Just a few years ago Warner Bros. decided to enter the video game business. It started by partnering with the likes of smaller publishers such as Eidos. These distribution deals included games like Tomb Raider: Underworld. The company certainly does not have a lack of properties to turn into video games. They are working on a Batman game known as Arkham Asylum, as well as a version of Rock Band that will feature Lego’s.
Warner Bros.’s latest push into the video game realm came today when they announced that they have bid on assets belonging to the bankrupt Chicago-based Midway Games. If the United States Bankruptcy Court in charge of facilitating the company’s bankruptcy approves the sale, it will essentially mark the end of Midway. The company’s main development studio in Chicago, as well as a studio in Seattle are part of the agreement. Warner Bros. would also acquire the Mortal Kombat franchise.
This does not mean that Warner Bros. is guaranteed the two Midway studios or the Mortal Kombat franchise. “Prior to court approval of the Warner agreement, there will be a court-supervised auction process to facilitate competitive bidding by other qualified buyers. This process is intended to achieve the highest value possible for the Company’s stakeholders,” the company said in a statement. Not part of the deal are the company’s development studios in San Diego and Newcastle, England and the TNA franchise games.
