnout Paradise a whole bunch, now you can totally help make a pretty game about a cop.

With warm regards,
FlipperDesert.

MattyFTM
on July 2, 2009
I hope someone buys Midway Newcastle. They are a local  and it's nice knowing there is a games studio just up the road.

Reverseface
on July 2, 2009
Vin diesel always in the background plotting to JACK THAT CAR!!!!

Meatsim
on July 2, 2009
Well at least that Threshold Entertainment objection was thrown out because that was just insulting.

WilliamRLBaker is online
on July 2, 2009
HES ON FIRE!!!
BOOM SHIOCKALOCKA!!!

theMcNasty
on July 2, 2009
Ergh.  Every company is merging, going bankrupt or closing its doors.  What the hell happens with all that money we give them?

thecombine
on July 2, 2009
MIDWAY PRESENTS NFL BLITZ 2000!

surely the most in-your-face announcer in any sports game.

AuthenticM
on July 2, 2009
"Do not get me started on the the deep history of strife between Sub-Zero and Scorpion."

Is that sarcasm?

cide is online
on July 2, 2009
Is Threshold really out of line making that statement about the lore?

The Mortal Kombat movie fleshed out the finer details of the mythos.


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