According to <a href="http://kotaku.com/gaming/breaking/ea-confirms-ea-chicago-is-closing-319516.php">Kotaku</a>, the development studio <b>EA Chicago</b>, home of the successful <b>Fight Night</b> boxing series, announced that it was shutting its doors today. Amongst the staff affected by the closure of <b>EA Chicago</b> are noted <b>Mortal Kombat</b> development veterans, <b>Dave Michicich</b> and <b>Josh Tsui</b>. <b>Michicich</b> and <b>Tsui</b> were a part of the <b>1999</b> exodus of several long-time <b>Mortal Kombat</b> staff team members, including most notably, franchise co-creator <a href="http://www.trmk.org/features/interviews/taofeng/tobias/">John Tobias</a>. <b>Michicich</b> and <b>Tsui</b> went on to create their own development shop <b>Studio Gigante</b> and went on to create two titles, one of which was fighter <a href="http://www.trmk.org/games/taofeng/">Tao Feng: Fist of the Lotus</a>.
After that studio disbanded, <b>Michicich</b> and <b>Tsui</b> went on to <b>EA Chicago</b> to become art directors on <b>Fight Night Round 3</b> and were believed to be working on a next-generation <a href="http://www.adamcreighton.com/blogs/gaming/2007/09/eas-marvel-fighting-game.html">Marvel Fighting Game</a>.
No word yet on what will happen to that game and the <b>Fight Night</b> and <b>Def Jam</b> franchises and where the 150 plus employees affected by this closing in the <b>Chicago</b> area will end up. We wish them luck in this transition.
After that studio disbanded, <b>Michicich</b> and <b>Tsui</b> went on to <b>EA Chicago</b> to become art directors on <b>Fight Night Round 3</b> and were believed to be working on a next-generation <a href="http://www.adamcreighton.com/blogs/gaming/2007/09/eas-marvel-fighting-game.html">Marvel Fighting Game</a>.
No word yet on what will happen to that game and the <b>Fight Night</b> and <b>Def Jam</b> franchises and where the 150 plus employees affected by this closing in the <b>Chicago</b> area will end up. We wish them luck in this transition.