While the release ofMortal Kombat 1was intended to be a bold step forward for NetherRealm Studios as both a reboot and sequel, an undercurrent of dissatisfaction has built up to recent rumors that the game could be coming to a premature end. It has come as a controversial shock to the community that the title could end up with one of the shortest life cycles in the series, but it’s also not surprising that the higher-ups at Warner Bros. Discovery could be reevaluating the future ofMK. Although leavingMortal Kombat 1behind would let many fans down, it could also be a shift that benefits the franchise in the long run.
Following lukewarm player reception to the Khaos Reigns expansion, theMortal Kombat 1year three DLC cancelation leaksseem credible. It’s still possible that these leaks will be disproven, but if they’re true, it might not necessarily mean the worst-case scenario. An entirely new release might have a better shot at making up forMK1’s shortcomings due to what could be seen as core flaws in its execution.
Continuing Mortal Kombat 1 Ultimately May Not Be Worthwhile for NetherRealm Studios
Potential Executive Orders Would Place NRS in a Tough Situation Regardless of Its Choices
With rumors pointing to WBD most likely having made the supposedcall to scrapMortal Kombat 1’s future DLC plans, the game’s developer has been left at an awkward impasse. Studio head Ed Boon might receive direct backlash from fans if he publicly addresses what is perceived as the abandonment of a flagship title, but silence fosters more frustration about a general lack of transparency from NRS.
The Ambitious Vision of MK1 Doesn’t Appear to Have Been Fulfilled
After being marketed as a clean-slate reboot with an innovative take on story and gameplay,Mortal Kombat 1has faced criticismfor the uninspired implementation of trending live service elements. Now that Khaos Reigns has possibly underperformed at a price point nearly rivaling a full game purchase, it seems increasingly probable that it simply isn’t practical for NRS to keep trying to cleanMK1’s image.
Moving On to the Next Game Could More Thoroughly Address Mortal Kombat 1’s Foundational Criticisms
MK1 is Unlikely to Stop Being a Source of Division in the Community
Based on circumstances such asMortal Kombat 11outpacingMortal Kombat 1player countsat certain points, the series' fanbase has become more fractured over the past year. Between conflicting fan opinions on Kameos, guest character prevalence, and the continued emphasis on reusing classicMKstory arcs, disagreements over preferred games have split the discourse into varying camps. A new game offers the chance to fully course-correct and revitalize interest across the board by learning from the mistakes of the entire NRS era of the franchise so far. Even though much of the negative feedback levied at the series has merit, the conflicting interests of different players would be better unified under a fresh start, rather thanMK1after it receives more major patches.
Though unlikely given WBD’s existing priorities, shelvingMortal Kombatfor some time could allow for a renewed focus on other ideas like theInjusticeIP. Fans of titles likeMKXcould be drawn in by anInjustice 3with a darker tone, and the more neutral tone surrounding that series wouldn’t marry the same baggage. By being able to embrace riskier ideas under less pressure, branching out could help to grow the studio’s portfolio and eventually breathe new life into its flagship series when it returns.
Mortal Kombat 1: Khaos Reigns
WHERE TO PLAY
Mortal Kombat 1: Khaos Reignsexpands Liu Kang’s New Era with a new story campaign and an all-new cinematic experience. Discover how Liu Kang rallies his champions and puts faith in his enemies as he battles the ruthless Titan Havik, who threatens to plunge the realms into khaos. If they fail, the New Era will be reduced to anarchy.DISCOVER NEW ORIGINSMortal Kombat 1: Khaos Reignsfeatures reimagined stories and gameplay for Klassic Kombatants Noob Saibot, Cyrax, and Sektor, while also welcoming new faces to the Mortal Kombat universe—Ghostface, T-1000, and Conan the Barbarian.ANIMALITIESAnimalities return as a free content update for all Mortal Kombat 1 owners. Morph into your favorite kombatant’s spirit animal to annihilate your defeated opponent.NEW KONTENT, MORE VALUEThe best value for Mortal Kombat 1 is now available! Jumpstart your journey with the Kollection Edition. Includes access to the Base Game, Kombat Pack, Story Expansion, and Kombat Pack 2 (Guest fighters release date TBA)* KOMBAT PACK 2 NOT AVAILABLE SEPARATELY
