Mortal Kombat 1: Definitive Edition Release Triggers Fan Backlash Over Game's Future
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Warner Bros. Games has officially launched *Mortal Kombat 1: Definitive Edition*, which it describes as "the most comprehensive version" of the iconic and brutally violent fighting game franchise. However, this release has raised concerns among fans who fear that NetherRealm Studios may have shifted focus away from *Mortal Kombat 1*, potentially ending support for new DLC characters or major content updates.
The *Definitive Edition* bundles the base game with previously released downloadable content, including the *Khaos Reigns* story expansion, *Kombat Pack 1*, and *Kombat Pack 2*. Additionally, the edition introduces fresh cosmetic options inspired by upcoming media adaptations—such as new character skins for Johnny Cage, Kitana, Scorpion, and Shao Khan modeled after the *Mortal Kombat 2* movie, a skin for Sub-Zero based on the 2021 film adaptation, and a tournament-themed outfit for Liu Kang.
For many fans, the launch of the Definitive Edition feels like a symbolic conclusion to *Mortal Kombat 1*. Although Warner Bros. frequently releases definitive editions for its titles—and NetherRealm Studios often follows suit—this particular release carries a sense of finality. With no official word yet on a potential *Kombat Pack 3* or any other major additions, many believe that the March 2025 arrival of the T-1000 guest character will mark the end of content support for the title.
If this assumption proves accurate, it would be a significant letdown for dedicated fans of *Mortal Kombat 1*, who had anticipated extended post-launch support. In fact, many are referencing a September 2024 tweet from NetherRealm co-founder Ed Boon, where he reassured players by stating: “NetherRealm is still fully committed to supporting Mortal Kombat 1 for a long time to come.”
"The game is done, it’s their way of saying ‘Goodbye! Come back the next year or two for another overly priced game bloated with guest characters!’"
– Disappointed Reddit user
“MK1 officially has a shorter content lifespan than the f***ing Texas Chainsaw Massacre game lmao,”
– Another fan reacting to the news
To provide context, in July 2021, NetherRealm announced it had begun development on its next project, signaling the end of post-launch support for *Mortal Kombat 11*—approximately two years and three months after the game's initial release. As of now, no similar announcement has been made regarding *Mortal Kombat 1*, leaving fans in limbo.
In January, *Mortal Kombat 1* experienced a brief resurgence with the unveiling of Floyd, the pink ninja—a secret character teased for years by Ed Boon. The community-driven discovery created excitement and temporarily revitalized interest in the game. Still, for many core fans, it was a rare bright spot in what has otherwise been a lackluster lifecycle for the title.
T-1000 became the final DLC fighter added to *Mortal Kombat 1* via the *Khaos Reigns* expansion, following previous additions like Cyrax, Sektor, Noob Saibot, Ghostface, and Conan the Barbarian. Fans continue to speculate whether NetherRealm plans a third wave of DLC characters or another *Kombat Pack*, especially given uncertainty around the game’s commercial performance.
However, parent company Warner Bros. Discovery has expressed continued confidence in the *Mortal Kombat* brand. During a November earnings call, CEO David Zaslav stated that the company intends to focus heavily on just four gaming franchises—one of which is *Mortal Kombat*.
Many within the fanbase expect a third entry in the studio’s DC Comics-based fighting series, *Injustice*. While neither NetherRealm nor Warner Bros. has confirmed such a title, precedent exists—the first *Injustice* game launched in 2013, followed by *Injustice 2* in 2017. After releasing *Mortal Kombat 11* in 2019, there were expectations of alternating between *Mortal Kombat* and *Injustice* titles. Instead, the team delivered *Mortal Kombat 1* in 2023, a soft reboot of the franchise.
In a June 2023 interview with IGN, Boon offered some insight into that decision, albeit vaguely: “There were a number of factors, some of which I can talk about, some of which I probably shouldn't,” he explained.
Two reasons he did share included the impact of the global pandemic and the team’s transition to Unreal Engine 4 (from the older Unreal Engine 3 used in *Mortal Kombat 11*).
“We really wanted to be careful with COVID and all that stuff and everybody staying safe. So there were a bunch of variables involved that eventually we realized, 'Okay, let's do another Mortal Kombat game and hopefully we'll get back to the Injustice games.'”
When pressed directly about the future of the *Injustice* series, Boon remained optimistic.
“Not at all,” he replied when asked if the door was closed on the franchise.
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To date, *Mortal Kombat 1* has sold 5 million units globally. Meanwhile, the broader franchise has surpassed 100 million sales. For reference, *Mortal Kombat 11* became the best-selling entry in the series, surpassing *Mortal Kombat X*'s nearly 11 million unit sales worldwide. By 2022, *Mortal Kombat 11* had reached over 15 million copies sold. Clearly, *Mortal Kombat 1
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