Mortal Kombat 1 Definitive Edition Release Triggers Fan Backlash

Warner Bros. Games has unveiled the Mortal Kombat 1: Definitive Edition, touting it as "the most extensive version" of the iconic fighting game. However, this release has raised eyebrows among fans, who fear that NetherRealm might be moving on from the game, potentially halting future DLC characters and significant content updates.

The Definitive Edition bundles the main game with all previously released downloadable content, such as 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, along with a Mortal Kombat (2021) movie skin for Sub-Zero and a tournament-themed outfit for Liu Kang.

For many fans, the release of the Definitive Edition marks the end of the road for Mortal Kombat 1. While Warner Bros. is well-known for releasing definitive and ultimate editions, the current sentiment around this release suggests a more final chapter. With no forthcoming announcements about a Kombat Pack 3 or other substantial content, the community believes that the T-1000 guest character released in March 2025 will be the last addition to the game.

This prospect has left hardcore fans disheartened, as they had hoped for extended support for the game. A September 2024 tweet from NetherRealm development chief Ed Boon attempted to quell these concerns, stating, "NetherRealm is still fully committed to supporting Mortal Kombat 1 for a long time to come." Yet, the release of the Definitive Edition casts doubt on that promise.

Frustration is palpable on social platforms. One redditor commented, "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 pointed out, "MK1 officially has a shorter content lifespan than the f\*\*\*ing Texas Chainsaw Massacre game."

NRS promises Multi year support> support ends after 2 years. every time
byu/AndrewTheSouless inMortalKombat

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For context, NetherRealm announced the cessation of DLC for Mortal Kombat 11 in July 2021, two years and three months after its release, coinciding with the start of work on Mortal Kombat 1. No similar announcement has yet been made for Mortal Kombat 1.

The game saw a brief resurgence in January with the secret fight featuring Floyd, the pink ninja teased by Ed Boon for years. This community effort injected some excitement back into the game, but it remains a rare highlight in an otherwise underwhelming experience for many core fans.

The T-1000 Terminator was the final DLC character added to Mortal Kombat 1 as part of the Khaos Reigns expansion, joining the likes of Cyrax, Sektor, Noob Saibot, Ghostface, and Conan the Barbarian. Amidst questions about the game's sales performance, fans have been eagerly awaiting news of a Kombat Pack 3.

Despite these concerns, Warner Bros. Discovery remains confident in the Mortal Kombat franchise. In November, CEO David Zaslav stated that the company plans to focus on just four titles, including Mortal Kombat.

Good job guys
byu/SauloPMB inMortalKombat

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Speculation abounds about NetherRealm's next project, with many expecting an Injustice 3, though neither NetherRealm nor Warner Bros. has confirmed this. The Injustice series began with Injustice: Gods Among Us in 2013, followed by Injustice 2 in 2017. Initially, it seemed the studio would alternate between Mortal Kombat and Injustice, but the release of Mortal Kombat 1 in 2023 disrupted this pattern.

In a June 2023 interview with IGN, Ed Boon hinted at the reasons behind the decision to release another Mortal Kombat game. He cited the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the switch to a newer version of the Unreal game engine (from Unreal Engine 3 in Mortal Kombat 11 to Unreal Engine 4 in Mortal Kombat 1) as key factors. Boon reassured fans that the door is not closed on the Injustice franchise, saying, "Not at all."

Mortal Kombat 1 has sold 5 million copies, bringing the franchise's total to 100 million. While Mortal Kombat 11 became the best-selling game in the series, surpassing Mortal Kombat X's nearly 11 million units sold worldwide and reaching over 15 million copies by 2022, Mortal Kombat 1 has underperformed in comparison to its predecessors.