Mortal Kombatsurges in and out of mainstream focus more than almost any other franchise in gaming. The games release to fan excitement, which spawns waves of comics, animated movies, and interest in projects like miniseries and the recent reboot movie. Few series can boast of the same concurrent relevance in the market. Now that the run of the latestMortal Kombathas come to a close, many diehard fans of NetherRealm Studios and fighting games in general are wondering what’s next. With a few possible projects theoretically in the works, it still seems likely that the next game in the brutal fighter is at the forefront.
News about what the storied developer might me working on next has been a subject of debate since it was announced thatMortal Kombat 11’srun of DLC ended. While some of its resources are still being levied to supporting persistent elements ofMK11like the Towers of Time, many fans are wondering about what the core development team will be focused on next. Whether its a new game, a thirdInjustice, or even whether the nextMortal Kombatmovie would come before the next game. Rumors had swirled about a potential Marvel IP coming from NetherRealm as well, but with recent developments it seems more likely that a newMKcould be on the way first, and with some good reasons.
Due to some issues with licensing pertaining to NetherRealms' parent company WB, some rumors point towardMortal Kombat 12taking precedence. This is coming as somewhat dissapointing news for some fans of both NetherRealm in general, but also fighting game fans looking to another entry in theInjusticeseries. The series has taken a lot of what’s madeMKso successful since the reboot of the series withMK9and applying it to DC’s multiverse of heroes and villains. An engaging story mode that dwarfs many of the other offerings in fighting games and high levels of customization have madeInjusticea serious fan-favorite.
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What Fans Want from NetherRealm Studios
The other project that may be waylaid by focusing onMK12would be a rumored Marvel IP.Mortal Kombatis subject to constant rumoralong with its developer, and this was one of the most prominent. Since the mixed reactions to Marvel’s last fighting gameMarvel vs. Capcom: Infinite, it’s been a point of speculation that the monolithic comic/movie giant would be looking for new teams to create the next premier way to engage in fast-paced fighting game action with its well-known characters. There were also rumors that given NetherRealms relationship with WB and DC, that a long-requested crossover game with both of the comic titans was in the works.
It’s natural for fans of NetherRealm’s games to desire either a new IP or a return toInjusticeafterMortal Kombat 11.MK11was very successful, but the franchise is the most-often visited by NetherRealm. Part of what madeInjusticeexciting for fighter fans was seeing the developer flex its muscle in a different world. This is part of why some fans might be disappointed to hear that it’s more likely thatMortal Kombat 12is coming sooner rather than later. That being said, there are some key reasons why that could be the best move in the interest of both NetherRealm and fighting game fans in general.
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Why Mortal Kombat 12 is a Good Move
NetherRealm knowsMortal Kombatbetter than it knows anything else, that much is an easy assumption to make. Other entries from the developer have been successful, but rarely more than its premier release. And the relationship withWB has givenMortal Kombata huge sandbox to play in thus far. Guest characters like Freddy Kreuger, Jason Vorhees, the Xenomorph, the Predator, and even the Terminator have helped define the game since the 2009 reboot. Having access to this caliber of character could help the nextMKstand out even from its immediate predecessor.
Another reason whyMortal Kombat 12could be a smart move is the general place gaming is in at the moment. If development ofMK12is indeed underway, it could emerge as the first truly next-gen game. While games like theanime-inspiredGuilty Gear Strive, the next-gen port ofDragon Ball FighterZ, and evenMK11: Aftermathitself are all available on newer consoles, they don’t really epitomize what could be possible on the newest hardware.MK11has a somewhat contentious relationship with the fighting game community (FGC), it still has an important place.
It’s hard to argue thatMK11isn’t the best “full-package” fighting game on the market. The story mode is strong, it’s packed with persisent features to extend replayability for solo players, and is a solid contender in the competitive space regardless of some opinions. Any FGC member of repute that doesn’t necessarily loveMK11still recognizes the games' merits. There’s a reasonMortal Kombat 11is regarded as one of the best fightersof the last generation of consoles. A potentialMortal Kombat 12could find itself in a position to do much the same with the next-gen consoles.
While it’s definitely a daunting task,MK12could establish itself early as a contender for best fighting game of the next generation. NetherRealm has seemed very open to fan suggestion when addressing some of its issues with RNG and other reward systems, but it has built a solid foundation withInjustice 2andMortal Kombat 11. Giving options that draw in new players like the robust customization system, thorough training modes, and persistent solo options are the groundwork on which a fantastic follow-up could be built. Maybe even giving fans theMortal Kombatcrossover withScooby-Doothat has been joked about recently.
Fans were justifiably excited about NetherRealm working on other IPs. But sometimes the realities of development can waylay the best-made plans. This doesn’t have to be a bad thing though, for NetherRealm or for fans. Few franchises can boast thekinds of fan supportMortal Kombatreceives, so it’s very likely that building off of the lat game immediately could prove for the best. With the successes and missteps ofMK11fresh in the past, it’s likely thatMortal Kombat 12could truly achieve greatness.
