Warner Bros and NetherRealm Studios has introduced the Mortal Kombat 1 Definitive Version, which can include all of the DLC characters, new film skins, “and extra”. This newly packaged model of the gory fighter is offered now, and presents an opportunity for people to hop in with all of the content material. However this information has been met with an intense unfavourable response, and stands out as particularly dire given the latest Warner Bros quarterly monetary report.
This definitive version, which can greater than doubtless be the ultimate model of the sport, comes solely two years after its launch again in 2023. Definitive does actually imply the tip of one thing, in spite of everything. The sport has bought, so far as we all know, at the least 5 million copies and stays a excessive ranker on month-to-month downloads on consoles, a reality just lately highlighted by Mortal Kombat co-creator Ed Boon. All this feels like nice information proper? It’s, however further context paints a extra sophisticated image.
Whereas Mortal Kombat 1’s 5 million gross sales determine sounds fantastic, Mortal Kombat X bought greater than 12 million copies in its life, whereas Mortal Kombat 11 – the most effective seeling MK ever – broke the 15 million gross sales milestone. As such, Mortal Kombat 1’s gross sales efficiency appears considerably smaller than previous releases would lead you to anticipate.
Within the Warner Bros Q1 2025 monetary report, the corporate highlighted a 48% lower in income from its gaming division in comparison with final yr. This was attributed to final yr’s Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League (which underperformed), and final yr’s greater carry-over from Hogwarts Legacy and Mortal Kombat 1.
Why that is significantly irritating for a portion of followers is that this definitive version marks an finish to a brief life for Mortal Kombat 1. In September of final yr, Ed Boon went on Twitter to state that the workforce had not begun work on NetherRealm’s subsequent sport, and “NetherRealm remains to be absolutely dedicated to supporting Mortal Kombat 1 for a very long time to return.” To offer Mr Boon a break, if Warner Bros desires NetherRealm to maneuver onto a brand new sport, that is not precisely his name. I am certain he and the workforce could be cool engaged on Mortal Kombat 1 for years if they might. However given this assertion, you have to surprise how far we’re from NetherRealm’s subsequent sport if it is had solely eight months to work on it.
But it surely’s a bummer for Mortal Kombat followers! It feels as if a sport that is performing fairly effectively in comparison with different preventing video games (albeit not prior MKs) is doubtlessly getting the DLC rug pulled from underneath it. The aggressive scene will now be left with a last model, kinda hampering its potential to develop, and it will fade out from individuals’s minds as they watch for Mortal Kombat 2 or Injustice 3, or what have you ever.
Until in fact they do proceed to launch DLC, regardless of calling it the definitive version. Which… That will be wild, however you by no means know.
So yeah, spare a thought for the NetherRealm workforce, and tell us what you’d prefer to see from NetherRealm beneath!
