Midway has seen tumultuous times as of late, with financial losses, layoffs and studio closures marring the company"s operations.

But the publisher is hoping that the game and film property The Wheelman, starring Vin Diesel, will help lift the company"s flagging performance when the game ships February 16.

"Featuring Vin Diesel and set in Barcelona, Wheelman is a title with enormous sales potential," said Martin Spiess, EVP of international at Midway.

The statement continued, "We"re making a multi-million dollar marketing investment to make sure that gamers around the world are ready when Wheelman goes on sale worldwide, which we have planned for February 2009."

The Wheelman is a Midway property that from the start has been planned as a game-movie crossover. A script is currently in development.

Midway president and CEO Matt Booty claimed the game is "not just another run-of-the-mill, licensed Hollywood knock-off."

According to Diesel, the game intends to recreate the feel of Hollywood car chase scenes for gamers.

The Wheelman is coming to Xbox 360, PS3 and PC, and is being co-produced by Diesel in a partnership with the action star"s game production company Tigon Studios.