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Midway Studios Los Angeles

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Midway Studios Los Angeles Inc.
TypePrivate
IndustryVideo games
Founded1994; 32 years ago (1994)
Defunct2008 (2008)
HeadquartersMoorpark, California, U.S.
Key people
  • Christine Hsu (Founder)
  • Matthew Booty (Midway CEO)
  • Scot Lane (Studio Head)
  • Sal Divita (Creative Director)
ProductsVideo games
ParentMidway Games (2004–2008)
Websitewww.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

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CWS Entertainment Ltd./Paradox Development era

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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

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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

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CWS Entertainment Ltd./Paradox Development era

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Windows

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Sega Saturn

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PlayStation

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PlayStation 2

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Xbox

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Midway Studios - Los Angeles era

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PlayStation 2

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Xbox

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Xbox 360

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PlayStation 3

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Wii

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References

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  1. ↑ "Best of 2018: The story of Thrill Kill, a PS1 fighting game canned by EA for being too controversial". VG247. December 12, 2018. Archived from the original on August 22, 2022. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
  2. ↑ "Christine Hsu - LinkedIn". LinkedIn. Retrieved June 24, 2026.
  3. ↑ Staff, I. G. N. (January 7, 1999). "Gone Fishing with Paradox". IGN. Archived from the original on June 24, 2026. Retrieved June 24, 2026.
  4. ↑ Staff, I. G. N. (October 7, 1998). "Thrill Kill's Real Paradox". IGN. Archived from the original on June 24, 2026. Retrieved June 24, 2026.
  5. ↑ Nix (December 1, 1999). "Wu-Tang: Shaolin Style". IGN. Archived from the original on August 17, 2022. Retrieved June 24, 2026.
  6. ↑ Staff, I. G. N. (February 24, 2000). "You Can Never Have Enough X". IGN. Archived from the original on March 8, 2024. Retrieved June 24, 2026.
  7. ↑ Staff, I. G. N. (July 27, 2001). "X-Men: Mutant Academy 2". IGN. Archived from the original on May 2, 2021. Retrieved June 24, 2026.
  8. ↑ Staff, I. G. N. (May 14, 2000). "E3: Mattel Wants Your Money!". IGN. Archived from the original on June 24, 2026. Retrieved June 24, 2026.
  9. ↑ Midway Games Inc. 2004 Annual Report
  10. ↑ "Midway Acquires Paradox Development". December 2004. Archived from the original on January 20, 2025. Retrieved June 19, 2025.
  11. ↑ 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. Archived from the original on November 23, 2023. Retrieved September 30, 2022.
  12. ↑ "Deals: Midway Acquires Paradox Development". Archived from the original on August 21, 2025. Retrieved June 24, 2026.
  13. ↑ Adams, David (November 30, 2004). "Midway Embraces Paradox". IGN. Archived from the original on June 24, 2026. Retrieved June 24, 2026.
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