The heroes and villains of the FGC are set to descend on Northbrook, Illinois as the Road to Evo ups the stakes to cosmic proportions!

Crowne Plaza Chicago-Northbrook will be the stage set to host Ultimate Fighting Game Tournament 8, where tournament entrants will compete for bragging rights, Evo Series seeding points and a special grand prize of a UFGT Infinity Gauntlet! That's right! The power to remake reality will be just one of the perks available to anyone who can charge through a loaded field, May 25-27!

UFGT8 is one of the three Road to Evo tournaments Chicago-based NetherRealm Studios have contributed $1000 to [full story]. The Mortal Kombat tournament is already expected to attract a star studded field as many of the top ranking players descend on the popular event. A pool seeding system sensitive to the status and base location of players will mean distribution that offers maximum intrigue, with the players themselves apparently extended the opportunity to have an influence!

The man who dethroned teammate vVv CD Jr from the top of the Evo Championship Seeding rankings, vVv REO, will be there, along with his Toryuken final opponent, VSM Maxter! They'll tangle with a distributed list that includes top rank competitors, LB NY Chris G, IKizzLE, Kevo Da MaN, GGA Osu16Bit, Pig of the Hut, GGA Soonk. EG Justin Wong and more!

POOL F
A-Train
CurlyW
DaRealSteven
EG Justin Wong
FEAR
GGA Dizzy
GGA MOE30W
GGA Soonk
Glass Sword
Goldfishkeeper
LB NY Chris G
lurch
Slips

POOL H
AR Jody Tha Great
CEO Jebailey
DMG Juicebox
DRS | MCZ Kevo Da MaN
GGA Jeremiah
Gruntypants
iZeRo2011
Jim
NeonKurai
Nexus | SemiEvilRyu
Ravener
TFA | RZR Chauncy "TRU" Talon
vVv REOPOOL D
GGA Osu 16 bit
Alexander Smith
CoCo | Frothy Omen
Delriach
GGA Han
LESMORE
Osirun (aka Nathan Shields)
NinjapendnceDAY
Pig of the Hut
Tolkeen
Tyler Sanderson



POOL G
vVv CD Jr.
Chaosphere
D-Que Beats
FR Clint The Beast
GGA Fill Pops
IKizzLE
niu. Killphil
OTG Gengar
Rude
Shogun of Live
WCS | GGA Medina
WNBA MK Peanuts

Evo seeding points are granted to top twelve finishers, with 50pts for first, 25pts for second, and 10pts for third. 1pt is awarded for the remaining placements.

After vVv CD Jr failed to compete at last week's Toryuken event in Canada, the NFGR #1 slipped from his long reign as #1 seed, surrendering it to teammate, vVv REO! This is the first time during the 2012 Evo Series that a player other than CD Jr has held the top seed, with the dominant New Yorker victorious in the opening two tournaments.

Current Evo Seeding Top 10
1. (135pts) vVv REO [4 tournaments]
2. (101pts) vVv CD Jr [3 tournaments]
3. (52pts) FC NYChris G [4 tournaments]
4. (51pts) IKizzLE [2 tournaments]
4. (51pts) Kevo Da Man [2 tournaments]
6. (50pts) IGL DJT [1 tournament]
6. (50pts) FCP Showtime [1 tournament]
6. (50pts) m2dave [1 tournament]
9. (36pts) VSM Maxter [3 tournaments]
10. (27pts) GGA Dizzy [3 tournaments]

Update (May 26): A majority of action is set to take place today (Saturday, May 26th) as pre-registered pools [above] are thinned down. The major story coming out of the first day at UFGT8 may in fact be the flight booking errors that prevented several high profile competitors from appearing -- most prominently, vVv CD Jr, vVv REO and VSM Maxter!

Test Your Might report that the current player list progressing to final sixteen includes: GGA Osu16Bit (Kitana), Pig of the Hut (Mileena), Slips (Scorpion), GGA Dizzy (Johnny Cage), IKizzle (Sektor), ClinttheBeast (Sonya Blade), KevoDaMan (Kabal) and Tom Brady.

Discuss all the Ultimate Fighting Game Tournament 8: Infinity action on the forums. Join the online fighting stakes by adding your ID or Gamertag to the MKOmmunity Matchmaking Index! Find and share more topics in the Gameplay & Matchmaking forum.

When it comes to iconic imagery in the world of Mortal Kombat, few symbols are as thoroughly dread inspiring as the skull-faced helmet of the conqueror of realms - Shao Kahn!

Dominant since his first in-game appearance as the final boss of Mortal Kombat II (1993); Shao Kahn has spelled punishment and brutality for all who would opposed him in the years that followed! Inspired by his most recent appearance, Syco Collectibes have paid tribute to the Emperor by recreating his likeness in half-scale bust form [under threat of unspeakable torture, no doubt]!

Fit for display in any Outworld throne room; the 1/2 scale bust stands an ominous 16" x 16", atop a base decorated in skulls and symbols. Cut-off beneath the shoulder (with full chest), this paint master highlights the inclusion of fresh battle wounds, oozing red on the left shoulder and right pectoral.

The stand-out feature of the bust is undoubtedly the samurai-inspired warlord's helmet, framed nicely by rows of spikes that adorn his iconic shoulder pads. Pierceing red eyes gaze out from beneath the helmets skull facade, recalling some of the earliest images seen in trailers for the 2011 game. Those eyes allude to an impressive extra, the fact that the helmet can be removed to reveal the rarely glimpsed face of Shao Kahn!

First revealed in the official Mortal Kombat II comic and featured extensively by Malibu Comics in their series -- the unmasked face of Shao Kahn was first introduced into the world of the games by the 2005 action-adventure spin-off, Shaolin Monks. A strong jawline compliments the masked statue without compromise, while the face beneath is spared no detail, bearing an apt expression you might call proud, or regal.

Shao Kahn is the second 1:2 scale bust in the series, following the lead of Scorpion. Cast in polystone resin, Shao Kahn will cost $249.99, with customary 20% discount purchase link alternately available.

