Topic: Midway Goes Down Under

[Karl Castaneda #2]

...to acquire Ratbag Studios.

MIDWAY ACQUIRES AUSTRALIAN DEVELOPER RATBAG    

- Developer of Upcoming Midway Title Brings Technology and Talent, and Establishes Midway Presence in Australia -    

CHICAGO, Illinois, August 4, 2005 - Midway Games Inc. (NYSE:MWY), a leading interactive entertainment publisher and developer, announced today that it has acquired Ratbag Holdings Pty Ltd., a game development studio based in Adelaide, South Australia. Midway acquired the privately-held developer in a primarily stock transaction for 418,570 Midway shares. The studio is currently working on several unannounced Midway products for both current- and next-generation systems. The studio will be renamed Midway Studios - Australia.    

Midway's President and Chief Executive Officer David F. Zucker commented, "This transaction is consistent with our strategy of adding depth to our internal product development organization and strengthening our ability to deliver high-quality, compelling and commercially successful content for current and future systems. Ratbag brings to Midway a rare combination of development expertise in driving and on-foot combat that they are incorporating into our games now in development."    

Midway's Senior Vice President of Worldwide Studios Matt Booty said, "We are excited to add this proven studio with solid management and a strong development team to Midway, and establish a firm foothold in Australia, a great location for top entertainment industry talent. We plan to leverage their talent and technology across our internal development studios, which will support our goal of maintaining our leadership in high quality development."    

Based in Adelaide, South Australia, Ratbag is an innovative developer of high-quality interactive entertainment products. Established in 1994, Ratbag's first title, Powerslide, was released in 1998 to critical and commercial success. The studio has grown into one of the world's premier racing game developers.    

In addition to shares issued as consideration for the acquisition of Ratbag, rights to acquire a total of 38,050 shares of Midway common stock were issued to key Ratbag employees as retention incentives. The rights to acquire the stock will vest in stages over a period of three years, provided the employee remains at the Company. Ratbag employees who received the rights were: Tony Albrecht, Karl Burdack, Cam Dunn, Kim Forrest, Franta Fulin, Adam Mackay-Smith, Robin Maddock, Andrew Medlin, Sadhana Pereira, and David Todd.

[RABicle]

This translates as "Midway to release a racing game every 3 years"

But Powerslide really was awesome, amazing graphcis for the time too. Since then Ratbag have amused themselves making racing games on garbage like speedway racing. Turning left really isn't thrilling.

[Dasmos]

This story made Page 3 of the advertiser today...The transaction supposedly worth US$ 7.27 million.

[Nephilim]

I remember rat bag games having a stall at the car show like in 2000, had computers set up with dirt car games with steering wheels
glad there so popular now and the orginal members being rich

[KDR_11k]

That headline minus the "down" would be more positive but now that they've got Epic they're not going to die soon...

[Shift Key]

Hurrah for a really local news story. Hell, I can even say I've met Greg Siegele (one of the two owners of Ratbag), but that was a while ago.

It is kinda sad to see them get consumed EA-style (they're being rebadged as Midway Studios - Australia) but at least they're being supported by a big company. A few years ago they were developing a RPG-style game alongside their racing games, hopefully that game sees the light of day because it sounded like a good original IP at the time.

Apart from that, not much has changed. The owners are still working there, they're looking to hire new employees, and Booty is the most hilarious surname ever.

Quote
Ratbag brings to Midway a rare combination of development expertise in driving and on-foot combat that they are incorporating into our games now in development.

How very cool! I wonder what's going on with them currently...

[mantidor]

damn you and your titles with double meanings

[Infernal Monkey]

Powerslide was indeed, a great game. Pity every other game they made after that was utter trash.