Highlights
Mortal Kombat 1 is expected to have two Kombat Packs, following the series' track record, but the size of these packs remains uncertain.
The addition of Kameo Fighters in Kombat Pack 1 prompts speculation regarding the game's DLC content, potentially opening doors for additional guest characters.
The reception and player retention of Mortal Kombat 1 could influence the extent and number of upcoming DLC, potentially leading to a second Kombat Pack and multiple smaller packs.
Mortal Kombat 1 was recently released with an impressive amount of content available right from the start. The developers had previously announced the first Kombat Pack, which includes six main fighters and five additional fighters. Among the six fighters, three are licensed superheroes and the other three are returning Mortal Kombat characters. With such a substantial amount of content already revealed, players can look forward to months of engaging gameplay. However, the history of DLC for the series may give us some hints about what to expect in the future.
Both Mortal Kombat X and Mortal Kombat 11 also had their own Kombat Packs. In the case of Mortal Kombat X, there were two packs with four characters each, following the typical pattern for fighting games of this genre. These packs were released around ten months apart, allowing for a steady stream of new content. On the other hand, Mortal Kombat 11's first Kombat Pack had six characters, with half of them being guest fighters. However, the second pack was smaller, featuring only three characters.
Mortal Kombat 1 Will Probably Have 2 Kombat Packs
Unlike other fighting games like Street Fighter that have longer shelf lives, Mortal Kombat games tend to release, have two rounds of DLC packs, and then move on to a new entry. It is highly likely that Mortal Kombat 1 will also receive two Kombat Packs based on the series' track record. The real mystery, however, is the size of these packs. While MK11's second pack was smaller than the first, it does not necessarily mean that MK1 will follow the same pattern with its second round of DLC.
The inclusion of Kameo Fighters in Mortal Kombat 1 raises questions about the amount of DLC content the game will receive. Having five Kameo characters in Kombat Pack 1 is a significant amount of content for developers to balance, but it also provides a substantial added value compared to MK11's first Kombat Pack.
The Reception of Mortal Kombat 1 Could Impact The Size of Kombat Pack 2
Developing Kameo Fighters will still take time, but it offers a simpler approach for developers to incorporate additional characters into the game between Kombat Packs. These characters could be either omitted or given more prominence in a potential second Kombat Pack, as there is no existing precedent for how Kameo Fighters will be handled. Furthermore, Kameo Fighters provide an opportunity for Mortal Kombat 1 to introduce a larger number of guest characters compared to previous entries.Given the popularity of the franchise, it's highly probable that Mortal Kombat 1 will have a Kombat Pack 2. However, the extent of its content remains a mystery. While Mortal Kombat 11 was initially well-received, its gameplay changes sparked controversy and the competitive scene experienced challenges in retaining players. With its unique gameplay and an abundance of single-player and multiplayer features, it's not difficult to envision Mortal Kombat 1 maintaining its popularity among both casual and hardcore fans for a significant period.
If Mortal Kombat 1 is able to maintain a stronger fan base than MK11, a potential second Kombat Pack could include six main fighters and five Kameo Fighters. It wouldn't be surprising to see more smaller packs following this initial large one. While Mortal Kombat has a history of releasing multiple DLCs for each game, the nature of these DLCs can change based on the circumstances. Leaks regarding Kombat Pack 2 indicate that the developers are considering a second pack of similar magnitude to the first, which could make the additional content offerings for Mortal Kombat 1 the largest in the series.
Mortal Kombat 1 is currently available on PC, PS5, Switch, and Xbox Series X/S.