Midway Games has released a press statement detailing their financial guidance for the fourth quarter of 2002, revising their total revenue estimate down by several million dollars. While mention is made of several games such as Defender and Dr. Muto not living up to sales expectations, they do make note that this was partially offset by the higher-than-expected demand for Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance. While no mention is made of a possible buyout (as reported as a possibility in a previous news article), they do make mention of streamlining operations. From the release:

For the full year ending December 31, 2003, Midway expects revenues of between $250.0 million and $275.0 million, and pre-tax earnings of between $20.0 million and $30.0 million. Midway is currently exploring opportunities to streamline operations that, if adopted, could result in non-recurring charges reducing expected pre-tax earnings.

The press release also makes note of upcoming plans and releases, including a mention of the PAL/European release for Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance. From the release:

Midway expects to release MLB SlugFest 20-04, the sequel to the top-selling PlayStation 2 baseball game of 2002 (year-to-date, according to NPD Funworld), and the highly anticipated European version of Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance to all PAL territories. Midway's domestic release of Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance was a success on all four platforms, and the Company expects this game to be a top-5 title on the PlayStation 2 and Xbox platforms this holiday season.

While other projects are mentioned, there is no mention of the next Mortal Kombat game, which is currently in the design stages, according to the developers who attended Fight Night. We'll keep you all informed as we know more concerning Midway's financial situation.

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

Thanks to forum/chat member -MuRdOiNk- for the heads-up!

All of us at MK5.org would like to extend our warmest wishes to all of you this holiday season. Today is also a special day for the site as we celebrate yet another milestone in our history: our fourth anniversary. The fact alone that we are still here today and still growing strong these past four years would not have been possible without all of the support our readers continue to give us. And for that, we thank you! Whether you've been here since day one or have recently found our site, we will continue the excellence of our coverage you've come to expect no matter where the world of Mortal Kombat leads us. Our coverage of MK: Deadly Alliance may be nearing a close, but in February 2003, keep near as this site becomes - The Voice of the Mortal Kombat Community.

From all of us at MK5.org - Merry Christmas!

Taken from the LA Times last Saturday:

Midway Games Inc., best known for its "Mortal Kombat" series of fighting games, is battling for its own survival and is shopping itself to other video game publishers, sources said Friday.

Industry executives familiar with the situation said Midway had approached at least two firms about a possible deal.

But whether a merger or an acquisition will transpire is far from clear. Companies such as Santa Monica-based Activision Inc. and Redwood City, Calif.-based Electronic Arts Inc. are among the healthiest of the game publishers, but sources said neither was interested in buying Midway.

Midway executives didn't return calls seeking comment.

The Chicago-based firm is scheduled to give guidance on its quarterly results Monday.

After 12 consecutive quarterly losses, Midway faces a crucial holiday season. Even with strong sales of its "Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance," analysts are speculating about how long the company can survive as an independent entity.

To read the entire article click here. Thanks goes out to MK5.org member JPFan for the tip.

Fight Night has ended with the Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance Development Team! It was a huge success. More information will be provided soon.

A transcript of the event is now available here.

Don't forget that tonight, at 8 PM Central time (2 AM GMT Saturday the 14th), MK5.ORG, in association with the #mortalkombat IRC Network, will be presenting FIGHT NIGHT, another in our series of chats with celebrities from the world of Mortal Kombat! Our guests tonight will be members of the development team of Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance! The guest list will consist of Ed Boon, John Vogel, Mike Taran, Tony Goskie, John Podlasek, Alexander Barrentine, Brian Lebaron, Paulo Garcia, Robert Blum, and Steve Beran!

The chat will be a moderated event; users will send in their questions to a specific channel operator or other location (to be announced at chat time), and we will pick the best ones to post onto the channel for the team to answer. The chat should last for about an hour. We doubt we'll be able to get to everyone's questions, but we will try and pack in as many as we can tonight!

So, come join us tonight, and ask your questions... maybe YOURS will be the one asked! We look forward to seeing you all!

For more information on the #mortalkombat IRC Network and how to join in on the chat, click here.

Do you have questions for the developers of Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance? Have you ever wanted to hear their opinions and see what they had to say in a live environment? Now's your chance!

MK5.ORG, in association with the #mortalkombat IRC Network, is proud to announce the return of FIGHT NIGHT, with your hosts Scott Howell and D'Arque Bishop! Fight Night will take place Friday, December 13th at 8 PM CST (2 AM GMT). Our guests will be members of the Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance development team!

More details will be forthcoming in the next few days, so keep an eye on this site for more information! We look forward to seeing you all on Friday the 13th!

More information about the #mortalkombat IRC Network, including information about how to reach it and a listing of our partner sites can be reached via our IRC portal page, located here.

If you want to see what some of the endings look like for MKDA, or you're just curious what they look like on the Game Boy Advance, check out the website of MK5.Org Forum member Agilo.

He's also posted what the normal and "Funny" credits (a GBA-exclusive) look like.

Click here to be taken to his site.