Judge approves Midway sale to Warner Bros.

Mortal Kombat maker cleared to emerge from bankruptcy thanks to $33 million acquisition offer.

Midway Games is just about ready to turn the final page on its Chapter 11 saga: a Delaware bankruptcy court judge yesterday approved the company's proposed $33 million sale to Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. The sale should close in short order, as the judge waived a standard 10-day waiting provision in such cases, saying "time is of the essence."

Midway lives to fight again.

The acquisition will give Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment most of Midway's assets, including the Mortal Kombat and Wheelman franchises. The offer does not include Midway's Newcastle (UK) and San Diego studios, nor the TNA Impact wrestling license. Earlier this month, Midway's Newcastle studio revealed its all-new IP, Necessary Force, in an effort to attract a buyer.

In approving the sale, the judge also dealt with a variety of objections to the sale raised from various parties. Notably, a dispute with a producer of the original Mortal Kombat movies and TV shows was allayed as all parties agreed that the change in ownership to Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment would not alter his rights regarding the franchise in any way. However, there was no determination on exactly what those rights were.

A representative with Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment declined to comment on the acquisition or the expected closing date of the purchase, while a Midway spokesperson had not returned request for comment as of press time.

67 Comments

  • GothiK8DragoN

    Posted Jul 24, 2009 3:03 pm PT

    God Help Midway! We Need a MK game that has a Great Story and Awesome Game Play.

  • MVCFreak

    Posted Jul 10, 2009 11:44 am PT

    I Wish Li Mei was back in MK9!

  • geoff-uk123

    Posted Jul 10, 2009 9:42 am PT

    Yes! MK9 will be made!

  • BrolyLSSJ3

    Posted Jul 8, 2009 1:07 pm PT

    lets hope the next MK is game is good

  • otanikun

    Posted Jul 6, 2009 7:54 pm PT

    Not bad, I approve of this ^_^

  • Zero9698

    Posted Jul 6, 2009 1:02 pm PT

    they may release a mk movie

  • backatcha

    Posted Jul 6, 2009 9:27 am PT

    A solid purchase.

  • ZedX-14Pilot

    Posted Jul 6, 2009 8:44 am PT

    Considering WB sucks as bad or WORSE as Midway, their games will still suck hard.

  • IBEX333

    Posted Jul 6, 2009 7:41 am PT

    Doesn't really matter... Mortal Kombat hasn't been the same for many years now. WB will make it ever worse though in an effort to achieve an "E" rating...

  • StephenBassford

    Posted Jul 5, 2009 5:22 pm PT

    DUBAYAH B!

    Midway has done some masterful things (a few generations to go). Here's to hoping that Midway will start making great games again.

    *raises glass*

  • JamesSoprano

    Posted Jul 5, 2009 4:57 pm PT

    that's good i liked MK VS DC Universe it had a cool storyline too it and was nice to play it was a fresh idea to the table. but to see them going back to old roots is a good idea as well. MK Armageddon was not too bad it was ok but MKVSDC Universe i thought was better

  • sleath_hunter33

    Posted Jul 5, 2009 4:32 pm PT

    ***** now mortal kombat gonna suck ass form the worlds most brutal game to the worlds gayest game what next epic losses the right of gears to some ***** company

  • BtmnHatesRbn

    Posted Jul 4, 2009 9:22 am PT

    So, how long before Warner Bros. gets Infograms to re-obtain all of Atari that they sold off in 1984? Then what? Take on Apple with the Atari Falcon Cell version? (Only really old Atari computer users will get that one.) Or release a new version of the Jaguar? This is WB buying their old company back.

  • BtmnHatesRbn

    Posted Jul 4, 2009 9:20 am PT

    @MVCFreak Pick up a copy of Gotham City Sirens at a comic book shop for Harley Quinn in a schoolgirl outfit.

  • BtmnHatesRbn

    Posted Jul 4, 2009 9:19 am PT

    @Zerobeam Time Warner is one of the biggest publishers of adult content: gangster rap, Vertigo/WildStorm comics, Steven Seagal movies, etc. Are the R rated movies Terminator 3 and 4 "family friendly"?

  • Zerobeam

    Posted Jul 4, 2009 5:46 am PT

    Warner Bros. seems like one of those "family" companies, wonder if Midway is still gonna be shooting for that "M" rating for the next Mortal Kombat game...or maybe it'll be MK vs. Looney Tunes universe

  • MVCFreak

    Posted Jul 3, 2009 3:22 pm PT

    I would luv to see Harley Quinn,Poison Ivy,Black Carnary,Zantana,Jade,Sindel,Millena and Tanya in Mortal Kombat Vs. DC Universe 2!

  • hannify

    Posted Jul 3, 2009 1:38 pm PT

    Bah buy the damn newcastle studio you cheapos

  • danmazza

    Posted Jul 3, 2009 12:36 pm PT

    Let's get a new Psi-Ops game going, that was the sweetest game no one played. You could suck peoples brains out and make their heads explode then set em on fire and throw em 100 yards at another enemy. It was freakin sweet.

  • Microwin

    Posted Jul 3, 2009 10:30 am PT

    the problem began when they're started to hire more and more people and didn't wanted to let go of people who's been with the company for years, in the end no matter how much they made, it still wasn't enough. Either work with what you got, or fire those that aren't needed and hire new blood. You can't make everyone happy, in the video game business, no job lasts forever!

