Mortal Kombat devs planning Midway exodus?

Source: Gaming blog Kotaku.What we heard: Midway is in dire financial straits, having filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in February because creditors had called in $240 million in debt. One way the publisher hopes to overcome its indebtedness is through the controversial sale of its assets and gaming...

Source: Gaming blog Kotaku.

What we heard: Midway is in dire financial straits, having filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in February because creditors had called in $240 million in debt. One way the publisher hopes to overcome its indebtedness is through the controversial sale of its assets and gaming properties, the most lucrative of which is Mortal Kombat. However, even if Midway retains the violent fighting franchise, it might be losing the talented team that has been developing it.

Citing unnamed sources within the company, Kotaku reported over the weekend that the Mortal Kombat team--which is said to comprise some 50 developers--is in discussions to leave Midway and form up under a new publisher. Senior members of the Mortal Kombat management team are reportedly in the process of negotiating with other publishers a deal that would carve out space for a new studio.

According to Kotaku's sources, the Mortal Kombat team harbors a number of qualms with Midway, the most pressing of which relates to unpaid bonuses owed to the developers after Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe hit its sales targets. Speaking to Kotaku, Midway representatives addressed this issue, saying, "Midway is not refusing to pay out those bonuses. It's the unsecured creditors committee that is refusing to allow us to pay them. They're the ones holding that up."

The gaming blog's source also said that the Mortal Kombat team has become increasingly "frustrated" over Midway's handling of the recent bankruptcy filing. The source said that Midway's ability to release quality titles on schedule outside of the Mortal Kombat team has been a sticking point for the developers, as well.

The official story: Midway provided no further comment to GameSpot.

Bogus or not bogus?: Too early to say, but given Midway's current financial straits, it seems entirely plausible that the Mortal Kombat team would be looking for a way out.

105 Comments

  • repoman225

    Posted Apr 12, 2009 10:09 pm PT

    Well MkvsDc was horrible so they deserve it.

  • Cobbz

    Posted Apr 10, 2009 2:48 pm PT

    LOL midway sucks

  • DeeCrutch

    Posted Apr 8, 2009 7:56 pm PT

    One more wrod on MKvsDC from me...

    I had the game for awhile (online rental),and I liked it. It's just that 1. like I said earlier, the MK and DC universes just don't belong together IMO, and 2. after playing Armageddon and being able to create my own people, I was hoping to get to do that in the next game, so it was a bit of a disappointment when I couldn't.

    On its own, MKvsDC was a fine game, but it just wasn't what I was hoping for for the first MK game on nextgen systems.

  • beekayjay

    Posted Apr 7, 2009 7:29 pm PT

    @raptures330
    Not according to the article I read in Edge. The bonuses are going to key/selected members of Midway, 29 to be exact, and not specifically people who were part of the MKvsDC dev team. The bonuses aren't strictly tied to the sales performance of the game either; instead it seems more tied to the achievement of certain business goals related to the sale and reorganization of the company.
    So my opinion based on that article still stands. Here's the article:
    http://www.edge-online.com/features/midway-amends-bonus-plan-amidst-pressure

  • Hedfix

    Posted Apr 7, 2009 4:04 pm PT

    I have to say I enjoyed their bare bones RPG, wander around mode on one of the Xbox games. I'd like to see a return to that mode but with added depth.

  • DrKill09

    Posted Apr 7, 2009 3:34 pm PT

    Remember when Ed Boon said they'd "Start MK from scratch" and "rework it from the ground up", but game us MK vs DCU instead? Maybe now we'll get an all new fighting game with the classic MK style LIKE THEY PROMISED LAST TIME! MK vs DC Universe was surprisingly good, but it just wasn't Mortal Kombat.

  • OldStupidGeezer

    Posted Apr 7, 2009 3:32 pm PT

    good. mk needs new blood to make the game great once again

  • MrArmageddon8

    Posted Apr 7, 2009 3:04 pm PT

    Mortal Kombat is dead to me anyway. The DC addition was the last of many nails in the coffin.

  • Downloadpilot

    Posted Apr 7, 2009 2:51 pm PT

    I thought they would end up forming a new studio. I still wonder if this is true though.

  • Arab-man666

    Posted Apr 7, 2009 2:19 pm PT

    Poor midway.

