According to the publication Computer and Video Games, Midway Games has closed their Midway West development studios in California. From the article:

Midway West made 90 percent of its workforce redundant, our sources disclosed, effectively closing the doors on the developer, which was working on both Crank the Weasel and Gladiator: The Crimson Reign for next-gen systems.

It should be noted that while this is a sign of further problems within Midway, Mortal Kombat is actually developed by the studios located in the Chicago area. We'll keep you all updated as the situation develops.

To read the article in its entirety, click here.

Our thanks to forum member story for the heads up on this breaking news!

Midway Games has launched the official PAL site for Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance. This new site is hosted at a new address called http://www.itsinusall.com, complete with the new slogan "It's In Us All" featured prominently. The new site features a different layout than the original MK:DA website, and announces the release of the PAL version on Valentine's Day, Feburary 14.

To visit the PAL MK:DA website, click here.

Our thanks to forum member ICEMan for bringing us the information on this story!

Taken from Midway.com :

CHICAGO – January 13, 2003 - Midway Games Inc. (NYSE: MWY), a leading software industry publisher and developer, announced today that Mortal Kombat®: Deadly AllianceTM has sold through more than one million units across all platforms between its November 22 launch and the end of 2002. The game is currently available for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, the XboxTM video game system from Microsoft, Nintendo GameCubeTM and Game Boy® Advance. Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance is scheduled to launch in Europe in February 2003.

“We are thrilled the gaming community fully embraced the latest edition of the Mortal Kombat franchise,â€? said Helene Sheeler, vice president of marketing, Midway. “Mortal Kombat titles have always been top sellers in the fighting game genre and the successful sales of Deadly Alliance reinforce that Midway is giving gamers exactly what they want.â€?

The leading gaming sites have also recognized Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance as a top choice. GameSpot declared the game “Best fighting game of 2002â€? for Xbox and Nintendo GameCube and IGN included it among its “Editor’s Choice Awardsâ€? for Xbox, Nintendo GameCube and PlayStation 2.

Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance delivers the highly acclaimed series to the next-generation consoles with a lethal dose of unparalleled brutality, supernatural mystique and a reinvented fighting system, all powered by a new engine that rewards longtime fans of the franchise as well as next-generation game lovers. Beginning the next chapter in the battle of good versus evil, two powerful sorcerers – Shang Tsung® and Quan Chi™ – join forces to deliver unrivaled fighting action in their quest for supreme immortality. Historically, the Mortal Kombat series is one of the best-selling franchises in videogame history with more than 19 million home games sold.

In the game, players engage in hand-to-hand and special-weapon combat, executing secret moves and combinations with new fatalities and deadly body blows. Lethal new warriors are added to the mix along with the return of Mortal Kombat classics – Scorpion™, Raiden™, Sub-Zero® and Sonya Blade®. Hyper-realistic, Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance features progressive physical damage that allows players to view the inevitable demise of their opponents while utilizing three unique fighting styles for each warrior, creating nearly unlimited fighting possibilities.

Players are also able to enter the Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance “Krypt,â€? which is comprised of more than 600 “koffinsâ€? that players can purchase with “kurrencyâ€? earned in the game. The “koffinsâ€? are filled with new characters, new arenas, alternate costumes, photos and other hidden surprises.

For the entire press release click here.

With Midway's current financial situation, and the fact that Microsoft has already aquired another video game company in Midway's price range, it may not be long before Mortal Kombat becomes an X-Box exclusive.  Although it might be just a rumor, you may want to read the full story courtesy of Crain's Chicago Bussiness.

"Microsoft has to do something," says industry analyst Michael Pachter of Los Angeles-based Wedbush Morgan Securities Inc. "They've got lousy sports games; Midway has some good ones. Mortal Kombat would be great if they had it (exclusively). They've got to make a dent in Sony's lead, and Midway would help. It makes a lot of sense."

(Editor's Note: It should be noted that this article is entirely speculative. There is no evidence either way to show that Microsoft is even interested in buying Midway. We'll keep you posted as developments occur. -- D'Arque Bishop)

2002 has come to an end, bringing to a close a very eventful year in the world of Mortal Kombat, including the long-awaited release of Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance! As we ring in the New Year, we would like to shed some light on new developments in the MK world and community!

First off, we would like to congratulate Mortal Kombat Kourier, run by MK5.ORG's Fan Art Manager AcjBizar, for joining the Kombat Pavilion as a MK5.ORG hosted site. A member of the #mortalkombat IRC Network, MKK is a respected member of the MK community, and we are proud to support them in serving the MK community with the latest news in all things MK.

Speaking of latest news, the final secret in Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance (alluded to at Fight Night) has apparently been revealed. Forum member Dragula21 gave information detailing the nature of the final secret (if not the actual method of accessing it). From the forum post:

Well it turns out to be a button combination you enter, and it shows you what version of the game you have. They had like 200 some odd versions, and when you enter the combination, it displays your version number, that is it.

Forum moderator Mobster4Christ was able to confirm this information via a reputable source who at this time wishes to remain anonymous. In any event, it appears the veil surrounding the final secret has finally been lifted.

In closing, we at MK5.ORG would like to wish you all a safe and happy New Year. We will see you all in 2003, and continue to do our best to provide you with the best in coverage of the world of Mortal Kombat.

Let Mortal Kombat continue...