Several of Shao Kahn's minions will receive the statue treatment, with Skarlet, Ermac and Rain in various stages of production, and Mileena already complete. Motaro will feature as a 14" sculpt to scale with the standard 10" series, selected and previewed by Mortal Kombat Online [full story]. Shao Kahn is also set to get the action figure treatment, appearing soon in deluxe format with throne playset from Jazwares [full story].

Questions about this release and many more can be asked through the official Syco Q&A thread in the Merchandise forum. Celebrating twenty years of MK, Shao Kahn will appear in Round 2 of the most comprehensive character vote ever, as MKO asks, Who is the Supreme Mortal Kombat Champion? For galleries and updates, follow @MK_Online and like us on Facebook.

With the 20th anniversary of Mortal Kombat looming large over this year of the dragon (2012), Gamespot have gathered a motley crew of cast originals to take a look back at the creation of the twenty year phenomenon!

From the infamous flirtations with Jean Claude Van Damme and related licensed properties, to the experiments with technology and ideas -- the basic story is all here, as told by the people who were there. The twenty minute featurette includes unique insights offered first-hand by some of the most enduring names in Kombat development mythos.

Co-creators and lead designers, John Tobias and Ed Boon, provide early context to the placement of the original MK within the fighting game timeline. The influence of games like Karate Champ and Street Fighter II is just part of the bigger conversation, reflecting the past and then-present of a game that sought to break new ground with digitized graphics, large scale sprites, and ideas that would appeal to arcade players and fans of likeminded pop culture.

Actors who appear in the game, Carlos Pesina (Raiden), Daniel Pesina (Johnny Cage, Scorpion, Sub-Zero) and Ho Sung Pak (Liu Kang, Shang Tsung), add their personal perspectives and anecdotes about the unusual experience of filming for the game, and the early process. John Vogel (Background Graphics), Dan Forden (Music & Sound) and later MK artist, Steve Beran, further paint the picture of the times, and cultural shift that began with the influence of Acclaim and the arcade to home market.

Share your history with Mortal Kombat in the MKOmmunity Year of the Dragon anniversary thread. After twenty years, Mortal Kombat Online is calling upon the entire fanbase to answer the ultimate question -- Who is the Supreme Mortal Kombat Champion? Find more retrospective topics in the 2D Kombat Klassics forum!

Not a hoax, not a dream, not an imaginary story! Kombat comes to Canada! The Road to Evo has taken a sharp turn North, arriving this weekend in the shiny city of Toronto, Ontaro for the first-ever Evo Series tournament!

Canada's finest will have to defend from some of the top players as Evo Championship seeding points are sought out by the likes of the New York monsters; vVv CD Jr, vVv REO and VSM Maxter will invade the mapled turf of Evo pointman, WNBA Death, and STB -- who had plenty of heat with CD Jr at Final Round!

The Hyatt Regency Hotel will play host to the tour May 19-20. Day 1 Kombat will whittle the strong from the weak as competition is broadcast live via Toronto Top Tier Stream 2, 5:00PM-8:00PM! Day 2 picks up with the Top 8 on Stream 1, 4:00PM-6:00PM!

A strong list of players waiting to dethrone CD Jr at the Vegas 2012 Evo Championships is growing! After eight tournaments, Evo Seeding currently is seeing the cream rise to the top. Will CD Jr's flirtations with the eSports Pro Circuit distract from his Evo pursuits, or is this the refinement that will prepare him for a mercenary field of road weary warriors? A $20,000 prize purse provided by Warner Brothers will be a bounty sure to motivate all concerned.

Current Evo Seeding Top 10
1. (101pts) vVv CD Jr [3 tournaments]
2. (85pts) vVv REO [3 tournaments]
3. (52pts) FC NYChris G [4 tournaments]
4. (51pts) IKizzLE [2 tournaments]
4. (51pts) Kevo Da Man [2 tournaments]
6. (50pts) IGL DJT [1 tournament]
6. (50pts) FCP Showtime [1 tournament]
6. (50pts) m2dave [1 tournament]
9. (27pts) GGA Dizzy [3 tournaments]
10. (25pts) Pig of the Hut [1 tournament]
10. (25pts) IGL MIT [1 tournament]
10. (25pts) FCP Cat [1 tournament]
10. (25pts) Blackula [1 tournament]

Update (May 20): Eight road weary warriors will contest the Top 8 spots today, springing forth from a standard Evo double-elimination standard. vVv REO, NeoRussel, VSM Maxter & Milky Situation comprise the undefeated winners, while the losers bracket brings back; xSMOKEx, VSM Insuperable, EG Justin Wong & Winter Warz [via Test Your Might].

Mortal Kombat Online is walking the Road to Evo with the rest of the MKOmmunity and FGC! Help us keep track of all the exciting developments and Top 16 finishes by submitting results via the newslead form. Discuss all the Seasons Beatings action live and much more, on the forums. Join the online fighting stakes by adding your ID or Gamertag to the MKOmmunity Matchmaking Index!

Promotion for Mortal Kombat on the PlayStation Vita continues in Europe, as two more characters get the live-action model treatment!

The new campaign features Russian models, Evgeniya Rukavitsina and Alena Polurotova, posing as Jade and Skarlet, respectively. They join their three UK counterparts to complete five of the seven total female characters in the Vita lineup, continuing Europe's love affair with cosplay kombatants.

Kitana (Rachelle Glover), Mileena (Danni Levy) and Sonya (Carly Baker) were fixtures of live events in 2011, appearing prominently during the Official European Mortal Kombat tournament, and in other promotions.
The trio received their own spotlight in three official cosplay featurettes and official photography [below], before Kitana and Mileena returned in 2012 to star in two television spots emphasising the PlayStation Vita's portability.

While the Fight Anywhere, Kombat Anyone TV spots place two of MK's iconic femme fatales in the real world, the Russian ads put live-action models in arenas from the game [thumbnails below]. In a tip of the hat to scene detail from Mortal Kombat II, Jade appears in The Living Forest, while Skarlet lurks within the depths of Goro's Lair.

