Midway Studios Los Angeles
Midway Studios Los Angeles Inc. (formerly known as Paradox Development) was an American-based video game developer. They are best known for fighting games such as the X-Men Mutant Academy and Backyard Wrestling franchises, as well as the Mortal Kombat action game spin-off Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks. The team was also responsible for the controversially violent PlayStation title Thrill Kill, but the game was later cancelled.
| Type | Private (acquired by Midway) |
|---|---|
| Industry | Video games |
| Founded | 1994 |
| Defunct | 2008 |
| Headquarters | San Diego, California, U.S. |
Key people |
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| Products | (see Midway Games) |
| Website | www.midway.com |
History
Paradox Development was founded in 1994 by Christine Hsu and went on to produce titles for top video game publishers including Activision, Electronic Arts, Virgin Interactive (later acquired by Electronic Arts), Interplay, and Namco. In 2004 they were bought out by publisher Midway Games, where they were renamed Midway Studios – Los Angeles Inc., sometimes called "Midway Los Angeles" or "Midway L.A."
In 2008, Midway Los Angeles was relocated and merged with Midway's San Diego office. The following year, publisher Midway Games filed for bankruptcy, and in August 2009 the Midway San Diego studio was closed and most of its assets were purchased by publisher THQ, who only offered about 40% of the studio's personnel new positions within the company. Many of the laid-off developers were hired by High Moon Studios.