In Mortal Kombat X, concept artists have helped to redesign and redefine klassic icons for a new generation. In this Mortal Kombat Online exclusive update: artist Justin Murray takes us deeper into the design process, revealing unused and unseen visions for the soul warrior: Ermac!

Click To Enlarge:

The concepts range from familiar variations on the final design, to intriguing reinventions that turn the new look into something slightly different.

A completely unmasked Ermac instantly stands out, showing a fused mouth, pale face and chilling gaze. When dressed all in black, he's almost a vision of death itself - helped along by a dark hooded coat. The hood and jacket motif have been a consistent fixture for Ermac's primary designs for Mortal Kombat X. They combine with past elements in one Murray design, which features details like the Deception era belt, and MK2011's black bandages.

Fans were memorably introduced to similar concepts this time last year, based on similar work shared by NetherRealm artist Bernard Beneteau.

Fans can see more of Justin Murray's Mortal Kombat X concept art in previous features: Reptile & Kitana, Mileena & Ferra/Torr. Mortal Kombat Online will be featuring more work from the artists in upcoming exclusive updates!

See even more of Justin Murray's designs by visiting Super Evil MegaCorp. Like what you see? Register to share the love on the Mortal Kombat X forum! Be one of the many by liking & sharing this story via @MK_Online & Facebook!

Beleaguered PC gamers received a much needed injection of support today, addressing several on-going issues some are still experiencing. Details of the new patch [via Steam] run through a gauntlet of fixes, but be warned before downloading: Some players are reporting new catastrophic errors as a result of the patch, including deleted save files and aspect ratio problems. Note: The patch has officially been pulled.

Original 5/5 Mortal Kombat X PC Update Notes:

• Added the free Klassic Sub-Zero costume.
• Display drivers should no longer crash during online play.
• A crash will no longer occur after a full rotation of players in the lobby during Round Robin matches.
• Fixed a crash that some users experienced during the first QTE in the story.
• Game no longer crashes when players attempt to join a game through Steam or in a room.
• Fixed startup crash on high end systems (those with > 8 cores).
• Fixed a crash that would occur during recorded match playback.
• Save data safety check to try to eliminate save data loss.
• Fix to prevent save game data from being corrupted while closing the game.
• Walk away animations now appear at the end of the character selection process.
• The levers in Shao Khan's Tomb will now activate.
• Shinnok's Flick Trick Fatality no longer experiences a significant framerate drop.
• Functionality is no longer lost while watching a match replay.
• Pre-game lobbies will populate 10 players into Faction Battle matches.
• Kombat Kards will now display correct Icons, Backgrounds, and Borders in a KOTH match.
• Fatality inputs no longer change into QTE inputs during in Online Tower Battles.
• Game no longer desynchronizes when a player selects a character that their opponent has not unlocked.
• D'Vorah's cape no longer moves when she's killed.
• Game no longer freezes when opponent in online closes the game.
• Title remains responsive while story cinematics are loading.
• Fixed leaderboards and kombat kards not updating past the top players.
• After entering Replays with the controller the Player can use the keyboard when watching a replay from an online match.
• Loading screens now display before progress bar fills up.
• Diagonal arrows are shown instead of keys when Alternate Control is enabled.
• Sometimes saving a Custom1 preset displayed as being saved for Custom1-4 in the character select and pause menu controls screens.
• The UI arrows will now switch sides on a tagged move when the character switched position with his opponent.
• Chat room names will now display properly (instead of SteamIDs.)
• Fixed input callouts when switching between keyboard and USB controller after entering a KOTH match.
• Additional graphical fidelity options.
  • General Matchmaking improvements.
  • Performance improvements
  • Improved online stability
  • Multiplayer invite improvements
  • Gameplay fixes and balancing
  • Various Kombat Kard fixes
  • WB Play fixes
  • General bug fixes

Register to help us track and troubleshoot further issues by posting on the forum. Find and discuss more topics on the Mortal Kombat X forum.

Players attending the CEO Fighting Game Championships in 2015 will have extra motivation to take this year's Mortal Kombat X title! CEO Gaming has announced a massive $10,000 pot bonus contributed by MKX makers Warner Brothers & NetherRealm Studios!

The cash bonus continues to demonstrate the developer's commitment to the competitive tournament scene, which grew significantly around the release of Mortal Kombat (2011).

The CEO prize purse scales dependent on tournament participation, with the biggest gains coming from sixty-four or more tournament registrations. With the addition of the pot bonus, Top 8 players will receive guaranteed money of at least $200. If over 200 challengers register, players finishing 9th through 16th can expect to receive $25.

CEO 2015 takes place June 26-28 from its home in sunny Orlando, Florida. Online registration closes June 21st. Standard registration costs $40, with late fees kicking in for any sign-ups after June 1st. Registration at the venue will be available for additional cost, subject to bracket bye availability.

Mortal Kombat X will played on the PlayStation 4 version. Top 8 finals matches will be contested under a Best of 5 rule, with pools scheduled to be best 2/3. On the decision to super-size finals, CEO Gaming says, "[W]e feel it's appropriate that players get the chance to truly showcase their best..."

Will you be attending Community Effort Orlando 2015? Register to share your plans in the Gameplay & Matchmaking forum. Support the site and scene by liking & sharing this story via @MK_Online and Facebook.

Notorious Crystal Lake killer Jason Voorhees is stalking the next generation of young fighters in Mortal Kombat X! The unstoppable slasher features in a new trailer - available via The Kombat Pack tomorrow!

The drowning boy turned supernatural killer is the first of two guest fighters coming to Mortal Kombat X DLC. Fans who purchase The Kombat Pack will also gain early access to Predator of the popular film franchise.

Fans who don't purchase the four-character DLC pack will be able to buy fighters individually. Jason is slated to be widely available via online stores starting May 12th [full details].

[Related Article: Jason Voorhees Revealed For Mortal Kombat X Kombat Pass]

Which kombatant will have the best shot of stopping the unstoppable Jason? Register to debate fantasy fight outcomes in the Fan Koliseum! Find more top stories and discussion in the Mortal Kombat X forum!

Series Co-Creator and Creative Director Ed Boon will finally join the Kombat Kast couch on the next instalment of the developer live stream! The next episode will go live tomorrow: 3:00PM CDT, May 4th to preview DLC guest Jason Voorhees! Be on the Mortal Kombat X forum to watch and discuss it live!

Downloadable guest character Jason Voorhees is just two days away for holders of the MKX Kombat Pack. For the rest; the Camp Crystal Lake serial killer will stalk online stores for individual purchase May 12 [full story].

Fans should submit last minute questions to NetherRealm via Twitter. Register to join the speculation and discussion right here on the forum. Help spread the word by liking & sharing relevant updates via @MK_Online & Facebook!