Photographs of Jade and Skarlet were taken by Sirmax photographer, Maxim Zayats. Special thanks to Dmitry Doronin for providing information and resources. Mortal Kombat is now available in most parts of the world, with Russia reportedly joining the PlayStation Vita revolution, May 11!

Jade and Skarlet are just two of the sixty-four characters competing in the first-ever Supreme Mortal Kombat Champion tournament! With regular polls and the help of the entire MK fanbase, we mean to conclude a question that has remained unanswered for twenty years -- who is the greatest fighter of all?

For an extensive range of previews and stories, including the evolution of the "Augmented Reality" stage and history of Tremor, consult the ever-growing new archive. Get updates and more by following @MK_Online and liking us on Facebook.

The battling boffins at NetherRealm Studios have returned once again, broadcasting a mercy mission for fans struggling with the all-new Challenge Tower created for the PlayStation Vita!

Last week, it was the impossible task of a minute-to-win it, close quarters clash with Shao Kahn that had the makers of the game extending the pro-tip olive branch [Challenge #130]. This week, the missile madness of Challenge #139 has drawn the flipping good advice of those devil designers, who, if you've made your peace, are really angels freeing you from an eternity of ragequitting!

Kabal may be swift on his feet, but in the hands of an NRS designer, this challenge looks all too easy. To avoid unnecessary damages to handhelds and surrounding environment, study the video carefully. With a pattern sequence that would make even Mario sweat bullets -- Challenge #139 is all about timing, and staying cool under pressure. If you've already got Mortal Kombat for the PSVita, cool is a cinch. If you haven't, Mortal Kombat Online may be able to help...

This is your last chance to enter our MK Vita launch contest!
We're giving away a whole bunch of portable themed prizes thanks to NetherRealm Studios and Musicskins! One lucky winner will win themselves a copy of Mortal Kombat for the Vita, so do not delay! Register and see competition details to win.

150 new challenges pit players against every conceivable threat as they duck, dodge, wipe, swipe and brutalize their way toward the elusive perfect game. Even cult-favourite Tremor gets in on the act, in the Challenge Tower cameo that shook the Earth!

Achieved impressive feats? Got your own pro-tips? Discuss the ins and outs of Kombat in the dedicated MKOmmunity Gameplay Forum! We're looking for character specialists to share their strats in the character superthreads! Get the latest by following @MK_Online and following us on Facebook.

From the Palace Gates of Shang Tsung's Island, to the very top of the Pyramid of Argus: for twenty long years, characters from multiple realms have battled it out in a tournament called Mortal Kombat! Now, the kombatants face the greatest fight as we call upon the entire fanbase for the ultimate challenge!

In the early days, you could take for granted that Liu Kang would be the hero of the hour, but as Mortal Kombat has developed in complexity, the question of who truly reigns supreme becomes increasingly open to circumstance. Many characters have risen through the ranks in arcade endings, offering dozens of possible outcomes in each game, but story modes and what ifs can never truly reflect the powers of the mightiest mortals in kombat history.

With the series' twentieth anniversary mere months away, it is time for Mortal Kombat Online to vote for the very first time! We hope to gather the entire MK fanbase to answer a question that has garnered debate across three decades: Who is the Supreme Mortal Kombat Champion?

The roster of MK characters has grown continuously over the past twenty years, making this an unprecedented vote, with newest addition, Skarlet, freshly included.

A staff pre-vote of the greatest characters of all-time determined eight top seeds, with a semi-randomized draw built around them. Each outcome will be determined by the result of a regularly updated MK Online User Poll [located top left], meaning you will decide who the true Supreme Champion is! Criteria for voting is completely up to you, but we recommend taking into account the past, present, and iconic powers of each character, to determine one true champion.

A wildcard vote between two omissions from the recent reboot has already given us our first result, producing a qualifying entry into the final bracket of sixty-four kombatants [pictured above]. It is Chameleon who will be the most noteworthy character absent from the standard, single elimination bracket, dismissed by the wildcard vote Khameleon.

After twenty years of Mortal Kombat, we ask the definitive question: Who is the Supreme Mortal Kombat Champion? Five intense rounds across three months have whittled away challengers from three decades, bringing us to the GRAND FINAL!

Sub-Zero: the Lin Kuei cryomancer and face of the series. The #1 seed, Sub-Zero has dominated the competition throughout, living up to expectations with the biggest victories of each round. The path of the tournament saw him eliminate a solid field of contenders; Daegon (R1), Frost (R2), Quan Chi (R3), Kitana (QF) and finally Raiden (SF).

Ermac: damned souls enslaved under the dark magic of Shao Kahn! A cult favourite born in arcade rumor, Ermac has grown from a red palette swap, to a fully realized fan-favourite character. A hard earned path saw him eliminate some of the biggest names in the series; Reptile (R1), Baraka (R2), Shang Tsung (R3), Smoke (QF) and finally Noob Saibot (SF).

From the Palace Gates of Shang Tsung's Island, to the very top of the Pyramid of Argus, right back to where it all began. Only one of these kombatants can be proclaimed the Supreme Mortal Kombat Champion! In this Year of the Dragon, celebrating the series' 20th Anniversary, now is the time to vote for the greatest of two. Who will reign supreme?... FIGHT!

