THQ buys TNA iMPACT! wrestling game development house - News

by VGChartz Staff , posted on 10 August 2009 / 4,005 Views

After the somewhat financially harmed Midway filed bankruptcy many questioned whether the new TNA Impact! game that has been in development since December was ever going to see the light of day. Word has began to spread this week that the studio responsible for that game has been purchased by THQ, makers of the WWE and UFC games.

"Specifically excluded from the bankruptcy purchase by THQ is the contract with the TNA IMPACT! video game in development at the studio, as well as the third-party tools such as Unreal Engine being licensed for that particular game's creation.

However, part of the deal also seems to be predicated on a licensing deal between THQ and Warner Bros "in connection with a shared [game] engine developed by or on behalf of [Midway] and their affiliates prior to July 10, 2009" -- which might allow Midway San Diego's developers to use their existing engine in some way."

Since TNA has been gaining profile as of late with high ratings in the UK and Australia as well as continued praise and growth of their product for the last year, a loss like this could be harmful until the game is ironed out.

Source: Gamasutra

9 Comments

solidpumar (on 10 August 2009)

They bought developers. They don't need TNA license. They already have WWE.
They just want the cheap developers with experience on this kinda of games.
Perhaps to do the UFC wii/psp, they are planning and revitalize the WWE series.

Forager (on 10 August 2009)

Does anyone know what THQ actually gets for the $200K? Did they just buy a bunch of hardware or are there some midway games they own now too?

drakesfortune (on 10 August 2009)

THQ is finally in shape to NOT go bankrupt and what do they do? Blow their money. I know it's an important market for them, but they really should have used their money more wisely. If they go into another cycle where their games under perform, they are screwed. They owed a ton of money even before they did this.

antfromtashkent (on 10 August 2009)

I think that if they do deside to get a new game going it should be on the euphoria phisics engine....that engine was made for wresling games >_< someone needs to use it!!!!!

matty (on 10 August 2009)

WoW! I really hope THQ puts Aki Corporation behind the development of the next game. They made some of the best wrestling video games ever. Way better than the garbage coming out now.
If that happens then it will be a dream come true.