The Mortal Kombat franchise has reached its thirtieth anniversary, and the current team behind the franchise has released a video thanking their fans for supporting them for three decades. The video features multiple members of the NRS team, including designers, animators, and community managers, both in the office and working from home. Recognizable names such as Tyler Lansdown, the community manager and host of KombatKast, and Dan Forden, the longtime audio director, also appeared in the video.
A Tease for Mortal Kombat 12?
The video ends with one of the most famous names in Mortal Kombat, co-creator Ed Boon, thanking the fans and saying, “we’re not quite done yet.” A 12-second clip of sand falling in an hourglass follows, with the final grain exploding before the video fades to black. Although nothing is specifically named, we know that Mortal Kombat 12 is planned for release in 2023. Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav mentioned the release date during the Q1 2023 earnings call.
The Hourglass and Kronika’s Hourglass
The hourglass clip resembles Kronika’s Hourglass, the final stage of Mortal Kombat 11. In the same game, Kronika herself was defeated at the end of the game’s story mode. This tease may relate to the debut trailer for Mortal Kombat 12.
Mortal Kombat 12 Mentions
The hourglass clip is the latest in a series of teases and mentions of Mortal Kombat 12. Aside from Zaslav’s mention during the earnings call, a photo of a NetherRealm producer’s desk in January had a Mortal Kombat 12 reference. The studio’s most recent game, Mortal Kombat 11, was first launched in April 2019, with the expanded Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate releasing in November 2020.
What to Expect in Mortal Kombat 12
As there is currently no official information available, fans can only speculate about what to expect in Mortal Kombat 12. There were rumors of a crossover between Mortal Kombat and the Killer Instinct franchise, but there has been no confirmation from either company.
Type of Content
Some fans are hoping for new modes, such as an adventure mode like Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks or a Konquest mode like the one in Mortal Kombat: Deception. Others are hoping for the return of the tag battle system from Mortal Kombat 9 or the weapon-based combat from Mortal Kombat 4.
New Characters
New characters have also been speculated, with some hoping for the return of classic characters like Mileena or Fujin. Other popular demand characters include Noob Saibot’s shadow form or new original characters that expand the series’ lore and world-building.
Gameplay Changes
There has been speculation about potential gameplay changes in Mortal Kombat 12. Some fans are hoping for a new combo system that allows for more creativity and experimentation, while others are hoping for greater emphasis on zoning and counter-zoning tools. Additionally, some are hoping to see improvements in the game engine, such as enhanced physics and lighting.
Final Thoughts
Although nothing has been officially confirmed yet, Mortal Kombat 12 is set to release in 2023, with plenty of teases and rumors circulating the internet. Fans and gamers alike will have to wait until more information is available to see what NetherRealm has in store for their favorite fighting game franchise.