• Wildcard: Khameleon (53.3%) d. Chameleon (46.6%)
• Round 1: Sub-Zero (86.2%) d. Daegon (13.7%)
• Round 1: Frost (63.1%) d. Taven (36.8%)
• Round 1: Sareena (78.2%) d. Dairou (21.7%)
• Round 1: Quan Chi (65.3%) d. Li Mei (34.6%)
• Round 1: Kitana (89.2%) d. Darrius (10.7%)
• Round 1: Rain (73.0%) d. Blaze (26.9%)
• Round 1: Sindel (64.7%) d. Tanya (35.2%)
• Round 1: Shao Kahn (59.7%) d. Reiko (40.2%)
• Round 1: Johnny Cage (88.9%) d. Kobra (11.0%)
• Round 1: Kurtis Stryker (83.7%) d. Mokap (16.2%)
• Round 1: Jade (65%) d. Skarlet (34%) [Update pending]
• Round 1: Mileena (80%) d. Meat (19%) [Update pending]
• Round 1: Jax (63.1%) d. Tremor (36.8%)
• Round 1: Kabal (74.5%) d. Mavado (25.4%)
• Round 1: Fujin (64.7%) d. Dragon King (35.2%)
• Round 1: Raiden (87.8%) d. Shujinko (12.1%)
• Round 1: Shang Tsung (75%) d. Bo' Rai Cho (25%)
• Round 1: Kenshi (59.3%) d. Nightwolf (40.6%)
• Round 1: Ermac (51.6%) d. Reptile (48.3%)
• Round 1: Baraka (66.0%) d. Khameleon (33.9%)
• Round 1: Cyrax (88.3%) d. Hsu Hao (11.6%)
• Round 1: Smoke (65.9%) d. Sektor (34.0%)
• Round 1: Shinnok (83.8%) d. Drahmin (16.1%)
• Round 1: Liu Kang (71.7%) d. Hotaru (28.2%)
• Round 1: Prince Goro (62.8%) d. Motaro (37.1%)
• Round 1: Kintaro (63.7%) d. Sheeva (36.2%)
• Round 1: Nitara (64.4%) d. Ashrah (35.5%)
• Round 1: Kung Lao (75.2%) d. Kai (24.7%)
• Round 1: Sonya Blade (82.4%) d. Jarek (17.5%)
• Round 1: Kano (78.9%) d. Kira (21.0%)
• Round 1: Noob Saibot (73.2%) d. Havik (26.7%)
• Round 1: Scorpion (75.7%) d. Moloch (24.2%)



• Round 2: Sub-Zero (80.4%) d. Frost (19.5%)
• Round 2: Quan Chi (58.4%) d. Sareena (41.5%)
• Round 2: Princess Kitana (51.3%) d. Rain (48.6%)
• Round 2: Shao Kahn (56.8%) d. Queen Sindel (43.1%)
• Round 2: Johnny Cage (66.8%) versus Kurtis Stryker (33.1%)
• Round 2: Jade (52.3%) d. Mileena (47.6%)
• Round 2: Kabal (61.1%) d. Jax (38.8%)
• Round 2: Raiden (64.3%) d. Fujin (35.6%)
• Round 2: Shang Tsung (50.6%) d. Kenshi (49.3%)
• Round 2: Ermac (68.2%) d. Baraka (31.7%)
• Round 2: Smoke (54.9%) d. Cyrax (45.0%)
• Round 2: Liu Kang (53.3%) d. Shinnok (46.6%)
• Round 2: Prince Goro (50.6%) d. Kintaro (49.3%)
• Round 2: Kung Lao (62.9%) d. Nitara (37.0%)
• Round 2: Sonya Blade (58.7%) d. Kano (41.2%)
• Round 2: Noob Saibot (58.2%) d. Scorpion (41.7%)



• Round 3: Sub-Zero (72.3%) d. Quan Chi (27.6%)
• Round 3: Kitana (52.9%) d. Shao Kahn (47.0%)
• Round 3: Johnny Cage (51.0%) d. Jade (48.9%)
• Round 3: Raiden (58.0%) d. Kabal (41.9%)
• Round 3: Ermac (56.8%) d. Shang Tsung (43.1%)
• Round 3: Smoke (61.5%) d. Liu Kang (38.4%)
• Round 3: Kung Lao (56.9%) d. Prince Goro (43.0%)
• Round 3: Noob Saibot (52.9%) d. Sonya Blade (47.0%)



• Quarter Final: Sub-Zero (60.4%) d. Princess Kitana (39.5%)
• Quarter Final: Raiden (56.0%) d. Johnny Cage (43.9%)
• Quarter Final: Ermac (50.2%) d. Smoke (49.7%)
• Quarter Final: Noob Saibot (55.7%) d. Kung Lao (44.2%)



• Semi Final: Sub-Zero (65.1%) d. Raiden (34.8%)
• Semi Final: Ermac (52.6%) d. Noob Saibot (47.3%)



• Championship: Sub-Zero (50.2%) d. Ermac (49.7%) [read more]

To be eligible to vote, make sure you've registered to Mortal Kombat Online and visit regularly to stay up-to-date with the latest poll. You can discuss all the tournament match-ups and voting on the forums. We want this to be a massive event, with every MK fan having their say in the overall tally! Follow us @MK_Online and like us on Facebook to share updates for the latest polls!

Back in February, Jazwares attended Toy Fair 2012, displaying tool models for some of their then-upcoming additions to the Mortal Kombat license [full story]. In three new posts to Facebook, the toy makers have taken Shao Kahn and Reptile from basic blue and grey sculpts, to two fully painted products!

Deluxe Shao Kahn cuts an impressive figure, standing significantly taller than the standard 6" Reptile. Both characters appear in their most recent guises, Reptile with a removeable mask inspired by the games.

Retaining an appropriate air of mystery; Shao Kahn cannot be unmasked, his helmet a moulded fixture of the head sculpt. He does, however, come with a removeable war hammer accessory -- a trademark weapon for the Emperor since his 1993 debut. Details of a throne playset (displayed at Toy Fair) remain as yet unknown.

Also on Facebook; Jazwares are asking fans to vote for who they would most like to see get the action figure treatment next. You must be logged in to vote.

Last year; Mortal Kombat Online spoke to Jazwares Director of Product Development, Joe Amaro, about his companys return to the MK license and their aspirations for bringing every character to life [full story]. With a growing line that includes multi packs of klassic designs, Jazwares are well on their way. For more, visit Jazwares.com.

To earn the big trophies on the PlayStation Vita, players will face the ultimate test of 150 feats in an all-new, all-exclusive Mortal Kombat Challenge Tower!

If you've already taken a run at gold, then Challenge #130 will need no introduction! At first glance, delivering 60 hits in 60 seconds to uber boss Shao Kahn may seem like an impossibly sadistic task. The boffins at NetherRealm Studios, however, assure us this is a completely achieveable challenge, providing you refrain from smashing the device to pieces, instead.

Don't believe it? Get the pro-tip direct from the source in NetherRealm Studios' latest community demonstration video [below]!