    Well, if they have to let MK go, I hope it's too an American Company or a deveopment branch in the US. MK has always emulated a Martial Arts fighting game as viewed in the west, making it unlike all the others.

    But even if Midway shuts down, somthing tells me Ed Boon wont be starving anytime soon...

  • khariss

    Posted Apr 7, 2009 2:09 pm PT

    well at least they still have defender lol

  • BtmnHatesRbn

    Posted Apr 7, 2009 1:49 pm PT

    Mortal Kombat is so Genesis, circa 1993.

  • dethtrain

    Posted Apr 7, 2009 1:47 pm PT

    I thought the latest MK vs DC game was sub par. Graphically it seemed kind of weak. And just content wise it was kind of lacking. I think they did better with the previous MK games on the PS2. I'd like to see if they can do something else besides mortal kombat though.

  • yeah_28

    Posted Apr 7, 2009 1:27 pm PT

    its too bad for Midway but as long as Mortal Kombat keeps being alive everything will be ok, i mean imagine if mortal kombat truly ends, all those weird bloody fights and ridiculous fatalitys, it would be a disaster, mortal kombat is that exagerated brutal and funny game that no other game is, everybody knows it, i just hope mortal kombat never ends.

  • Hedfix

    Posted Apr 7, 2009 1:17 pm PT

    "Mortal Kombat: Exodus" would make a good game title. Make it so.

  • Shadowsouled

    Posted Apr 7, 2009 12:22 pm PT

    Talented dev team? I don't remember the last time the MK series had a really good game. They've always been decent, but never fantastic.

  • sj_nehama

    Posted Apr 7, 2009 10:47 am PT

    After MK3 Ultimate on sega i never played MK again and i dnt regret it one bit.

  • tommyxx516

    Posted Apr 7, 2009 10:28 am PT

    I'm not sure how talented these dev are considering that Midway haven't had a hit on their hands except MK. Let's compare the new MK vs DC to the 10+ year old MK2. Besides updating the graphics and sound, its basically the same play mechanics, same moves, and still a cheap cheesy still picture endings.

  • Mr_Versipellis

    Posted Apr 7, 2009 9:44 am PT

    Saw it coming a mile off.

  • edzea

    Posted Apr 7, 2009 9:39 am PT

    Its about time they take their talents and use them to make their own money, Midway has crap games otherwise, MK is all it had going for it, and now its time for the MK developers to get their own thing going.

  • Hvac0120

    Posted Apr 7, 2009 9:02 am PT

    It was only a matter of time before these developers were laid off anyway. It's best that they be kept together and put under another publisher so they can continue to make fighting games together. It might not be Mortal Kombat branded, but it might be a spiritual successor, which could be something much better since the team can create new charaters, stories and gameplay features.
    _

  • raptures330

    Posted Apr 7, 2009 8:47 am PT

    Take the money and run. Anytime the words "bonus" and "bankruptcy" are in the same article since the AIG fraud I want to get a penny. @beekayjay
    Those bonuses are for the devs you feel sorry for. ^.^

    "...the most pressing of which relates to unpaid bonuses owed to the developers after Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe hit its sales targets."

  • majere613

    Posted Apr 7, 2009 8:39 am PT

    This one looks like it has potential upsides and downsides. On the one hand, if the MK devs up and leave Midway en masse it'll probably mean the end of MK as we know it. On the other, it could lead to those devs creating a new IP from scratch that's as good or better, whilst new talent at Midway takes MK in a new direction. Interesting times ahead for Sub Zero and co, it seems.

  • green_dominator

    Posted Apr 7, 2009 8:12 am PT

    I haven't had the chance to buy MK vs DCU yet [I'm a cheap bastard] But the videos I've seen and reviews and feedback say alot for me. I love Mortal Kombat and I hope it Kontinues. As for Midway....it's a shame......they have always been the generator of great games like Mortal Kombat and it's heritage as a Pinball maker, I hope they recover and I hope The MK team keeps the legend alive. It would truly be a sad day if it was handed over to someone else who didn't know the mindset behind it.......

