Is the team behind Mortal Kombat really that hot a commodity right now? Sure, Mortal Kombat Vs. DC Universe was fun, but it certainly wasn’t a good game. The team themselves seem to think they could be doing a bit better than they are — under Midway at least. Kotaku is reporting that sources have told them that the team responsible for the MK games is looking to form its own studio and is in active talks with other publishers. Not good news for the beyond-struggling Midway.
The team, which is made up of about 50 developers, is citing the lack of payments of bonuses promised to them thanks to MK Vs. DC meeting certain sales mark as the straw that finally broke the camels back. But not nearly their only complaint. The devs are tired of Midway’s treatment of the franchise, and are upset about Midway’s handling of the bankruptcy thing. They possibly also know when to abandon a sinking ship before they get to Davey Jones’s locker.
As for Midway, they’re sticking to the company line and claiming the MK team is in “good shape.” They do want to stress that not paying those bonuses isn’t their fault — it’s those pesky creditors who are being the big jerks. They seem to forget that it’s Midway’s piss poor management that has gotten them to this point, and thus it is their fault. Of course they might not feel the blow that much; just because the team leaves doesn’t mean the franchise does. While the team owns part of the rights Midway, owns part too, and it won’t be easy (emotionally or legally) for the devs to leave the franchise they created behind, that’s for sure. Clearly a sticky situation.
Pardon me for saying this, but doesn’t the Mortal Kombat team need some fresh life pumped into it anyway?
