// Workers AI · dad joke modeWhy did Midway Studios LA go to therapy? It had a midway point to work through.
 | This article needs more citations. (September 2022) |
 | |
| Type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Video games |
| Founded | 1994 |
| Defunct | 2008 |
| Headquarters | Moorpark, California, U.S. |
Key people |
|
| Products | Video games |
| Parent | Midway Games (2004–2008) |
| Website | www.midway.com |
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.[1]
History
[edit]CWS Entertainment Ltd./Paradox Development era
[edit]Paradox Development was founded in 1994 by Christine Hsu, the former CEO/CFO of Malibu Comics Entertainment, whose company owned the shrinking video game developer Malibu Interactive, Hsu was part of a series of layoffs at the company,[2] 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 1999, the company made a deal with THQ to develop a fishing game for PlayStation, but it was never materialized.[3]
The company developed its distinctive fighting game engine, first used on the unreleased game Thrill Kill,[4] and later reused on released fighting games, such as Wu-Tang: Shaolin Style for Activision,[5] X-Men: Mutant Academy and X-Men: Mutant Academy 2 for Activision,[6][7] and Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots Arena for Mattel Interactive.[8]
In November 23, 2004, Midway Games Inc. acquired CWS Entertainment Ltd., which was doing business as Paradox Development.[9] Midway announced the acquisition 7 days later; by then Paradox Development was developing Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks.[10][11][12][13]
Midway Studios – Los Angeles Inc. era
[edit]Following the acquisition by Midway, Paradox Development was renamed to 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.
Developed games
[edit]CWS Entertainment Ltd./Paradox Development era
[edit]Windows
[edit]Sega Saturn
[edit]PlayStation
[edit]PlayStation 2
[edit]Xbox
[edit]Midway Studios - Los Angeles era
[edit]PlayStation 2
[edit]Xbox
[edit]Xbox 360
[edit]PlayStation 3
[edit]Wii
[edit]References
[edit]- ↑ "Best of 2018: The story of Thrill Kill, a PS1 fighting game canned by EA for being too controversial". VG247. 2018-12-12. Retrieved 2022-08-22.
- ↑ "Christine Hsu - LinkedIn". LinkedIn. Retrieved June 24, 2026.
- ↑ Staff, I. G. N. (1999-01-07). "Gone Fishing with Paradox". IGN. Retrieved 2026-06-24.
- ↑ Staff, I. G. N. (1998-10-07). "Thrill Kill's Real Paradox". IGN. Retrieved 2026-06-24.
- ↑ Nix (1999-12-01). "Wu-Tang: Shaolin Style". IGN. Retrieved 2026-06-24.
- ↑ Staff, I. G. N. (2000-02-24). "You Can Never Have Enough X". IGN. Retrieved 2026-06-24.
- ↑ Staff, I. G. N. (2001-07-27). "X-Men: Mutant Academy 2". IGN. Retrieved 2026-06-24.
- ↑ Staff, I. G. N. (2000-05-14). "E3: Mattel Wants Your Money!". IGN. Retrieved 2026-06-24.
- ↑ Midway Games Inc. 2004 Annual Report
- ↑ "Midway Acquires Paradox Development". December 2004.
- ↑ Plunkett, Jack W. (2006). Plunkett's Infotech Industry Almanac 2006: Guide to the Technologies And Companies Changing the Way the World Thinks, Works And Shares Information. Plunkett Research, Ltd. ISBN 978-1-59392-053-1.
- ↑ Deals: Midway Acquires Paradox Development
- ↑ Adams, David (2004-11-30). "Midway Embraces Paradox". IGN. Retrieved 2026-06-24.
External links
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- Midway Games
- Video game companies based in Greater Los Angeles
- Video game development companies
- Video game companies established in 1994
- Video game companies disestablished in 2008
- Defunct video game companies of the United States
- 1994 establishments in California
- 2008 disestablishments in California
- Defunct companies based in Greater Los Angeles
- Former Time Warner subsidiaries
- United States video game company stubs