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 obtainable now, and affords 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 possible 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, no less than 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 very best 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 12 months. This was attributed to final 12 months’s Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League (which underperformed), and final 12 months’s larger carry-over from Hogwarts Legacy and Mortal Kombat 1.
Why that is notably 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 12 months, Ed Boon went on Twitter to state that the workforce had not begun work on NetherRealm’s subsequent sport, and “NetherRealm continues to be totally dedicated to supporting Mortal Kombat 1 for a very long time to return.” To provide Mr Boon a break, if Warner Bros needs NetherRealm to maneuver onto a brand new sport, that is not precisely his name. I am certain he and the workforce can be cool engaged on Mortal Kombat 1 for years if they might. However given this assertion, you have to marvel how far we’re from NetherRealm’s subsequent sport if it is had solely eight months to work on it.
Nevertheless it’s a bummer for Mortal Kombat followers! It feels as if a sport that is performing fairly nicely 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 remaining model, kinda hampering its potential to develop, and it will fade out from folks’s minds as they anticipate Mortal Kombat 2 or Injustice 3, or what have you ever.
Except after all they do proceed to launch DLC, regardless of calling it the definitive version. Which… That may 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!