With 8 seconds to spare, Kung Lao makes ripping through 1.2 hits per second look easy! If this developer-provided example of how trivial your hours of ragefilled button mashing has been isn't infuriating enough, contemplate finishing Challenge #130 in half the time!

Earlier in the week, @Iam_FACEL3SS tweeted @MK_Online his successful run at the challenge, completed in an awe inspiring 28 seconds! Be warned -- he makes it look so effortless, those of you still struggling may find yourselves rage-ported to the DC Universe and back.

If you like a good challenge, but haven't been able to get your hands on Mortal Kombat since its release in early May -- fear not! Mortal Kombat Online is giving away one copy for the PlayStation Vita as part of our portable kombat kontest! For your chance to win one of several prizes, simply register and follow entry guidelines!

Achieved impressive feats? Got your own pro-tips? Discuss the ins and outs of Kombat in the dedicated MKOmmunity Gameplay Forum! We're looking for character specialists to share their strats in the character superthreads! Get more Challenge Tower overview from the latest NRS MKast and our spotlight on Tremor!

The latest era of Mortal Kombat may have just celebrated its first anniversary, but this is a game that is doing anything but getting old! As MK counts down to a second consecutive appearance at the Evo Championships in Las Vegas; Warner Brothers and NetherRealm Studios are reinvesting in a community that continues to grow around their most competitive entry to date.

When MK arrives at Evo 2012, it will be bolstered by a WB bonus prize purse of $20,000 -- a massive commitment that reflects the success of MK's penetration into the fighting community over the past year.

This long awaited arrival of one of America's longest running fighting franchises has been thanks in no small part to the grass roots efforts of regional tournaments, as well as the game developers themselves, who were fans of the scene heading in to production.

Series Producer and co-creator, Ed Boon, told of the push and pull between "casual" and "hardcore" philosophies in a 2011 interview with G4, "... Our designers are really into hardcore fighting and all of the mechanics that some of the more casual players don’t get into."

When Mortal Kombat Online spoke to top ranking community identity, , he discussed bluntly of the trials that MK players have faced during this seminal year, "You cannot make money playing MK. Even if you win, you're not going to make enough to cover your travel costs. Traveling for a tournament now is a huge commitment and it has to be for the love of the game."

In the next two months, at least $3000 more will be added to Evo Series lead tournaments, garnishing a typically modest kitty thanks, in part, to NetherRealm Studios themselves. $1000 will be distributed amongst winnings at Ultimate Fighting Game Tournament 8 (May 25-27); East Coast Throwdown 4 (June 9-10); and CEO Fighting Game Championships 2012 (June 22-23). These additional funds will be distributed across top eight finishers, with a top three priority [via NFGRankings.com]:

• Tournament Winner: $400
• Tournament Runner-Up: $200
• 3rd Place: $100
• 4th Place: $80
• Equal 5th: $60
• Equal 7th: $50

The growth of Mortal Kombat in eSports is also being heavily supported by Major League Gaming, who added MK to a renewed fighting game component, earlier this year. Recent deals with CBS Interactive and TwitchTV are expected to greatly increase the reach of the MLG Pro Circuit [full story], which recently featured MK in a fan voted Prize Fights special, which brought together eight of the top fighters in a cash elimination bracket. vVv CD Jr strengthened his position as the face of MK competitive gaming, reprising his role as Winter Championship winner.

Mortal Kombat Online is walking the Road to Evo with the rest of the MKOmmunity and FGC. Discuss upcoming and previous tournaments on the forums! For direct updates from around the tournament scene, follow @MK_Online.

It's kombat time! Syco Collectibes have finally released images of their limited alternate Sonya Blade statue -- a gun-toting exclusive being offered through partnership with The Big Bad Toy Store!

Appearing effectively the same as the standard 10" polystone version; the exclusive variant offers the distinction of a second interchangeable arm, additional to the energy rings right appendage, available with both versions. The hi-tech pistol references Sonya's status as an elite member of the Special Forces, and no doubt accounts for an extra butt or two in the tally of kicks, provided by her action pose.

Sonya is the latest Kombat original to reach completion. Positioned atop an 11" dragon logo base, the statue is handpainted, with colours sampled for scrutiny in images provided [thumbnails below].

This is Sonya as she appears in the latest games, compatible with the rest of the Syco 10" lineup, which includes fellow chosen warriors; Liu Kang, Kitana, and soon, Johnny Cage [preview].

As with most Syco Collectibles offerings, a 20% reduced purchase link is available for the standard Sonya statue. The variant does not come discounted, but can be purchased for pre-order through Syco, despite its exclusive status with The Big Bad Toy Store.

Questions about this release and many more can be run through the official Syco Q&A thread in the Merchandise forum. For additional galleries and more updates, follow @MK_Online and like us on Facebook.

With an eighth episode still fresh, the kombat boffins at NetherRealm Studios are delivering a 1, 2 combo of PlayStation Vita MKasts! This time it's the hardware-specific missions that make up a brand new Challenger Tower under the spotlight!

Hector Sanchez (Producer), Derek Kirtzik (Art Designer) and Brian Lebaron (Designer) are back from the last episode, running through some of their favourite new modes and the features they entail.

Test Your Slice, Test Your Balance and "Bloody Mess" missions are among the heavily interactive new features. Slice borrows familiar mechanics (with an MK twist) to utilize both touchscreen and accelerometer features, while Test Your Balance and the screen-spattering mess mode divide these features between concept-driven gimmicks.

Harkening back to the popularity of big head modes in the nineties (ala; MK4), Mini Kombat turns regular fighters into super-deformed versions dealing tweaked damage at high speeds. Also discussed; the thrilling return of Zombie missions and End Game 2 -- the uber challenging finish that promises multiple 'surprises.'

