While we were well aware that the WB would secure popular franchises like Joust and Spy Hunter, the currently changing trademark ownership of some classic Midway IP give us insight into what the new home of Mortal Kombat also secured. Some of it is positively ancient, like the Super Sprint spin off Badlands, and the classic Sinistar and Defender.

Trademark snooper superannuation dug up some of the trademarks transferred to Warner Bros. thus far, a list expected to expand as time goes on and the US Patent and Trademark Office gets around to it.

Missing from the list right now is Mortal Kombat, actually, which should show up as a WB property any day now—even though This Is Vegas is there.

For a very short list of what Warner Bros. didn't pick up, see this post.

Warner Bros. has contacted the United States Patent and Trademark Office to transfer proprietorship of the following Midway trademarks, Part One [superannuation]

Despite being caught up in the implosion of Midway (the game's former developer/publisher) and its own development troubles (it's been coming along quietly for years now), new publishers Warner Bros. have told G4 "This is Vegas has not been cancelled. The game is currently in production".

That's...great?

Warner Bros. Says This Is Vegas Not Canceled [G4]

Where does that leave Midway? While the name may have changed, a company spokesperson told Kotaku today that "Midway Games Inc. still exists, and the Midway trademark and games such as Mortal Kombat and This is Vegas and most of the IP library are now owned by Warner Bros."

We asked if the WB will continue to use the Midway label when it eventually releases a new Mortal Kombat game, This Is Vegas or any other title based on the classic intellectual properties it acquired.

"It will be up to Warner Bros. to determine how they will approach their branding strategy," a rep told us.

A handful of Midway employees have publicly mourned the passing of Midway Games on Twitter, which originally began life as the Midway Mfg. Co. in 1958.

"Notwithstanding the game slips and the likely delay of a return to profitability for another year, we remain cautiously optimistic that Midway will perform better in 2009 than it is expected to perform in 2008," said Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pachter, who also said that "the low point in Midway's turnaround story" is behind it.

See? Everything is going to be alright. Pachter says so.

Midway Moves Wheelman, Vegas To 2009 [Gamasutra]

A paltry three new screens away you in the gallery below. Do try to make the most of them.

The fighting mechanic was pretty basic and what you would expect from this type of open world, mission based game. You can fight everyone form the local yokels and thugs to the mascots of the various casinos. I got particular pleasure out of beating the crap out of one mascot who looked suspiciously like my arch nemesis, The Burger King. By pressing X to attack, you can build up your BuzzBomb meter which, once it's filled, will give you an special move that will send your enemy flying through the air. Beating enemies down yields casino chips that can be used later to buy more clothes, cars and other goodies.

Next we moved on to the gambling portion. At the current time they have confirmed that there will be Black Jack, Texas Hold 'Em Poker and slots with other games to be announced later. I tried my hand at a Black Jack game and did pretty well. Of course, it helps that the game has a built in cheat device for each casino game. In Black Jack, the cards are marked and going into a special mode will allow you to see What's coming up next and what the other player have in their hands. but don't linger to long in cheat mode, because the pit boss is watching and if his suspicion meter fills up, you are busted.

Where game really shone was the party mode. Your character is dispatched to a club that is rather empty and you are implored by the DJ to help her bring customers in. This is accomplished through a series of mini-games like a Cake Mania-esque bar tending gig, beating up cheesy bachelors and a rather gratuitous wet t-shirt mini-game where you spray girls down with water.

My favorite part of the club scene however, was the dancing. Based on the Tony Hawk method of combos, you can make your character pull of various dance moves using button presses. The more moves you can stack up without failing, the more points you can score. If you get really good, you can even get everyone on the dance floor to follow you in a group synchronized dance routine. It was really pretty clever and I found myself thinking that in itself would make a pretty fun game.

All in all I'd have to say that the game seemed pretty fun and the dialog was amusing. The graphics looked great and the recreation of Vegas was really well done with loads of detail. However, what we saw of This Is Vegas was pretty disjointed so it was difficult to get a handle on the overall gameplay. I look forward to seeing a more cohesive version that includes the driving mechanic at this year's E3. It is expected to ship Winter 2008 for 360, PS3 and PC.

"We are thrilled to be unveiling the first-ever videogame experience which allows players to live out their wildest Vegas fantasies," said Alan Patmore, studio head, Surreal. "Whether it's partying in the hottest night clubs, racing in underground circuits, testing your luck at the tables or getting into a barroom brawl, This is Vegas has it all."

Put the Sin Back in Sin City with Midway's This is Vegas

Open World, Lifestyle Action Experience Allows Players to Fight, Gamble, Drive and Party in the World's Most Decadent City

LONDON - February 6, 2008 - Midway Games Inc. (NYSE: MWY), a leading interactive entertainment software publisher and developer, today announced This is Vegas™, an open world, lifestyle action experience, where players will live out their Vegas fantasies by fighting, gambling, driving and partying their way through the most decadent, fast-paced and wildest city in the world. Developed by Midway's acclaimed Seattle-based internal studio, Surreal, This is Vegas is expected to ship for the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system, Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and Windows-based PC in Winter 2008.

The first screenshots, video and game information for This is Vegas are being unveiled throughout the week at IGN (http://www.ign.com). Europe will also have a selection of magazine Cover features hitting throughout the month of February.

"We are thrilled to be unveiling the first-ever videogame experience which allows players to live out their wildest Vegas fantasies," said Alan Patmore, studio head, Surreal. "Whether it's partying in the hottest night clubs, racing in underground circuits, testing your luck at the tables or getting into a barroom brawl, This is Vegas has it all."

For the latest game information, trailers and more, please go to http://vegas.midway.com.