Mortal Kombat 2 Must Learn a Crucial Lesson from MK1's Halloween Controversy

Article Key Points

The first major update of Mortal Kombat 1 includes quality-of-life changes, balance adjustments, new stages, skins, and a Halloween-themed fatality.

The high cost of the new fatality in the in-game store has sparked controversy among fans, leading to concerns about Mortal Kombat 1's monetization strategy. Released last month, Mortal Kombat 1 not only introduced a new storyline but also revamped gameplay, including a unique assist system with Kameo Fighters. This sets it apart from other popular fighting games like Street Fighter 6. Additionally, the game has embraced the concept of live service titles with seasonal content, evident through the new Invasion mode. While in-game stores have been a feature in previous Mortal Kombat games, a recent major update has highlighted a change in what is being offered this time around.

The first major update of Mortal Kombat 1 focused on improving the overall gameplay experience, with significant changes made to enhance quality of life and balance. While the full impact on the metagame is yet to be determined, notable tweaks include a substantial nerf to the Kameo System and adjustments to the damage scaling of numerous characters. Additionally, the update brings exciting new content to the game, including new stages, skins, and the opportunity to unlock a fresh fatality. Among this added content is an evening variation of Wu Shi Academy.

A Halloween Variation of Johnny Cage's Mansion

The addition of a Halloween Fatality to the in-game storefront

Additional Skins in the in-game storefront

Mortal Kombat's First Paid Fatality is Expensive

The recent update of Mortal Kombat 1 included the first paid fatality in the in-game store. A seasonally-themed fatality, perfect for Halloween, fits well with the spooky atmosphere that Mortal Kombat has always portrayed. It shares similarities with many horror films that fans enjoy during this time of year. However, despite its positive addition to the game, there has been controversy surrounding the price tag, and understandably so. With Mortal Kombat being a $70 game, the new fatality comes with a hefty price of roughly $10. This pricing has raised concerns, especially when considering that previous games provided fatalities for free or as part of other significant content updates.

Unfortunately, this trend is not unique to Mortal Kombat. Just a few months ago, Street Fighter 6 introduced TMNT skins, each costing $15. Maintaining live service competitive games comes with high expenses, but both the TMNT costumes and Halloween fatality serve as a poor example of how to monetize effectively. DLC that is excessively costly leaves a lingering impression of greed and turns off many fans. Compared to previous entries in the series, Mortal Kombat 1 has generated less excitement. The inclusion of a controversial balance patch alongside the game's first paid fatality and other expensive skins has further eroded the game's positive reception.

Mortal Kombat 2 Can Do Better In a Few Ways

Mortal Kombat 2 can enhance its first entry in the new timeline by implementing improvements in various areas. One crucial aspect that can contribute to this is the developers gaining more experience. With the inclusion of Kameo Fighters as a fresh addition, the presence of assists alters the game's balance. Keeping Kameos in the game would be advantageous as the developers can utilize their newfound expertise to fine-tune them. Additionally, Mortal Kombat 2 has the potential to enhance player experience by minimizing microtransactions. Rather than solely selling seasonal fatalities and skins, the game could also offer opportunities for players to unlock them through gameplay. Even if this entails a significant investment of time, it would be preferable to solely relying on paid options for acquisition.

Free to Play Could Be A Strong Fit for Mortal Kombat

To mitigate the impact of these costly add-ons, an alternate approach for Mortal Kombat 2 would be to adopt a free-to-play model. In the realm of free-to-play gaming, it is more acceptable to charge approximately $10 for a single microtransaction. Considering the continuous nature of fighting games like Mortal Kombat, developers might be able to successfully implement a free-to-play model, albeit at the expense of the series' beloved story modes. Rather than revamping the entire series to accommodate expensive microtransactions, NetherRealm and WB Games ought to explore alternative methods to unlock microtransactions for MK1 and its sequel in the future.

Scheduled for release in 2023, Mortal Kombat 1 is the highly anticipated 12th installment of the Warner Bros' flagship franchise. This game is not only a soft reboot but also promises familiar features such as a captivating single-player campaign and exhilarating online multiplayer. Additionally, fans will be introduced to exciting new fighters known as Kameo Fighters.

Franchise: Mortal Kombat

Platform(s): PC, PS5, Switch, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S

Release Date: September 19, 2023

Developer: NetherRealm Studios

Publisher: Warner Bros. Games

Genre: Fighting

ESRB Rating: M for Mature 17+ (Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language)

Estimated Gameplay Time: 7 Hours

Metascore: 83

PS Plus Availability: Not Available

Editor's P/S

As an enthusiastic fan of the Mortal Kombat series, I am thrilled to see the release of the first major update for Mortal Kombat 1. The new stages, skins, and Halloween-themed fatality add exciting content to the game, and the balance adjustments and quality-of-life changes are a welcome improvement. However, I share the concerns of many fans regarding the monetization tactics employed in Mortal Kombat 1.

The high cost of the new Halloween fatality has sparked controversy, and it is understandable why many feel that it is overpriced. Previous Mortal Kombat games have provided fatalities for free or as part of other significant content updates, so it is disappointing to see that Mortal Kombat 1 is now charging for them. This trend of expensive microtransactions is becoming all too common in the gaming industry, and it is a practice that I believe is harmful to the overall gaming experience. I hope that Mortal Kombat 2 will learn from the controversy surrounding the Halloween fatality and adopt a more player-friendly approach to monetization.