MKast Series 2 Archive:

• 05/05/2012 Episode 8 - MK PSVita Features
• 08/26/2011 Episode 7 - MK Arcade Kollection
• 08/09/2011 Episode 6 - Freddy Krueger
• 07/20/2011 Episode 5 - Rain
• 07/06/2011 Episode 4 - Kenshi
• 06/20/2011 Episode 3 - Skarlet
• 12/23/2010 Episode 2 - Part 4
• 12/03/2010 Episode 2 - Part 3
• 11/05/2010 Episode 2 - Part 2
• 10/25/2010 Episode 2 - Part 1
• 09/14/2010 Episode 1 - MKast Series 2

Mortal Kombat is available now for the PlayStation Vita in all applicable regions! Mortal Kombat Online is giving you the chance to win a copy of the game and other portable goodies. Simply register to MKO and follow kontest guidelines to win!

We recently featured another of the PSVita Challenger Tower exclusives, the return of a character who hasn't been seen since his first appearance in 2000. Learn more about this mysterious warrior in the full article. For portable updates on all things MK, follow @MK_Online and like us on Facebook.

Mortal Kombat has arrived on the PlayStation Vita! Just one week out from the official May 1 release, the game continues to receive an outstanding response, from fans and critics alike!

The only glaring flaw we've been able to identify, courtesy of a week-long MKOmmunity user poll, is that 31.4% of you don't have a copy of the game, but want one!

Providing you still have the use of both hands [that rules out the 43.8% who met Baraka, unfortunately], Mortal Kombat Online might just be able to help! To celebrate the return of Mortal Kombat to portable devices, we're giving away a whole bunch of MK portable goodies -- including a copy of the game!

Thanks to our friends at NetherRealm Studios, and the fine folk at MusicSkins, you need never leave the house without a touch of MK on your person!

We're giving away a full range of MusicSkins device covers, featuring official artwork that will adorn your various appendices as you rock out, dial out, or take out your opponents! Because of the specialist nature of these items, we're giving everyone the opportunity to nominate their items of interest from the following list!

• Mortal Kombat for the PlayStation Vita [Winner: ]
• Sub-Zero PSP 3000 Skin [Winner: ]
• Sub-Zero iPhone 4 Skin [Winner: ]
• Sub-Zero iPod Classic Skin [Winner: ]
• Sub-Zero Blackberry Curve Skin [Winner: ]
• Sub-Zero 13" Laptop Skin [Winner: ]
• Scorpion Guitar Hero Guitar Skin [Winner: ]

To enter, you must first ensure you are registered to Mortal Kombat Online. Then, simply post a comment in the forum kontest thread, clearly stating which of the listed items you would like to win! Everyone is eligible and you can enter to win as many items as you like! Winners will be drawn sometime next week, so be sure to get your entry right away!

Please note: individuals may only enter once. Users found attempting to enter multiple times will be disqualified.

Edit (May 16): Kongratulations to all the winners in our PSVita/Musicskins Portable Kontest! Individuals have been listed next to the items they won and will be contacted via e-mail. Stay tuned to Mortal Kombat Online for the next big kontest! It's a doozy!

Mortal Kombat Vita comes with a host of extra features unique to the portable hardware, and as recently featured on MKO, includes the first full fleshed out appearance of Tremor in an MK fighter! For features, news and more MKOntests delivered direct to your portable devices, follow @MK_Online and like us on Facebook.

In April, Mortal Kombat Online featured classic Mortal Kombat characters who existed in hoaxes and rumor, as well as characters who were nestled deep within the games themselves. We also began the month with our customary April Fool, pulling on references somewhere in between, to allude to some vaguely prophetic, discarded phony DLC follow-ups.

If you're at all worried about spoilers for Kombat on the PlayStation Vita, it's at this point you might like to gouge your eyes out and run screaming into the night, desperately trying to unsee what has been seen [below].

Not exactly a rumor -- Tremor was one of the characters we included in our quartet of April Fools [pictured top], before he made his triumphant return in the portable PlayStation version of Mortal Kombat, May 1.

Despite having only previously appeared in one of the most infamous games in MK history -- Tremor is a character who has amassed a massive cult following within the fanbase in recent years. Part of that intrigue may be for the relative obscurity of his only actual outing prior to the Vita Challenger Tower exclusive, but to get the full story on Tremor, we have to go deep into the past, to a time when rumor and mystery was rife.

Mortal Kombat Trilogy was released on popular home consoles in 1996, updating the Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 base with final additions to its compilation formula. MKT returned Johnny Cage to the series, introduced playable bosses, and unleashed a veritable rainbow of palette swap characters in the mode of what would become todays Klassic Skins. Not surprisingly, it's here that Tremor is said to have his origins.

Sources are difficult to come by these days, but anecdotal evidence would have it that Tremor was almost included in printed material for Mortal Kombat Trilogy, assigning his bio to Rain, opposite a miscoloured Ermac. Rain had previously made a teaser appearance in the intro of UMK3, before being fully realised as a playable character in ports to the Sega Genesis and Super Nintendo.

The misprint bio describes a former Lin Kuei assassin working for new masters, factors presumed to be present in Tremor's character in his eventual debut in Mortal Kombat: Special Forces -- a 2000 third-person shooter that introduced Tremor as a member of Kano's Black Dragon clan.

Rain is an assassin working freelance. He was once a member of the Lin Kuei along with Sub-Zero, but left the clan under mysterious circumstances. Years later, Rain is found working for Shao Kahn as an assassin in the Outworld. Born a human, he finds himself questioning his loyalty towards Kahn after watching the invasion of Earth.
- Mortal Kombat Trilogy Manual Rain Bio (1996)

Theoretically, like Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero before it; Special Forces plays as a vague, particularly ill favoured prequel to the original Mortal Kombat.
The game begins with a violent breakout of Black Dragon superhuman criminals from the "Special Forces Maximum Security Facility," told through rudimentary 3D cut scenes, and dialogues between playable protagonist, Jax, and Special Forces contact, Gemini.

Freed by Kano; Tremor is part of a group that includes Jarek (of Mortal Kombat 4 fame), and never again seen MKSF exclusive characters, No Face and Tasia. All four, along with Kano, appear as bosses at the end of each stage, taking Jax progressively deeper into the weird and wonderful world of mysticism and realms, before a final confrontation and Kano's ultimate post-beatdown escape, in Outworld.

