By James P. Miller, Tribune staff reporter

9:12 AM CDT, March 20, 2008

Midway Games Inc. said David Zucker has stepped down as president and chief executive officer of the Chicago-based maker of entertainment software, and has been succeeded -- at least on an interim basis -- by former senior vice president Matthew V. Booty.

The company didn't offer any specific explanation for Zucker's departure, saying simply he is "leaving the company." Zucker had been president of Playboy Enterprises before joining Midway in the top job in May of 2003.

"Dynamic new leadership is needed to bring Midway to its full potential," said Chairman Shari Redstone in a statement.

Shari Redston is the daughter of Sumner M. Redstone, Chairman and CEO of Midway's controlling stockholder, National Amusements Inc. Sumner recently installed his daughter as Midway's chairman.

"I look forward," he said, "to helping Midway's board choose an outstanhdinbg new CEO," and added that the company already has "some highly qualified candidates in mind."

Booty, the interim CEO, has been with Midway since 1991, and his most recent title was senior vice president, worldwide studios.

Midway, best known as the maker of the Mortal Kombat game, disclosed in mid-January that its chief financial officer had left the company, and been replaced on an interim basis by Controller Ryan O'Desky.

Earlier this week the company announced that it had revised the unaudited year-end and fourth-quarter results it released on March 6.

"After further review," the company said in a regulatory filing Monday, Midway officials have decided that the full-year loss was $1.09 per diluted share, two cents worse than the $1.07 loss the company had previously indicated.

The reason for the downward revision, Midway's Monday filing said, was a different treatment of certain royalty expenses for the fourth quarter.

jpmiller@tribune.com

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