This Is Vegas

This Is Vegas is an open-world game being developed by Surreal Software, the same team that developed The Suffering and the Drakan games. It is being published by Midway Games for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC and is to be released in December of 2009.

 PARTY!

This Is Vegas is a rags-to-riches story of one man -- your playable character -- who hops off the bus in the city of sin with only a handful of dollars to his name. It's up to you to create your own empire in Vegas by getting to know all the famous people at the best night clubs, gambling and growing your bankroll, engaging in street races to get more respect, and of course fighting people, whether it's with guns or your own two fists.

Midway is pitching the gameplay in This Is Vegas as relying on four pillars: fighting, driving, gambling, and partying. The game contains numerous gambling minigames, such as poker, blackjack, and roulette, and you'll be able to cheat at them to increase your odds -- provided you don't get caught. You can also hit various nightclubs and pick up extra cash by tending bar or laying down moves on the dance floor.

The citizens of Vegas will be categorized as suits in a deck of cards:
 
The Diamonds are the high rollers; the Hearts, classic Vegas old-timers; the Clubs, naturally the people into the club scenes; and the Spades, the rockers in Vegas. Each of these factions will give you different missions to complete, unlocking new options in the game.

Whether or not Midway will be around long enough to publish this game is still in the question, however if Midway folds publishers such as EA or Activision might pick up this project.