Various sources are indicating that Midway's team of developers responsible for the company's most valued asset, the Mortal Kombat franchise, is currently in active discussions with other publishers to leave the Midway and create its own studio.
The team, comprised of around 50 developers, is said to be angered by Midway's decision not to pay them previously agreed-on Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe sales target bonus incentives. The team is also frustrated with the way Midway handled it bankruptcy filing.
Midway refused to comment on the team's standing and plans, but asserted that "Midway is not refusing to pay out those bonuses. It's the unsecured creditors committee that is refusing to allow us to pay them. They're the ones holding that up."
The MK team is not under contract at Midway, so they free to leave if they choose so, but they won't be able to take the Mortal Kombat franchise with them, and they'll have to abandon their work on the next Mortal Kombat, tentatively titled Mortal Kombat 9.