Midway resurrects Rise and Fall RTS project

Midway Entertainment has confirmed that development on recently closed Stainless Steel Studio's ambitious RTS title will be completed internally, quashing rumours regarding the closure of its San Diego studio.

Rise and Fall: Civilizations at War, designed by Age of Empires lead designer and Stainless Steel founder Rick Goodman, was initially scheduled for a release in February. The RTS title was, according to reports from former Stainless Steel employees, practically complete when the studio unexpectedly closed its doors in late November 2005.

Given the apparent state of the project at the time of Stainless Steel's closure, it would appear Midway is intent on making a number of creative changes, and a new release date of June 2006 has been announced.

Rumours suggesting a closure of the San Diego development studio began to emerge after Midway announced less than impressive recent financial results. According to reports, the studio was set to be shut down following the completion of Gauntlet: Seven Sorrows for the PS2.

The development work on Rise and Fall could well be the lifeline the studio needs to remain active, though it is possible the completion of the game could also signal the completion of the internal studio's life-cycle.