  • shattapinks

    Posted Apr 7, 2009 8:05 am PT

    If the development team were to be separated from the MK IP it would be tragic. I am a true fan of MK, but I must say that the reason that I've been so loyal to the MK franchise is because of one person--Ed Boon. If MK is going to be spearheaded by anybody else but him, then I would have to think twice about geting it. On the other hand though, if the developers leave Midway, then, more than likely, they will have to work on a new IP unless the MK IP goes with them, which I have already grown to accept may not happen. With that being the case then, I see myself having a new favourite fighting franchise by the next console generation, which is going to be developed by an Ed Boon led team because let's face it....This dev team is really talented, and I am 100% sure that they are going to develop another fighting game that is going to be leaps and bounds better than MK vs. DC Universe, which for the record is a pretty good game despite many of its shortcomings.

  • SMUNirvana1

    Posted Apr 7, 2009 7:24 am PT

    I hope Mortal Kombat lives on (of course it will)...I was less than enamored with MK VS DC - and I have a short wish list for the next game -

    1. Rated M for Mature: The early interviews say that when the next gen MK game was coming around, Boon wanted to be gritty like Gears of War...I hope that comes true.

    2. Let's get cutscene endings; enough with the pictures and just reading what happens - this is an amazing generation of consoles - make some endings that match the caliber of other games...

    3. Finally, a new story arch - a different time period of the MK mythos, a new story with out the same characters (all of whom I like; but are stale). I could easily be alone on these wants but I don't think so...

  • jon181

    Posted Apr 7, 2009 7:10 am PT

    Finish Him!

  • swollenmember89

    Posted Apr 7, 2009 6:15 am PT

    LOL MK VS. DC IS A GREAT GAME!! ALL YOU NAYSAYERS SHOULD BE STRIPPED OF YOUR GAMING PRIVILEGES

    THEY HAD TO MAKE THIS GAME!! I MEAN THEY MADE MARVEL VS. CAPCOM.... MK VS. DC IS ON PAR...JUST WISH THEY ADDED A FEW MORE CHARACTERS...BUT WHO'S TO SAY SOME DLC WON'T COME TAGGING ALONG ONCE THIS LITTLE FIASCO SETTLES.

  • martman14

    Posted Apr 7, 2009 5:44 am PT

    Mortal Kombat rules i hope someone is able to take it on. Mortal kombat ending would be a gaming tragedy

  • 84montecarlo

    Posted Apr 7, 2009 5:34 am PT

    i thought Shaolin Monks and Armageddon were great games! I didn't care for MK vs DC so much even tho i still own it and would NOT sell/trade it

  • msharki

    Posted Apr 7, 2009 4:40 am PT

    Hopefully Midway doesn't get to retain the MK liscense and the team takes it with them to a better publisher that will give them more money and time to put into better development. These crap ideas with MK vs. Fraggle Rock or whatever stupid franchise is crazy. Mortal Kombat Armageddon was awsome and i'm not sure why people didn't like it. Konquest mode was the best thing to ever happen to MK, and it had a damn good story. If they would develop that side a little more throw in a mini-game or 2 and just use the Unreal Engine again and bring back more MK characters things would be all good. In fact just start at the beginning. Armageddon has been done. Now reboot the franchise with a Konquest mode for the original characters from MK 1 and just give each character about a 4-5 hour story to play through in addition to just fighting.

  • oldhead666

    Posted Apr 7, 2009 4:21 am PT

    you know you just want capcom to buy the MK license and then we can finally have MK vs SF everyones dream versus game

  • darthcrow64

    Posted Apr 7, 2009 3:38 am PT

    save the sarah connor chronicles and watch it this friday and sign the petition. go to.. http://www.petitiononline.com/scc2009/petition.html spread the word and help us fight the good fight!!!

  • pilot_riaz

    Posted Apr 7, 2009 3:37 am PT

    Do you remember a beat em up game called Target Renegade on Amstrad CPC 464 and C64, developed by company called Imagine now called Ubisoft. Awesome game. Wouldn't be good if they took it on as they don't do fight games anymore. Activision sounds like a good idea

  • XboxHore

    Posted Apr 7, 2009 3:28 am PT

    I hope some one takes it on, it would be a shame to lose one of the real old-school tiles like Mk.

  • Boggy_d

    Posted Apr 7, 2009 3:16 am PT

    I wouldn't be surprised to see Activision snap up the MK franchise. Hopefully it will go to somebody who can give it a bit of a reboot, but stay true to the mythology.

  • beekayjay

    Posted Apr 7, 2009 3:02 am PT

    Midway trying to pay out bonuses to their top brass after steering the company to bankruptcy, that is just awesome. It totally lines up with my cynical worldview regarding executives. Scum so low, they'll try to reward themselves for failing. Heart goes out to the actual development team.

