The Exciting Future of Mortal Kombat 1: Revolutionizing Evo 2024

Highlights

Mortal Kombat 1 is rebooting the franchise with new gameplay changes, like the Kameo system, which is expected to reinvigorate the competitive scene and attract more players.

Evo and the competitive fighting game community are currently witnessing a surge in growth, thanks to the popularity of games such as Street Fighter 6 and Tekken 8. Despite facing tough competition, Mortal Kombat 1 holds great potential to become a prominent contender at Evo 2024.

To establish a successful competitive scene for Mortal Kombat 1, consistent developer support and meticulous updates will be vital. The months leading up to Evo 2024 will play a crucial role in garnering a substantial player participation at the event.

Mortal Kombat 1 is just around the corner, and as one of the leading fighting game franchises, it always attracts fans, both new and old. What makes Mortal Kombat 1 particularly exciting is its franchise reboot and the introduction of a wide range of gameplay changes, including the Kameo system. With innovative mechanics, an extensive roster, and a current buzz surrounding the fighting game genre, MK1 is set for success. While most fighting game fans play casually, Mortal Kombat has a competitive scene, and the release of a new game will undoubtedly have an impact on fighting game esports.

At the pinnacle of competitive fighting games is the Evolution Championship Series, also known as Evo. Founded by Tom Canon, one of the lead developers for Riot Game's upcoming Project L, Evo originated in California in 1996 as Battle By The Bay, a modest Street Fighter tournament with around 40 participants. Over time, the event expanded and relocated to Las Vegas, attracting over 1000 entrants by 2009. In 2023, the tournament reached its peak, with Street Fighter 6, released that year, hosting over 7000 competitors. While Mortal Kombat 11 has been a regular part of Evo since its release, it has been one of the smaller tournaments in recent years, with fewer than 500 entrants.

Mortal Kombat 1 Will Reinvigorate Competitive Play

The most recent Mortal Kombat tournament at Evo was one of the smallest in the event's history, with a significant drop in player participation compared to MK11's debut year. There are several factors that contributed to this decline. While NetherRealm fighting games typically have a shorter lifespan than Tekken or Street Fighter, MK11 faced particular challenges in the competitive scene. The game focused heavily on grounded and deliberate gameplay, resembling Street Fighter 5. As a result, it became apparent that each character had been simplified and had only a few optimal choices for high-level play. This led to repetitiveness for many top players, causing the community to dwindle despite the game's overall commercial success.

Mortal Kombat 1, on the other hand, appears to have learned from the shortcomings of MK11. The gameplay seems more open-ended at first glance, offering characters a wider range of options. The addition of Kameo Fighters introduces additional layers of complexity and potential for player expression. Mortal Kombat 1 is positioning itself to have a more intricate metagame with ample room for player creativity. With the current spotlight on the genre, it has the potential to become the series' most significant installment. This increased freedom and capacity for self-expression should foster a thriving competitive community for the game. Based on initial impressions, Mortal Kombat 1 has the potential to elevate the series' competitive scene to unprecedented heights.

Mortal Kombat 1 Faces Stiff Competition

The future Mortal Kombat game is set up for success, although Evo 2024 is still 10 months away from its release. It is expected that the game will surpass MK11 in performance and attract the largest crowd in Evo history. However, there is tough competition from the highly popular Street Fighter 6 and the upcoming Tekken 8. In order for Mortal Kombat 1 to become the main game at Evo 2024, it must maintain its competitive scene and receive support from its developers through well-crafted patches and updates. The months leading up to Evo 2024 will be crucial for the game's participation and success at the event, as Evo tournaments reflect a title's competitive health.

Although it is difficult to predict the state of competitive Mortal Kombat at next year's Evo, it is highly likely to be the biggest tournament the series has experienced in recent years. With the significant growth surrounding Street Fighter 6 and the fighting game genre as a whole, Evo 2024 is expected to be the largest Evo event yet. Even if the number of Street Fighter 6 participants declines, the presence of Tekken 8 and Mortal Kombat 1 will more than compensate for it. Fighting games have experienced substantial growth in this decade, and Mortal Kombat 1 will undoubtedly play a crucial role in the genre's competitive scene for the foreseeable future.

Mortal Kombat 1 releases on September 19 for Nintendo Switch, PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S.