Sony Online Entertainment released a press release today, announcing that they had licensed six classic arcade games from Midway Games for their Playstation Network. These games, which will be downloadable from Sony and would be stored on the PS3's hard drive, will include the classic MK title Mortal Kombat II! From the press release:

Sony Online Entertainment, (SOE) a global leader in the online gaming industry, announced that it has licensed the rights from Midway Home Entertainment Inc., a leading interactive entertainment industry publisher and developer, to develop and release six classic Midway games for the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system. The games will be available for digital download through the PLAYSTATION® Network; with the first game being available in early 2007.

The six downloadable titles are: Mortal Kombat® II, Gauntlet®II, Joust®, Rampage World Tour®, Rampart® and Championship Sprint®. Each title was specifically chosen because of its multiplayer capability, allowing players to experience each of these classics with their friends in the comfort of their own living room, or anywhere else through an internet connection. All of the titles will be offered for PLAYSTATION 3 system download exclusively through the PLAYSTATION Network.

“We knew these titles would be a perfect fit for the PLAYSTATION Network, and based on Sony Online Entertainment’s legacy in the online space as well as their intimate knowledge of the PLAYSTATION Network, it was an obvious decision they would be a top company to work with to bring this project to fruition,” said Steve Allison, chief marketing officer, Midway.

The press release doesn't give any firm information on a release date other than "early 2007". We'll be keeping an eye on this story; as soon as we learn more (especially pricing and a release date), we'll be sure to report it here!

To read the press release in its entirety, click here.

Our thanks to forum member for tipping us off about this important press release!

Midway has released the official box art for MK Armageddon on the Wii! Details right now are still sketchy on the Wii-exclusive control mechanisms for the game, but we will continue to post on this as more becomes known.

Following the release of Kenshi's and Sareena's bios, Midway has released another bio from Mortal Kombat: Armageddon onto the question mark webpage. This time, the wind god Fujin's story in MK: Armageddon is revealed; not only does it show how Fujin came to be involved in the events of Armageddon, it also deepens the mystery of Raiden's transformation and explains the mystery of who animated Liu Kang's corpse.

It is unclear to me what has caused the transformation in our friend and ally Raiden. I have conversed with gods from other realms about the possible reasons for his madness. Rumors abound that he may have sacrificed himself to defeat Onaga. But if that were true, his energies would have dispersed and then reformed in Earthrealm. His spirit would have been reborn, having no memories of the past. He would have become a new god of thunder, neither good nor evil. Yet this new Raiden is dark, acting with a clear goal to defend the realm, but with the ruthlessness of Shao Kahn. What is more troubling is the enforcer he commands. Liu Kang's corpse has been reanimated and is selectively slaying many for reasons unknown. Kung Lao and I have joined forces to confront our former allies. If a way cannot be found to save Raiden and Liu Kang, I fear we will have no choice but to finish them.

We I first reunited with Kung Lao he informed me of a gathering called together by Johnny Cage. At the meeting, Johnny Cage described his encounter with Shinnok, the fallen Elder God thought to have been defeated years ago. I doubted his story. It seems unlikely that Johnny Cage would have psychic powers, and even less likely that he could have defeated Shinnok single-handed. But others present brought forth further evidence that something epic was taking shape. Most interesting was Kenshi's mention of the brothers Taven and Daegon. I knew them well ages ago. When they went missing, I questioned Argus. He would not speak of their whereabouts, but stated that they would bring about a new world. At the time I did not understand what he meant. But now it is becoming clear to me that whatever Argus planned is being corrupted by evil. As the others embark on this journey to defeat Blaze, I must intercept Taven and Daegon to hinder their progress and determine the true purpose of the quest. I only hope I am not too late.

To see the question mark page in its entirety, click here.

Our thanks to forum member for letting us know about this new bio!

Gamasutra recently got the chance to sit down with Scot Bayliss, head of Midway's Chicago studios, to discuss a multitude of subjects, ranging from his start in the gaming industry to titles being produced by Midway. As can be imagined, it isn't too long before Mortal Kombat figures into the interview. One aspect of the conversation turns towards the MK team itself, where Bayliss discusses a side of the team not commonly seen: its work dynamic and how well the team works together. From the article:

Bayless noted a transformation that the Mortal Kombat team is undergoing. "It has to do with the fact that, I think, Ed [Boon] has been tightening his focus on the things he believes are essential." There is a kind of free-form arrangement of people around Boon. "We've got really talented producers, really talented art directors, we’ve got really talented technology guys. But they tend to be very agile about how they move around from thing to thing. They've got a lot of stuff going on. They’ve got Armageddon going on, we're working on some next generation stuff, we've been involved in some PSP work with people on the outside. We've got all this stuff going on. And they're multiplexing through all those things."

...

The Mortal Kombat team is like a studio itself. Bayless explains that Midway is reaching the point where key franchises are taking on the aspect of being a full franchise, not just a single title in development. "I think for a while, Ed was sort of uncomfortable with that. Because his history has always been, 'I do this, and when I'm done, I do that.'" Bayless describers a time when Boon intimated, "Gee, guys, I’m not sure I can do all this at the same time."

