Mortal Kombat DS? Not likely, says Midway studio head

Talking to Gamasutra, Midway Games Chicago studio head Scot Bayless reveals that he’s not that eager to make (or port, or whatever) a Mortal Kombat game to the DS. Because it is, well, the DS.

I would be skeptical about putting an M-rated, unlicensed football game (referring to The Blitz) on certain platforms. That platform is aimed at an audience that isn’t interested – or if they are interested, their Moms and Dads won’t let them play it.

Same thing with the M-rated game that started it all: “we put the M in M-rated” Mortal Kombat.

Hey, there’s Armageddon on the Wii to consider, though, not to mention Fils-Aimes’ aggressive drive to get more IP on the Wii, M-rated or not. 1UP thinks this comment alone means a total shut-out for any potential for a Mortal Kombat game on the DS. We’re thinking this is the personal preference of a studio head that may or may not indicate company policy at the higher levels. But his may be a valued voice – elsewhere in the interview he discusses how he was able to make a deal with Midway bigwigs on his own terms – and make them stick.

Hmm, the screenshot above of one of the mini-games in Armageddon looks interesting, though. Why not just make a Motor Kombat spin-off for the DS a la Mario Kart? (On the other hand, what will we do with the expected gore of a Kombat-affiliated game? Hide it under the wreckage?)

Talking to Gamasutra, Midway Games Chicago studio head Scot Bayless reveals that he’s not that eager to make (or port, or whatever) a Mortal Kombat game to the DS. Because it is, well, the DS.

I would be skeptical about putting an M-rated, unlicensed football game (referring to The Blitz) on certain platforms. That platform is aimed at an audience that isn’t interested – or if they are interested, their Moms and Dads won’t let them play it.

Same thing with the M-rated game that started it all: “we put the M in M-rated” Mortal Kombat.

Hey, there’s Armageddon on the Wii to consider, though, not to mention Fils-Aimes’ aggressive drive to get more IP on the Wii, M-rated or not. 1UP thinks this comment alone means a total shut-out for any potential for a Mortal Kombat game on the DS. We’re thinking this is the personal preference of a studio head that may or may not indicate company policy at the higher levels. But his may be a valued voice – elsewhere in the interview he discusses how he was able to make a deal with Midway bigwigs on his own terms – and make them stick.

Hmm, the screenshot above of one of the mini-games in Armageddon looks interesting, though. Why not just make a Motor Kombat spin-off for the DS a la Mario Kart? (On the other hand, what will we do with the expected gore of a Kombat-affiliated game? Hide it under the wreckage?)