Mortal Kombat 1: NetherRealm Confirms End of Additional Content
Sophie Laurent 
After several months of persistent rumors, NetherRealm Studios confirmed via social media that no additional content, including playable characters or narrative chapters, will be added to enhance Mortal Kombat 1 in the future. “We hear the players’ requests for ongoing support of Mortal Kombat 1, and while we will continue to provide updates through balance tweaks and patches, no new DLC or story chapters will be released from now on,” the official statement reads. The studio justifies this decision by citing the need to refocus its teams on its “next project”, which is presumably already well underway in the background.
The announcement, though anticipated, signifies the conclusion of a cycle for the ambitious reboot that was launched in September 2023. Over several weeks, speculation had been widespread regarding a halt to content development. Disappointing sales figures for the Kombat Pack 2 and Khaos Reigns expansion raised concerns, as did the quiet release of a Definitive Edition, which was widely perceived as a final chapter in the series. The last addition to the roster was the T-1000 from Terminator 2, released in March of the previous year; this character will remain the final DLC fighter for this edition. In reality, this announcement primarily signals a transition to NetherRealm’s next game. No details have been disclosed yet about the new project, but speculation suggests it may involve a return to the Injustice franchise or even an entirely new fighting game endeavor, as the genre is experiencing renewed enthusiasm with releases such as Street Fighter 6 and Tekken 8. Meanwhile, Mortal Kombat 1 will enter its maintenance phase, receiving ongoing technical support but no further feature updates. This marks a subdued end for an ambitious title that did not fully capitalize on the momentum of its narrative reboot at launch.
For those nostalgic for the classic “Mortal Monday” era, check out Sophie Laurent’s post from August 30th, where NetherRealm Studios recreates the iconic 1993 Mortal Kombat TV ad with a modern twist featuring Dave Bautista. Directed by Tom Kuntz and shot by Matthew Libatique, this new ad captures the essence of the original while rallying fans for the upcoming release of Mortal Kombat 1. Ed Boon himself reflects on the significance of the original ad in shaping the franchise’s journey over three decades. Dive into the nostalgia and excitement at Mortal Kombat 1: 1993 TV Ad Recreated and Modernized with Dave Bautista. While the news about Mortal Kombat 1’s content hiatus might leave some fans feeling a bit disappointed, there’s an exciting development on the horizon that could shift your focus and enthusiasm. Sophie Laurent delves into the recent announcement from Bandai Namco Entertainment at gamescom’s night conference on August 22nd, where they revealed that Tekken 8 is set to release on January 26, 2024. This strategic delay positions the game for dominance in early 2024, and a fresh trailer showcases an engaging multiplayer hub with avatar customization akin to Street Fighter 6’s Mii feature. Dive into the details of this promising new title at Tekken 8: Will Have to Wait Until 2024 to Play, Avatars Like Mii. For those eager to dive into the early days of Mortal Kombat 1, be sure to check out “Mortal Kombat 1: Sindel and Shao to be Available at Launch, Introduction of their Fatalities” by Carlos Mendoza (published August 22, 2023). This insightful piece highlights the introduction of two new characters, Sindel and General Shao, each bringing unique combat styles and fatalities to the roster. The article also features an intriguing gameplay video showcasing Raiden’s encounter with General Shao. Don’t miss out on this exciting preview Mortal Kombat 1: Sindel and Shao to be Available at Launch, Introduction of their Fatalities of what awaited players at the game’s launch last year.
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Marcus Thompson 
Jonathan Dubinski 
Ahmed Hassan 