However, Boon found that his best team members have been able to step into roles or places where Boon might have taken responsibility for a certain thing before. "And it frees him up to drill down on the creative." Now, Boon's time is focus on two major efforts. "One is driving the creative, proactively. 'Here’s what we should do.' And the other one is that iteration, which is hugely important."

The other MK-related part of the interview comes when the subject of MK on Nintendo comes up. The first system that is mentioned is the Nintendo DS, where it's confirmed again that there are no plans to bring MK to the DS. From the article:

Which next-gen platforms will Midway pursue? "We're going after everything. And that's not unconsidered." Bayless says, describing the big idea: "Let’s put things where it matters, let's put things where it makes sense. Let's try to get in all the spaces it does make sense."

"But to be honest, I would be skeptical about putting an M-rated, unlicensed football game on certain platforms. That platform is aimed at an audience that isn't interested - or if they are interested, their Moms and Dads won’t let them play it."

"The same is true of Mortal Kombat. I'm not going to be a big fan of putting it on Nintendo DS. It would be hard for me to believe that's a good idea. It might even be able to make some money, but it's not a great use of our time.

"Our goal is to create great IP," Bayless concludes. "And to project that IP wherever it makes sense. So are we excited about Wii? Yeah, actually, we are. You should see the proposals that are showing up in my inbox. It’s awesome."

The discussion then leads into talk about the Nintendo Wii, where it's strongly hinted that the Wii may not just get MK: Armageddon, but also possibly some exclusive games. From the article:

"My experience at the [E3] show was, this—" Bayless makes broad, sweeping arm motions "--doesn't work. Or it works kind of marginally. What did work was this--" Bayless makes controlled, tight motions. "I think that makes a pretty big impact on how you design your game."

"The other thing all fighters live and die on is responsiveness," he continues. "Right now, there are some profound questions about that controller and timing. But is it interesting? Is it an interesting problem? Heck yeah!"

Despite a Wii version of Mortal Kombat: Armageddon announced for spring of 2007, Bayless remains generally hesistant about bringing Mortal Kombat to a platform known to draw a young audience, adding, "Is there something else we might do with Mortal Kombat that could be appropriate for that audience? Maybe. We’re actually kicking some ideas around." Does this mean Mortal Kombat for Kids? Bayless laughs. "We can't tell you what they are, but they're pretty cool."

"We actually have some very concrete plans that we're chewing on right now," he concludes. "And we're pretty serious about it, and you'll probably hear about it next year, but we just can't talk about it – as much as I'd like to."

To read the article in its entirety, click here.

Our thanks to forum/chat member for the heads-up about this news story!

Continuing from the release of the Kenshi bio, Midway Games had released a second bio from MK: Armageddon. This time, the debuting playable character (on non-portable consoles), Sareena, is in the spotlight. Her bio is included below in a text only version and the original image:

I was given asylum by the Lin Kuei in gratitude for aiding Sub-Zero in the Netherrealm years ago. I swore to uphold the laws of the clan and protect it from any outside threat. My allegiance was strong, but Sub-Zero felt I still had much to prove before the clan would fully accept me.

He entrusted me with a small metallic object that would guide me and grant me access to the hidden Lin Kuei temple. He ordered me to wait for him there as he departed for the Netherrealm. Instead, I followed him -- I could not bring myself to allow him to come to harm. But the realm's essence began twisting my soul, and I had second thoughts about disobeying him.

When he was attacked by Noob Saibot and Smoke, however, it seemed I had made the right decision. I leapt from hiding and prevented Noob from killing Sub-Zero. With the sides now even, we soundly defeated Noob and Smoke. They escaped to parts unknown, but not before rendering Sub-Zero unconscious.

The intense fight and the influence of the Netherrealm's dark energies caused me to lose control of my human apperance, and I reverted to my demonic form. When Sub-Zero regained consciousness, he was confused and attacked me. To avoid harming him, I fled to the depths of the Netherrealm. There I was ambushed by Noob, Smoke, and my former master, Quan Chi. The sorcerer knew of my allegiance to Sub-Zero and demanded to know the location of the Lin Kuei temple. At first I refused, holding to my oath. But Quan Chi's influence is great. He cast his dark sorcery upon me, returning me to my human form and showing me my true nature. I am not a being of Light. I am a demon of the Netherrealm, a servant of Quan Chi. I will follow him to whatever end. I surrendered the object given to me by Sub-Zero. He was a fool to have trusted me.

Adding new plot elements as far back as MK Mythologies: Sub-Zero and leading through the endings of MK: Deception, confirming Noob Saibot's ending took place in some sense, this bio spans Sareena's history to her current situation. This bio also fixes a few of the events from MK: Armageddon's Konquest mode in which Sareena briefly appeared along side Quan Chi.

Thanks to forum member for sending in this bio!