Ed Boon, co-creator of the Mortal Kombat franchise, has confirmed that NetherRealm Studios is actively pursuing another Mortal Kombat game – and the timing is genuinely significant, arriving alongside a wave of Injustice 3 rumours that have been building for months and a Mortal Kombat 2 movie debut in US theatres this week.
Speaking with Collider, Boon was direct: “We’re definitely pursuing another Mortal Kombat game, and we’re definitely doing more, as well, so there are a lot of parts on the stove – not just with games, though, with other forms of media and whatnot. So, we’ve got a lot of great announcements that are coming.” What the quote doesn’t tell us is whether the next NetherRealm release will be Mortal Kombat or something else entirely – Boon confirmed the franchise is being pursued, not that it’s next in line.
That distinction matters, because reports are swirling that NetherRealm is simultaneously gearing up for a new Injustice game – which would be the first entry in the DC fighting franchise in almost ten years, following Injustice 2 in 2017. The studio has historically alternated between the two series, which means the real question isn’t just ‘is a new Mortal Kombat coming’ but ‘which comes first, and who waits.’ Meanwhile, the fighting game space isn’t standing still – Street Fighter 6 and Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls are both actively competing for that same audience’s attention.
The backdrop here is Mortal Kombat 1, which sold 3.7 million units in its first month but fell well short of Mortal Kombat 11‘s 15 million lifetime sales – and received content support for only 20 months before NetherRealm pulled the plug, despite originally promising years of updates. It’s a track record that will be on a lot of fans’ minds when the next reveal lands.
No platforms, release windows, or project specifics have been confirmed. With Boon promising “a lot of great announcements” soon, Summer Game Fest on June 6 is the most obvious candidate for a first look. The franchise has momentum on its side with the movie in theatres – now NetherRealm just needs to deliver on it.
Are you hoping the next game rebuilds on Mortal Kombat 1‘s foundations, or does the franchise need a clean break to win back its audience? Sound off in the comments below, and keep your eyes on GameLuster for more Mortal Kombat and NetherRealm coverage.
