Midway Games Inc. announced its product portfolio to be shown at the E3 Business & Media Summit, July 11-13, 2007, in Los Angeles. This year's lineup showcases new properties, such as STRANGLEHOLD; highly anticipated next generation games such as BLACKSITE: AREA 51, developed by Midway Studios - Austin; proven brands such as UNREAL TOURNAMENT 3 from world renowned developer Epic Games and ULTIMATE MORTAL KOMBAT, Midway's top-selling fighting franchise's debut on Nintendo DS; and kid's games like FOSTER´S HOME FOR IMAGINARY FRIENDS, based on the top-rated Cartoon Network series.
"Our 2007 E3 lineup truly reflects our product strategy to develop top quality titles in a wide range of genres across all major platforms," said David F. Zucker, president/ceo, Midway. "With exciting next generation games such as STRANGLEHOLD and proven brands like MORTAL KOMBAT, along with games for the younger market and handhelds, this is Midway's most diverse and strongest lineup yet."
STRANGLEHOLD (PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PC; August) Players continue the story of Inspector Tequila created by John Woo for his influential action film, HARD BOILED starring Chow Yun-Fat. Run into danger with both fists full of lead and take down the organized crime bosses, who stepped over the line when they took your family. Stop at nothing as you destroy the entire world around you to get them back. You are a desperate man following your own rules; honor thy family; do what's right; fear no man.
BLACKSITE: AREA 51 (PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PC; September) Featuring a single-player campaign, along with multiple online multiplayer modes, BLACKSITE: AREA 51 delivers vicious combat action, next generation graphics and A.I., and a plethora of powerful weapons and vehicles. Set in present day, players take the role of a decorated military veteran charged by the government to lead a squadron of "secret soldiers," each with his/her own specialty skill set, into the Rachel, Nevada area to fight off the invasion of unidentified enemy races.
UNREAL TOURNAMENT 3 (PC; Fall) UNREAL TOURNAMENT 3 marks the return of the industry's premiere first-person shooter franchise. In the latest installment of the award-winning UNREAL franchise, players assume the role of a futuristic warrior engaged in contests of intense warfare against dedicated and skilled opponents, controlled either by human contestants online or by A.I. These brutal contests are fought with the most powerful military weapons and vehicles known to man. In UNREAL TOURNAMENT 3, players can go face-to-face with devastating close quarters weapons like the flak cannon and rocket launcher, or pick off their enemies from a distance with a high-caliber sniper rifle. Players will also be able to fully access the universe's most capable and advanced set of vehicles in his quest to dominate and overwhelm opponents.
ULTIMATE MORTAL KOMBAT (Nintendo DS, November) ULTIMATE MORTAL KOMBAT combines the visceral thrills of the classic ULTIMATE MORTAL KOMBAT 3 and the addictive puzzle action of the PUZZLE KOMBAT component of Midway's best-selling MORTAL KOMBAT: DECEPTION in a single DS-friendly package. With unlockable content, new record-keeping capability, and Wi-Fi-connected multiplayer, players will be able take UMK anywhere for fighting action on the go.
CRUIS'N (Wii, November) An all new version of the classic Midway arcade racer, CRUIS'N is coming exclusively to the Wii. Choose your ride from an impressive lineup of licensed cars and experience a rush of adrenaline as you race opponents through twelve different street circuits using the Wii Remote to steer and perform outrageous stunts. Win races and earn upgrades including: turbos, body kits, neon and nitrous, allowing you to create the ultimate ride.
GAME PARTY (Wii, November) GAME PARTY for the Wii is a collection of classic skill games from around the world, from American sports venues to European gathering spots. Using the Wii's unique control interface, you can play classics such as darts; modern favorites such as table hockey and hoop shoot, or participate in multiplayer trivia contests. More than a half dozen games are available.
FOSTER'S HOME FOR IMAGINARY FRIENDS: IMAGINATION INVADERS (Nintendo DS, November) Playing as head mischief-maker Blooregard Q. Kazoo. Goo has done it again...her overactive imagination has conjured up a group of diabolical cosmic invaders, the Space Nut Boogies. They've raided Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends and taken Madame Foster hostage in search of The Greatest Thing in the Universe, and it's up to you to stop them! Play as Bloo as you explore the Foster's house, sneak past the Space Nut Boogie guards, and gather Mac, Coco, Eduardo and the rest of the gang to rescue Madame Foster.
THE BEE GAME (Nintendo DS & Game Boy Advance, November) THE BEE GAME for Nintendo DS and Game Boy Advance lets players experience the adventures of Maya the Bee and her friend Willie as they search for their friends. A strong storm has blown through corn poppy meadow and some of the residents of the hive are now missing. Help Maya and Willie by taking on challenges and completing mini-games to find clues in the meadow, dark forest, blue pond, deep caverns and the garden to locate the other bees.
MORTAL KOMBAT: ARMAGEDDON (Wii, Available Now) Custom designed with all new controls and available for the first time ever on the Wii, players will be able to experience the latest chapter in Midway's award-winning, best selling videogame fighting franchise, MORTAL KOMBAT: ARMAGEDDON. The title includes more than 60 fighters from the entire MORTAL KOMBAT universe (past, present and future), a revolutionary Kreate-A-Fighter mode and Kreate-A-Fatality mode, plus Konquest mode and a brand new Endurance Mode.
TOUCHMASTER (Nintendo DS, Available Now) The wide variety of highly interactive mini-games made Midway's TOUCHMASTER a favorite in bars and arcades across the country. TOUCHMASTER is a natural fit for the touchscreen and stylus of Nintendo DS, and is perfect for a quick gameplay session. There's something for everyone to choose from, with a wide variety of 23 Midway's classic TOUCHMASTER games, including Trivia, Solitaire, Gem Slide and Mah Jongg. With the Nintendo Wi-Fi connection, players can connect to the Midway Tournament Network for high scores, tournaments and daily rankings.
More information can be found at www.midway.com.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
