Mortal Kombat surges 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 latest Mortal Kombat has 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 that Mortal Kombat 11's run of DLC ended. While some of its resources are still being levied to supporting persistent elements of MK11 like 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 third Injustice, or even whether the next Mortal Kombat movie 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 new MK could 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 toward Mortal Kombat 12 taking 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 the Injustice series. The series has taken a lot of what's made MK so successful since the reboot of the series with MK9 and 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 made Injustice a serious fan-favorite.
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What Fans Want from NetherRealm Studios
The other project that may be waylaid by focusing on MK12 would be a rumored Marvel IP. Mortal Kombat is subject to constant rumor along with its developer, and this was one of the most prominent. Since the mixed reactions to Marvel's last fighting game Marvel 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 to Injustice after Mortal Kombat 11. MK11 was very successful, but the franchise is the most-often visited by NetherRealm. Part of what made Injustice exciting 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 that Mortal Kombat 12 is 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 knows Mortal Kombat better 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 with WB has given Mortal Kombat a 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 next MK stand out even from its immediate predecessor.
Another reason why Mortal Kombat 12 could be a smart move is the general place gaming is in at the moment. If development of MK12 is indeed underway, it could emerge as the first truly next-gen game. While games like the anime-inspired Guilty Gear Strive, the next-gen port of Dragon Ball FighterZ, and even MK11: Aftermath itself are all available on newer consoles, they don't really epitomize what could be possible on the newest hardware. MK11 has a somewhat contentious relationship with the fighting game community (FGC), it still has an important place.
It's hard to argue that MK11 isn'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 love MK11 still recognizes the games' merits. There's a reason Mortal Kombat 11 is regarded as one of the best fighters of the last generation of consoles. A potential Mortal Kombat 12 could find itself in a position to do much the same with the next-gen consoles.
While it's definitely a daunting task, MK12 could 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 with Injustice 2 and Mortal 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 the Mortal Kombat crossover with Scooby-Doo that 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 the kinds of fan support Mortal Kombat receives, so it's very likely that building off of the lat game immediately could prove for the best. With the successes and missteps of MK11 fresh in the past, it's likely that Mortal Kombat 12 could truly achieve greatness.
Mortal Kombat 12 is rumored to be in development.