  • pilot_riaz

    Posted Apr 7, 2009 2:42 am PT

    ok some of the early 3d mk games sucked but mk vs dc was a step in the right direction. If it continued it might have got better. It can still continue if the developers get their way out and form a new publisher themselves

  • wwonka666

    Posted Apr 7, 2009 2:16 am PT

    Hmm, what if? They got the Mortal Kombat IP for the unpaid bonuses?

  • peteypeeps

    Posted Apr 7, 2009 1:41 am PT

    I feel sad for the midway fans ... i feel your pain, im a uber sega fan, they day they stopped making hardware was one of the worst days ever

  • bennae66 posted Apr 7, 2009 1:34 am PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    bennae66

    Posted Apr 7, 2009 1:34 am PT (hide)

    MK is a dead horse, they need to stop flogging it.

  • bennae66

    Posted Apr 7, 2009 1:33 am PT

    sorry MK fans; but midway died long ago with the arcades. mortal combat died about the same time. now, to load up sf4 for some online...

  • Vang665

    Posted Apr 7, 2009 12:51 am PT

    midway is finished. time to sell everything off and close the doors. thats what they get for putting out junky games every year (this includes all the 3d mk's except for mk vs dc).

  • DeeCrutch

    Posted Apr 7, 2009 12:39 am PT

    As a long time MK fan, I hate this...all of this. But I don't blame Boon and his team for wanting to jump ship. I just wish they could take the MK IP with them when they do. They have been making profitable titles for Midway all these years, and it is not their fault if many of Midway's other titles failed to produce. Like I said, I hate it, but I ain't mad at them for doing it. W

    ho knows though...this could be a blessing in desguise after all. It could mean a completely fresh take on MK if/when Midway sells it, and it could mean a brand new game from the old MK team when they get set up, because they won't be able to use the MK stuff, so they'll have to come up with something new. This could work out after all.

    BTW, I didn't care much for MK vs. DC. I love both 'universes', but they just don't belong together, IMO. It's almost like putting Donald Duck in a Stephen King movie or Spawn in a Mickey Mouse cartoon...it just doesn't fit.

    One more thing...I'll take anything MK over anything SF any day of the week with no hesitation whatsoever.

  • EnaVRi

    Posted Apr 6, 2009 11:18 pm PT

    Mortal Kombat is becoming too tedious to play... Sluggish animations, only relying on gore (except the recent MK vs DC)...

    If they could make MK play more fluid the I probably will buy...

  • maaly81

    Posted Apr 6, 2009 9:44 pm PT

    sad

  • Diernes

    Posted Apr 6, 2009 9:40 pm PT

    best thing that can happen to the MK franchise at this stage is to go to a development team with better skills at making fighters.

    I know this viwepoint wont be popular but, seriously the MK devleopment team is pretty bad espcially when it comes ot the balanced gameplay and top tier animations required for a good fighter these days

  • nate1222

    Posted Apr 6, 2009 9:14 pm PT

    MK2 and MK Decepteion were my favs of the MK franchise. MK vs DC is pretty good, but its kombat system is nowhere near as good as Deceptions. I also liked Psi-Ops and The Suffering TTB. And I own Midway's Arcade Treasures 2 for GameCube, just for MK2&3. Whereever MK goes, I hope the team makes great games. I'll continue to buy them.

    But this story brings us to an issue I've repeatedly raised here at GS: Development costs (mainly for PS3 & 360) are out of control. Developers and publishers are struggling to make ends meet. And it's probably at the heart of Midway's inability to pay MK Team. Even the Wii is having dev cost issues; Reggie saying 1 million units to see a profit. The downloadables on PS3, 360, Wii, PSP and soon DSi -can fix that problem. Old School titles and/or cheaply developed games via low cost download. Midway, themselves, are sitting on a damn gold mine! Jump on it guys! I'm still waiting for MK Trilogy via Virtual Console and/or DSi Shop!

  • joesh89

    Posted Apr 6, 2009 8:58 pm PT

    i thought it was a fresh move from midway to make mk vs dc, i still dont get why so many people moan about it. its a fantastic game.

  • tearo

    Posted Apr 6, 2009 8:53 pm PT

    MK SHALL NEVER DIE!

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