Warner Bros. Games has announced and released Mortal Kombat 1: Definitive Edition, which they've heralded as "the most extensive version" of this iconic fighting game. However, the launch of this edition has raised concerns among fans that NetherRealm Studios might have shifted their focus away from Mortal Kombat 1, potentially signaling the end of new DLC characters and major content updates.
The Mortal Kombat 1: Definitive Edition bundles the base game with all previously released downloadable content, including the Khaos Reigns story expansion, Kombat Pack 1, and Kombat Pack 2. It also introduces new character skins inspired by the upcoming Mortal Kombat 2 film for Johnny Cage, Kitana, Scorpion, and Shao Khan, a Mortal Kombat (2021) movie skin for Sub-Zero, and a tournament-themed outfit for Liu Kang.
For the dedicated fanbase, the Definitive Edition feels like the final chapter for Mortal Kombat 1. Although Warner Bros. is known for releasing definitive editions, this release carries an air of finality, especially with no forthcoming announcements about a Kombat Pack 3 or other substantial updates. Fans are worried that the T-1000 guest character, slated for release in March 2025, might be the last addition to the game.
This potential end of support is a major letdown for hardcore fans who expected longer-term commitment to the game. A tweet from NetherRealm's development chief Ed Boon in September 2024, where he reassured fans that the studio was "fully committed to supporting Mortal Kombat 1 for a long time to come," now feels hollow to many.
Disgruntled fans have voiced their frustration online, with one redditor stating, "The game is done, it's their way of saying 'Goodbye! Come back the next year or two for another overly priced game bloated with guest characters!'" Another remarked, "MK1 officially has a shorter content lifespan than the f\*\*\*ing Texas Chainsaw Massacre game lol."
NRS promises Multi year support> support ends after 2 years. every time byu/AndrewTheSouless inMortalKombat
For context, NetherRealm announced in July 2021 that they had started work on their next project (Mortal Kombat 1), effectively ending further DLC for Mortal Kombat 11 two years and three months after its release. No similar announcement has been made for Mortal Kombat 1 yet.
The game saw a brief resurgence in January due to a secret fight with Floyd, the pink ninja teased by Ed Boon for years, which rekindled community interest. However, this was a rare highlight in an otherwise disappointing cycle for many core fans.
The T-1000 Terminator was the last DLC character added to Mortal Kombat 1 as part of the Khaos Reigns expansion, following other fighters like Cyrax, Sektor, Noob Saibot, Ghostface, and Conan the Barbarian. Amid questions about the game's sales performance, fans have been speculating whether NetherRealm plans to release a third set of DLC characters or a Kombat Pack 3.
Despite this, Warner Bros. Discovery remains confident in the Mortal Kombat franchise. In November, CEO David Zaslav stated that the company plans to focus heavily on just four titles, one of which is Mortal Kombat.
Good job guys byu/SauloPMB inMortalKombat
Many fans expect NetherRealm to release a third game in their DC fighting game franchise, Injustice, although neither NetherRealm nor Warner Bros. has confirmed this. The series began with Injustice: Gods Among Us in 2013, followed by Injustice 2 in 2017. After Mortal Kombat 11 in 2019, it seemed like the studio would alternate between the two series, but instead, they released Mortal Kombat 1 in 2023.
In an interview with IGN in June 2023, Ed Boon discussed the decision to focus on another Mortal Kombat game, citing factors like the COVID-19 pandemic and the switch to a newer version of the Unreal game engine. Boon mentioned, "We did go to a new graphics engine, Unreal. We really wanted to be careful with COVID and all that stuff and everybody staying safe. So there were a bunch of variables involved that eventually we realized, 'Okay, let's do another Mortal Kombat game and hopefully we'll get back to the Injustice games.'"
When asked directly if the door was closed on the Injustice franchise, Boon reassured, "Not at all."
Despite its success, Mortal Kombat 1 has sold 5 million copies, contributing to the franchise's total of 100 million. While Mortal Kombat 11 surpassed Mortal Kombat X's nearly 11 million units and sold over 15 million copies by 2022, Mortal Kombat 1 has underperformed compared to its predecessors.
