Ingenious Workaround: Mortal Kombat 1 Gamers Evade Paywalls Through Console Date Manipulation
Mortal Kombat 1 players cleverly circumvent paywalls by manipulating their console's date, allowing them to unlock coveted skins once attainable solely through gameplay Avoiding unnecessary expenses, they showcase resourcefulness and ingenuity in the gaming world
Manipulating the date on your console to manipulate time-based content in games has been a popular trick, but has become less common with the rise of online-only games. However, fans have discovered that this old trick still works for Mortal Kombat 1, especially after the game's controversial decisions regarding monetization.
According to IGN, Mortal Kombat 1 faced criticism from fans for adding premium skins to its in-game shop that were previously available through Season 1's Invasions mode. This decision came after the developer NetherRealm had assured players that they could obtain the skins through a season re-run if they missed them.
Gamers quickly realized that they could still obtain these skins through gameplay by using an old-school trick: changing the date on their console. Twitter user iScream shared this tip as a way for players to earn the skins without having to purchase them, instructing them to change the date on their PS5 console to any time before November 6. Once the skins were earned, they would remain even after the console date and time were corrected. Reddit user AdmirableEstimate258 confirmed that this date change also worked on the Nintendo Switch version of the game.
It is likely that NetherRealm Studios will eventually patch this exploit. Some caution that using this method to bypass paywalls could lead to players being banned from Mortal Kombat 11's online servers or even from a console's online service.
Mortal Kombat enthusiasts are dissatisfied with the aggressive monetization of MK1, particularly given its full $70 price tag. The recent inclusion of the Invasions seasonal skins in the premium currency store is not expected to improve public perception. It is improbable that MK1 will alter its monetization approach, as publisher Warner Bros. Games is committed to live service games.
Editor's P/S
As a Mortal Kombat enthusiast, I am deeply disappointed by the aggressive monetization practices employed in Mortal Kombat 1. The decision to add premium skins to the in-game shop that were previously available through gameplay is a slap in the face to fans who already paid the full $70 price tag for the game. It is understandable that developers need to make money, but charging players for content that was once free is a greedy and underhanded tactic.
The fact that players have discovered a workaround to obtain these skins through console date manipulation is a testament to the ingenuity and resourcefulness of the gaming community. However, it is also a sad commentary on the state of the gaming industry when players are forced to resort to such measures to avoid being nickel-and-dimed by developers. I hope that NetherRealm Studios and Warner Bros. Games will take note of the backlash from fans and reconsider their monetization practices for Mortal Kombat 1 and future games in the series.
