The Future of Mortal Kombat: NetherRealm's Crucial Crossroad

Highlights

NetherRealm Studios is known for alternating between Mortal Kombat and Injustice games, but the announcement of Mortal Kombat 1 breaks this pattern.

There are rumors circulating about NetherRealm Studios possibly developing a Marvel fighting game. However, it remains uncertain whether they will prioritize this project over creating a new installment of the Injustice game series.

Given the current landscape of game development, which is characterized by prolonged time and high costs, NetherRealm Studios might be compelled to focus on one significant project at a time.

Earlier this year, NetherRealm Studios unveiled Mortal Kombat 1, their upcoming project. This will be the 12th mainline entry in the franchise, with new entries being released alongside their Injustice IP in recent years. Once Mortal Kombat 1 is released, the developer will have to decide on their next project.

Apart from their work on the Mortal Kombat franchise, NetherRealm Studios is known for their Injustice games, which revolve around the DC universe. They have traditionally followed a pattern of releasing one Mortal Kombat game and one Injustice game every few years. However, the announcement of Mortal Kombat 1 marks a significant departure from this pattern after more than a decade. It is unclear why a new Injustice game has not been announced, leading some fans to speculate that the studio may be working on a Marvel fighting game.

NetherRealm Studios' Rumored Marvel Game

Rumors emerged in 2021 suggesting that NetherRealm Studios might be developing a Marvel game. This was met with skepticism, considering the studio is owned by Warner Bros Discovery, which also possesses DC. It seemed implausible that the company would create a game promoting a direct competitor.

Despite the lack of official confirmation, the rumors persisted. Ed Boon, at one point, hinted at the possibility of a Marvel game, noting that director James Gunn had involvement in both properties and that numerous storylines could be adapted for a fighting game. Additionally, Marvel and Disney have allowed multiple developers and publishers to explore the property, yielding mixed outcomes. If NetherRealm Studios does have the opportunity, they will face tough decisions once they complete work on Mortal Kombat 1.

Why NetherRealm Studios Will Have to Pick One Project Over Another

Currently, Injustice 3 seems like a distant hope for fans, given the six-year gap since the release of the last game. Speculation about a sequel is nonexistent, and NetherRealm has not officially announced any development. Once Mortal Kombat 1 is finished, NetherRealm Studios will probably have to decide between creating a new Injustice game or a Marvel fighting game, should the opportunity arise.

The truth is that game development today is more time-consuming and costly compared to ten years ago. Regardless of which project NetherRealm Studios pursues, it will likely require approximately five years to complete, utilizing all of their talent and resources. Expecting the studio to handle multiple projects simultaneously and release them promptly would be practically impossible, making it necessary to choose one over the other.

The future plans of NetherRealm Studios remain uncertain. While the next installment of the Mortal Kombat game is scheduled for release next month, the developer is expected to continue creating new content for it in the foreseeable future. Fans will only become aware of the studio's plans when they are ready to be unveiled. The previous Mortal Kombat game experienced multiple leaks, but NetherRealm Studios generally maintains a tight lid on project details until a few months prior to launch. Irrespective of their decision, the developer will face a significant choice after the release of their latest game.

Mortal Kombat 1 is slated to launch on September 19, 2023, for Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S.