Ed Boon says NetherRealm is actively pursuing another Mortal Kombat, with multiple projects in the works beyond MK1 and likely tied to broader media plans, following ongoing Injustice 3 speculation and MK1's commercial success.
MP1st cites a LinkedIn resume from an undisclosed artist listing work on Injustice 3, Hogwarts Legacy 2, and two unannounced projects, suggesting Injustice 3 is actively in development at NetherRealm Studios and fueling ongoing rumors about the DC fighting game’s next installment.
Rumors claim NetherRealm Studios is developing Injustice 3, signaling a return to the DC fighting saga nearly a decade after Injustice 2. The update comes from MP1st citing an anonymous artist’s resume listing Injustice 3 and unannounced projects, while Ed Boon previously hinted in 2022 that his next project could be the next Injustice title or Mortal Kombat 12 (the latter reboot releasing as Mortal Kombat 1 in 2023). With no official confirmation, it's unclear when or if the game will release, but the report suggests a possible new chapter for the series.
New evidence—including a resume listing Injustice 3 and past statements from DC Studios and NetherRealm’s Ed Boon—suggests Injustice 3 is in development at NetherRealm, with a reveal expected within the studio’s typical 3–4 year development cycle.
An opinion piece argues Marvel vs. Capcom and Mortal Kombat are the two most missed fighting games in the FGC; a new, well-received entry for either could boost viewership and tournament attendance. Marvel vs. Capcom is highlighted as uniquely hype-worthy with no direct replacement, though Marvel Tokon exists as a separate game. For Mortal Kombat, MK1 (2023) didn’t receive expected support, and NetherRealm’s next project has been teased amid ongoing corporate changes (Netflix/Paramount), but a competitive MK game could drive publicity and showcase talent. The discussion is tied to StayMAD Podcast commentary.
The upcoming Mortal Kombat 1 update will introduce Ermac along with new features, moves, and combo strings. Cross-platform play for King of the Hill mode will be added, and Geras will have a new UI element. Reptile, Rain, and Shujinko will receive new moves, while Scorpion will get a new combo string. Ermac's Brutality pays homage to a classic Fatality, and the update is set to release tomorrow with Ermac's early access. Mavado will join the game in May.
Mortal Kombat 1's upcoming DLC character, Peacemaker, based on the likeness of John Cena, is set to arrive as an "early access" release on 28th February 2024, with the full release following in March. This marks the close of Season 3 and precedes the addition of a DLC Kameo Fighter. The remaining Kombat Pack characters after Peacemaker include Ermac, Homelander from The Boys, and Takeda Takahashi.
NetherRealm Studios has officially confirmed the Early Access release date for DC's Peacemaker in Mortal Kombat 11, set for February 28, 2024, with the full release on March 6. Despite rumors of a delay, the release aligns with the extended Season 3 timeline. However, there is no mention of Krossplay, raising concerns about its potential delay. The impact on future DLC character release dates remains uncertain, but fans can anticipate new gameplay trailers and updates in the coming weeks.
The release of Peacemaker DLC and the Krossplay patch for Mortal Kombat 11 is rumored to be delayed due to desync issues, with a leaker suggesting a delay of a few weeks. Evidence of the delay includes an extension of the Invasions season by 14 days, aligning with the rumored delay. This setback may also affect future DLC releases, including a recently announced story expansion, as NetherRealm Studios appears to be behind schedule.
Mortal Kombat 1 creator Ed Boon has confirmed that story DLC is coming to the game, with a "big surprise" to follow. This additional content reflects the studio's commitment to supporting the game post-launch, and Boon hinted that they plan to support it even longer than Mortal Kombat 11. No further details about the surprise were revealed.
NetherRealm Studios has released a gameplay trailer for Quan Chi, the next character to join the Mortal Kombat 1 roster. The trailer showcases Quan Chi's ability to summon portals to the NetherRealm and use them for teleportation and special attacks. The trailer also features Khameleon, who uses moves from famous Mortal Kombat femme fatales to assist Quan Chi in battle. The trailer concludes with a glimpse of the next downloadable character, Peacemaker, voiced by John Cena. Quan Chi will be available for early access on December 14, with Khameleon and Peacemaker joining the roster in January and February respectively. Mortal Kombat 1 is available on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and PC.
Warner Bros. has confirmed that in Mortal Kombat 1, player 2 is intentionally unable to customize their cosmetics such as gears and palettes when playing offline matches as a guest. This restriction can be bypassed by logging in with a separate account, but it requires playing through certain modes and potentially paying multiple times on a single console. However, characters and Kameos can still be accessed by all players once unlocked or purchased. This restriction has been present in NetherRealm Studios games since Injustice 2 and is unlikely to change.
After facing backlash for expensive Halloween microtransactions in Mortal Kombat 1, NetherRealm Studios has announced that players who purchased the pricey Halloween fatality will receive two additional fatalities for free. The Seasonal Fatalities bundle, which includes Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Winter-themed finishers, will be available for purchase. Fans criticized the game's monetization efforts, calling them "greedy business practices." While some see the offer of three fatalities for the price of one as a good deal, others argue that the overall cost is still too high. Expensive monetization has become a common practice in both free and paid games, with cosmetics often locked behind expensive paywalls.
Mortal Kombat co-creator Ed Boon conducted a poll asking fans what online features they would like to see the most, and cross-play emerged as the top choice with 75.5% of the votes. Cross-play is seen as an important feature in fighting games, breaking down platform barriers and extending the lifespan of games. NetherRealm Studios had previously mentioned implementing cross-play in Mortal Kombat 1 but did not provide a specific release date.
NetherRealm Studios has released Mortal Kombat 1 update 1.001, bringing new fatalities, features, and bug fixes. The patch notes include the addition of a Halloween Fatality in the Premium Store, the ability to pin moves to the HUD, an in-game Ping/Connection Indicator, and options to mute voice chat and microphone. General gameplay bug fixes have also been implemented. The store timer has been removed, and additional patch notes may be released in the future.