  • saad77

    Posted Jul 3, 2009 7:58 am PT

    its good

  • score89

    Posted Jul 3, 2009 5:46 am PT

    I want to see MK rise from the ashes (once more)

  • shkar

    Posted Jul 3, 2009 4:53 am PT

    Just bring me a decent bloody MK game and a Dark knight like movie for Mortal kombat......

  • drknessfeeds

    Posted Jul 3, 2009 4:50 am PT

    I do not want to see the end of Mortal Kombat, I still remember my jaw dropping in the arcades when Sub Zero ripped off someones head. I hope they make atleast one more mature MK and return to the roots that made it the game it was. What Street Fighter 4 did, new look same classic gameplay with some up to date tweaks. Just looking forward to some simple fun gameplay and fatalities to make my jaw drop again.

  • daveneonfarrell

    Posted Jul 3, 2009 3:51 am PT

    Amen deuketc! MK turned into a steaming pile of poo when it went 3D. And like leeko_link noted. Armadgeddon and MK vs DC Universe turned that pile of poo into a mountain. Man mk vs dc was horrible.

  • Setsuka13

    Posted Jul 3, 2009 3:03 am PT

    Glad to see Midway made it out pretty good.

  • Melty123

    Posted Jul 3, 2009 1:09 am PT

    Seems good.

  • leeko_link

    Posted Jul 3, 2009 1:08 am PT

    Ed Boon probably already confirmed that the next Mortal Kombat game would return to an Mature rating title. How it would look and playout is still not known. Here hoping it doesn't flop like MK: Armageddon and MK vs. DC Universe.

  • ahpuck

    Posted Jul 2, 2009 11:29 pm PT

    the only thing that's going to come out of this is more mediocre G rated MK games.

  • Pete5506

    Posted Jul 2, 2009 10:53 pm PT

    Thats a good thing, maybe something good can come out of it

  • King-PC-gamers

    Posted Jul 2, 2009 10:31 pm PT

    This is great

  • firehawk998

    Posted Jul 2, 2009 10:06 pm PT

    Well heres my take of it. if Warner Brothers makes Midway to produce a game which is like MK 1,2,3 and MKD I am in but if it churns out more T-rated MK thats it this game is not for me.

  • ferrarimanf355

    Posted Jul 2, 2009 9:44 pm PT

    BlueFlameBat,

    Omigawd, you read my mind. I love The Grid, I'd snap up an XBLA or PSN port if I could. And the arcade version of Rush 2049 on XBLA/PSN would be nice, too.

  • godzillavskong

    Posted Jul 2, 2009 9:35 pm PT

    I thought Warner Bros did nicely with the Condemned series and the Fear titles, so hear's hoping they can get Midway back on the right track. How about doing a NBA Jams remake?

  • thps48

    Posted Jul 2, 2009 8:38 pm PT

    Ooh, how 'bout MK v...

    Looney Tunes? Wow, what does WB have that'll titillate nerds...

    Uhhh... Animaniacs? Did anyone who was a kid during Animanics like that show? I give up. XE

  • deuketc

    Posted Jul 2, 2009 8:31 pm PT

    I think MK started to suck the most when it went 3D. bring back a dark original MK with original characters. not some remix crap

  • SotaWolf

    Posted Jul 2, 2009 8:16 pm PT

    And here comes MK9!

  • thetravman

    Posted Jul 2, 2009 8:11 pm PT

    Sounds good. One worry down, now I just hope a Wii MK is in development.

  • BtmnHatesRbn

    Posted Jul 2, 2009 7:44 pm PT

    And so Warner Bros. gets their version of Atari Games back from Midway.

  • Carnifex726

    Posted Jul 2, 2009 7:41 pm PT

    good to hear, midway needs to start making good mortal kombat games again. Bring on the M rated gore fests that were all used to.

  • batmanboy11

    Posted Jul 2, 2009 7:29 pm PT

    I'm happy if it means more MK.

  • Morris_The_Grey

    Posted Jul 2, 2009 7:08 pm PT

    Come on Mortal Kombat vs Looney Tunes Universe.

  • zaiwen

    Posted Jul 2, 2009 6:57 pm PT

    unless the next MK will bring back everything, i do mean EVERYTHING that the series was first known for, & not engage into childish gore gameplay, then its "fatality" for MK ...for good

  • Commisar123

    Posted Jul 2, 2009 5:59 pm PT

    It could be worse they could have been completly disolved like blue octane of course Midway's games don't suck

  • VXLbeast

    Posted Jul 2, 2009 5:47 pm PT

    Good luck to them, it is always horrible to hear of a gaming developer in financial truoble.

  • corkyhookahking

    Posted Jul 2, 2009 5:37 pm PT

    Finally

  • okassar

    Posted Jul 2, 2009 5:17 pm PT

    Cool

  • DEATH775

    Posted Jul 2, 2009 5:12 pm PT

    This is great

  • DevilD2005

    Posted Jul 2, 2009 4:48 pm PT

    ouch...a tv studio running a game studio?

  • King_Jeremy_77

    Posted Jul 2, 2009 4:47 pm PT

    Yay for Midway!

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