Rendered in polygons, Tremor received a significantly bulked up physique in MKSF, particularly when compared to his digitized, UMK3 counterparts. Still closely adhering to the "klassic" palette swap design, Tremor had a muted yellow tone, (popularly described as brown), which appeared to have been a major factor in condemning him to obscurity. Tweeting in response to a fan, Ed Boon rebuked any inclusion of Tremor with some hint of irony, "... he looks too much like Scorpion. Palette swap bastard."

Assuming a counterpart role to the playable Jax, Tremor's powers were less dependent on elemental manipulation of terrafirma, instead reflecting his burly figure with Jax-style ground pound quakes, and conventional fireballs. This moveset returned for his cameo as a playable PSVita Challenge Tower character, complete with MKSF style fireball, and appropriate additional moves, even though he is still relegated to palette swap status.

So, what's next for Tremor? Your guess is as good as ours!
2002's Deadly Alliance began a process of individualizing the army of colour swap characters MK was once infamous for. Characters like Ermac and Rain continue to show that even the thinnest of Mortal Kombat premises is able to develop into a compelling creation, earning distinct designs and a clear sense of identity amidst a growing roster.

Tremor, like many kombatants before him, may have begun life as a "palette swap bastard," but has shown plenty of potential to develop into a lasting favourite, given the opportunity. The basic fascination with palette swap fighters and the loose thread of existing properties has built a strong following around Tremor, but there's much more value to be mined here.

With the unique mercenary perspective of being Lin Kuei-turned-Black Dragon, he already has an individual story to tell, and a multitude of associations to ingrain him immediately into the thick of the fiction. Existing strongman powers make Tremor an interesting, classical counterpart to arch-rvial Jax, with the fan-favourite potential to develop into an earth-centric, elemental fighter, providing many additional options.

You'll find a wide variety of fan-fiction ideas and discussions by searching the Fan Submission Forum. You can also discuss all things Mortal Kombat: Special Forces in the 3D Kombat Klassics forum, and more PSVita in Kontemporary Kombat. Special thanks to C-Sword for providing PSVita screenshots.

Columbus, Ohio will be rocked later today when Mortal Kombat conquers the day at Seasons Beatings - Summerslam!

The next stop on the coveted Road to Evo; Seasons Beatings is an Evo Series event run by Godlike Entertainment, taking the place of their previously known regional Summerslam event. Like all Road to Evo series, it comes with offerings of seeding points to top twelve finishers and a meeting for some of the top tournament talent!

Expected to begin 3PM local time, the MK event will be run in across a single epic Saturday! GGA Dizzy and GGA Wafflez will be among the confirmed competitors contesting the event -- Dizzy no doubt keen to improve upon his 1pt finishes at Final Round XV and PowerUp 2012!

The event will be streamed live online by Medina4life, with a special MK exhibition series streamed by Team Sp00ky, across Sunday.

With major victories at Apex Tournament Series, Final Round XV, MLG Winter Championships, and the first-ever 8-man MLG Fighter Arena exhibition tournament -- vVv CD Jr is left with a clear lead over the Evo Seeding race, and a legitimate claim to the title of Mortal Kombat World Champion!

A strong list of players waiting to dethrone CD Jr at the Vegas 2012 Evo Championships is growing! After seven tournaments, Evo Seeding currently is seeing the cream rise to the top. Will CD Jr's flirtations with the eSports Pro Circuit distract from his Evo pursuits, or is this the refinement that will prepare him for a mercenary field of road weary warriors? A $20,000 prize purse provided by Warner Brothers will be a bounty sure to motivate all concerned.

Evo Seeding Top 10
1. (101pts) vVv CD Jr [3 tournaments]
2. (85pts) vVv REO [3 tournaments]
3. (52pts) FC NYChris G [4 tournaments]
4. (51pts) IKizzLE [2 tournaments]
4. (51pts) Kevo Da Man [2 tournaments]
6. (50pts) IGL DIT [1 tournament]
6. (50pts) FCP Showtime [1 tournament]
8. (25pts) Pig of the Hut [1 tournament]
8. (25pts) IGL MIT [1 tournament]
8. (25pts) FCP Cat [1 tournament]
8. (25pts) Blackula [1 tournament]

Mortal Kombat Online is walking the Road to Evo with the rest of the MKOmmunity and FGC! Help us keep track of all the exciting developments and Top 16 finishes by submitting results via the newslead form. Discuss all the Seasons Beatings action live and much more, on the forums. Join the online fighting stakes by adding your ID or Gamertag to the MKOmmunity Matchmaking Index!

Hot on the heels of a fresh batch of Mortal Kombat screenshots [full story]; the fine folks at NetherRealm Studios provide a brand new MKast -- the first for 2012 -- detailing some of the key special features available to the PlayStation Vita!

With a European release date of May 4, MK Vita should now be available throughout Earthrealm. The various unique selling points of the handheld version have been much lamented, recapped here by NRS Producer, Hector Sanchez, and designers, Derek Kirtzik and Brian Lebaron.

Gameplay and aesthetic features inherent to the Sony hardware are a talking point that sets this version apart from console Komplete Editions. The inspiration of "Augmented Reality" from a high concept advertising campaign is relayed first-hand here, a feature popularly revealed during demos at the recent PAX East convention, and documented by Mortal Kombat Online [full story].

Klassic costumes based on MK's historic exploits remain a popular bonus, tapping in to the nostalgia of Mortal Kombat's franchise twentieth anniversary. Designs inspired by the first three iterations of economy sprites are applied not just to "old skool" favourites, but also characters who never actually appeared in such guises. Ermac and Skarlet are two of the rumors-turned-fact that get the retro-active treatment on the Vita [trailer].

As noted for the May 1 release date, all-new bonus kostumes were by far the most anticipated feature amongst the MKOmmunity, taking a dominant 53.3% of our vote [full story].

