Crispy Gamer News

Midway announced today that Hollywood action star Vin Diesel will be peeling out to retail shelves early next year with the February 16th release of Wheelman on the Xbox 360, PC, and PS3. The upcoming open-world driving game is currently in development at Midway Studios - Newcastle Ltd., and is being co-produced by Vin Diesel and his Tigon Studios video game production studio. Midway and Diesel also plan for Wheelman to eventually hit the big screen, based off a script already in development.

“We’re designing Wheelman to play like a Hollywood blockbuster,” said Diesel. “Playing this game will be just like taking control of the greatest car chases from feature films, except this time you’re in the driver’s seat.”
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Europeans that have managed to make their way to the Games Convention in Leipzig, Germany will get to witness the premiere of several Midway games. For the first time in Europe, players will get a first-hand look at TNA iMPACT!, THIS IS VEGAS, Wheelman and Mortal Kombat vs DC Universe. Fans will be able to check out all of these games out at Booth D20 in Hall 5 and get to meet TNA Superstars Christian Cage and Christy Hemme.

German entertainer Oliver Pocher, will also be on hand to host the official press conference. Pocher will be highlighting Midway’s line-up and interviewing some of its top designers and producers. Among some of the guests will be TNA iMPACT! star Christy Hemme, as well as the creators of Wheelman and This is Vegas. Mortal Kombat co-creator Ed Boon will also be presenting the upcoming Mortal Kombat vs DC Universe. and will be exclusively revealing a selection of new characters on top of the already growing roster that includes Batman, The Joker and many more of the most recognizable DC Comics personalities.

Midway Games has appointed Craig Duncan as studio head for Midway Studios - Newcastle. Craig joins Midway Studios - Newcastle with more than 10 years of senior development management experience. Prior to his jump to Midway, Craig spent over 5 years at Codemasters Software managing external and internal development and development services. In his most recent role with Codemasters he held the title of director, product development. Craig will be leading development efforts on Midway’s action-driving title Wheelman, as well as future projects at the Newcastle studio and will report directly to Matt Booty, Midway’s Senior Vice President - Worldwide Studios, who is also currently serving as interim CEO and president of Midway.

This morning Midway Games revealed its line-up of games to be shown next week at the E3 Business & Media Summit, July 15-17 in Los Angeles. The company will showcasing franchises that it has already shown off to the press extensively like its fighting game Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe, the TNA wrestling game TNA Impact!, This is Vegas, the recently released Unreal Tournament 3 for the Xbox 360, and the company’s classic gaming portal, MidwayArcade.com.

Some new games will be there as well, like the recently announced Blitz The League II, Game Party 2 for the Wii and Mechanic Master for DS; though nothing we haven’t already heard about except for Wheelman.

Wheelman is an action driving game for PS3, Xbox 360 and PC starring Vin Diesel as an undercover agent who infiltrates the Barcelona underworld to gather intelligence surrounding a covert heist. The game will be heavily story driven and will focus more on the driving than the action. Midway promises an “adrenaline-fueled, cinematic thrill ride.”

I’m not sure if Midway is holding back any surprises for E3, but at least some of its line-up is probably worth a booth stop. I’ll be scoping out Midway and every other company at E3 next week so stay tuned.