MKast Series 2 Archive:

• 08/26/2011 Episode 7 - MK Arcade Kollection
• 08/09/2011 Episode 6 - Freddy Krueger
• 07/20/2011 Episode 5 - Rain
• 07/06/2011 Episode 4 - Kenshi
• 06/20/2011 Episode 3 - Skarlet
• 12/23/2010 Episode 2 - Part 4
• 12/03/2010 Episode 2 - Part 3
• 11/05/2010 Episode 2 - Part 2
• 10/25/2010 Episode 2 - Part 1
• 09/14/2010 Episode 1 - MKast Series 2

As noted, Mortal Kombat Vita is now available. Discuss all the ins and outs of the new game on the forums. While you're there, share your nostalgia in this Year of the Dragon - celebrating twenty years of Mortal Kombat! Get more MKOmmunity updates by following @MK_Online and liking us on Facebook.

Just in time for the official release of Mortal Kombat across Europe, the fine folks at NetherRealm Studios have released new screenshots from the PlayStation Vita game!

The images offer a still glimpse of in-game graphics, which are said to run at a smooth 60FPS, equivalent to the console version. Mortal Kombat was released in the United States on May 1 [full story].

Pictured are some of the sixteen klassic costumes currently exclusive to the handheld version, "old skool" designs inspired by the first three Mortal Kombat titles. A zombie from the completely revamped Challenge Tower also appears, not to be confused with Meat, who makes a cameo appearance in the mode alongside much anticipated Special Forces inclusion, Tremor.

Yesterday, Atomhawk Design released new concept art from the game, offering a vivid glimpse at backgrounds from the reboot, along with a particularly fierce Kintaro render [full story]. A plethora of previews have already showcased the many unique features of the Vita, including Test Your Balance, Touchscreen Fatalities, Augmented Reality and Old Skool Skins.

Share your Vita experiences by posting on the forums. For more updates and the latest news, join the extended MKOmmunity by following @MK_Online and liking us on Facebook.

Mortal Kombat may be brand new to the PlayStation Vita this month [full story], but the reboot title officially celebrated its first anniversary at the end of April!

Adding to the continuing retrospective; Atomhawk Design have released a follow-up wave of concept resources, expanding the gallery of their contributions to the hugely successful title with images of Kintaro, The Armory, Goro's Lair, Evil Monestary and the apocalyptic vista from Sonya Blade's ending!

The UK based design studio were responsible for generating various concept arts and renders, and revealed several other backgrounds, as well as Smoke, in their last update. Many more resources were released throughout the 2011 promotional cycle, including renders for Sub-Zero, Kung Lao, Mileena, Raiden, Jade and others. A complete Atomhawk Design gallery is available on DeviantART.

Ed Boon provided his own rare glimpse of artwork from the development phase, revealing never-before-seen images of discarded cover concepts, in time for the anniversary [full story].

2012 also marks the twentieth anniversary of the Mortal Kombat franchise! Share your nostalgia with the MKOmmunity by posting in the Year of the Dragon forum thread. For more updates and retrospectives, follow @MK_Online and like us on Facebook.

You've read the previews, watched the trailers and wrenched what nuggets of truth you could from the juicy chest of rumor. After months of build-up, Mortal Kombat is now officially on the market for PlayStation Vita!

You'd have to have been living under a certain popular wrestling superstar to not know about the long list of features that make the handheld edition of Mortal Kombat a must-have!

With the console Komplete Edition as a content base; Vita throws a plethora of device-specific capabilities like so much fruit to a ninja, with interactive touchscreen capabilities, stylus real-time balancing acts, and the augmented reality you asked for! If you have been under a rock, a completely revamped Challenge Tower with cameos like Tremor should have no trouble reducing ignorant boulders to tiny fruity pebbles!

PRESS RELEASE: MORTAL KOMBAT NOW AVAILABLE FOR PLAYSTATION®VITA SYSTEM

Burbank, Calif. – May 1, 2012 – Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and NetherRealm Studios announced today the exclusive release of Mortal Kombat for the PlayStation®Vita handheld system in North America. Making its debut on the new handheld device, the acclaimed fighting franchise delivers lethal action to gamers on-the-go, priced at $39.99.

“Mortal Kombat for PlayStation®Vita allows us to bring the best possible fighting experience to our loyal fans - anytime, anywhere,” said Ed Boon, Creative Director, NetherRealm Studios. “The game runs at a seamless 60 frames per second, and provides unique gameplay modes and features that take advantage of PlayStation®Vita’s exciting new hardware capabilities. Mortal Kombat for PlayStation®Vita is the ultimate portable fighting game and provides hours of fun for mobile gamers.”

Selling more than three million units worldwide, the reinvention of the franchise was released on consoles in 2011. Mortal Kombat became the highest-selling fighting game of the year and won numerous “Best Fighting Game of 2011” awards, including Spike TV’s 2011 Video Game Awards, Game Informer, Official Xbox Magazine and GameTrailers.com.

Bringing new and exclusive content to the PS Vita system, this edition of Mortal Kombat offers over-the-top fatalities and cringe-worthy X-ray moves. Players will get to test themselves with 150 brand new Challenge Tower missions, including touchscreen Fatalities, Test Your Slice and Test Your Balance. Players can also take the fight to their friends wherever they go with local multiplayer using ad-hoc connectivity or against friends near and far with a Wi-Fi connection.

The legendary fighting game is now available exclusively for the PS Vita system in North America. For more information about Mortal Kombat, please visit www.themortalkombat.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mortalkombat or on Twitter @MK_Mortalkombat.

When news of the Vita's basic special features broke, we asked the MKOmmunity what they were most looking forward to. The poll was decisive, making exclusive Klassic Kostumes the most anticipated feature!

Which new Vita feature are you most looking forward to?
• 16 Bonus Kostumes (53.3%)
• Updated Challenger Tower (20.9%)
• Touchscreen Fatalities (15.6%)
• Test Your Balance (7.4%)
• All New Trophies (2.4%)

Will old skool skins be your favourite with device in hand, or has something else lept ahead? Discuss all the new features in the poll and more in the Mortal Kombat Kontemporary forum!

In April, the current era of Mortal Kombat celebrated its first anniversary, and we with it! You're almost out of time to enter the draw for our Pop Culture Shock Scorpion Statue giveaway [full story] as we get ready to give away more stuff in a special portable-themed Vita contest! Stay tuned to Mortal Kombat Online for much more!