The intrigue of Mortal Kombat X looms largest over MK fandom in 2014, but just as it did during the build to the previous game: Mortal Kombat: Legacy is gearing up to support promotion with a live-action branch that appeals to the broad pop significance of the long running franchise.
News regarding a follow-up to Legacy II has been limited. Star Casper Van Dien gave us the first concrete indication of a third series when he documented the start of his training. Now the Johnny Cage actor has revealed the return of one of his co-stars -- Mark Dacascos getting into the act with more photos from their Legacy training!
The pair have evidently been sharpening up their combat skills with the science of eight limbs. The photos were taken in the West Hollywood ring of Muay Thai Academy of America. Founded by Surapuk Jamjuntr aka “Kru Puk” -- MTA boasts a philosophy of authenticity that includes recruiting top Thai fighters as instructors. Dacascos is a student of Kru Puk.
Van Dien and Dacascos were two of the star recruits of a dramatically recast Legacy II, appearing as Johnny Cage and Kung Lao respectively. They represent two of Earthrealm's surviving fighters in the live-action webseries, which tells a very different version of the classic story of the Mortal Kombat tournament.
The entirety of Mortal Kombat: Legacy II can be watched online right now. Fans looking to take their interest further can look forward to a Blu-Ray & DVD release October 14.
Catch up on all the major Legacy stories with Mortal Kombat Online's archive coverage of Series 1 & Series 2. Register to discuss this and other adaptations on the Media & Merchandise forum.
Dumping buckets of ice water over ones head may seem like an unlikely cultural phenomenon -- but when it's in the service of raising awareness for a paralysing neurodegenerative disease - it makes a whole lot of sense.
The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge has been much more than a mere viral phenomenon. In August; The New York Times reported a $13.3 millionALS Association donation total, coming from 260,000 contributors between July 29 and August 17. The figure was a staggering rise from $1.7 million donated the same time, one year earlier.
Prominent members of the Mortal Kombat kommunity - including series co-creator and Mortal Kombat X Creative Director Ed Boon, as well as the team at NetherRealm Studios - have rallied behind the cause to put the ice of Sub-Zero to good use. Check them out below:
ALS is Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis -- also commonly known as Motor Neuron Disease and Lou Gherig's Disease (for the 1939 diagnosis of the famed New York Yankee hitter).
It is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. The resulting loss of muscle control can progress to total paralysis. Donations to ALSA contribute to the research of treatment and understanding of the debilitating disease.
The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge has been immensely successful in raising awareness, but the true value of the fad is in encouraging everyone who can, to donate what they're able. This is a philosophy Mortal Kombat Online can support for all good causes, at all times.
Enjoy some of the creative kommunity twists on the challenge by selecting options in our ALS Ice Bucket Playlist [above]. Videos will load embedded, or in a pop-up window if applicable. Support the campaign by posting your own, or favourites you've found, on the forums. If and when you've donated, be sure to share that, too!
After unveiling Kano for Germany's Gamescom 2014 mid-August - it was to be a more modest appearance for MKX at PAX Prime. While Ed Boon dropped a 6 character podiatric tease that drew speculative attention -- it was Senior Producer Adam Urbano who put in the hard yards in Seattle. He talked Gamespot through an elementary demo. Notes follow:
Demo footage of Raiden & Kano offers further impressions of their fighting variations. Master of Storms Raiden and Commando Kano show off key strengths, but retain klassic moves like Raiden's Teleport and Kano's Eye laser. This will be true of all fighters, who keep iconically klassic special moves across all Variation modes in spite of any thematic emphasis [eg; Scorpion's spear and teleport].
Gore hounds may want to skip straight to the 4min 20sec mark to witness Kano concluding with his newest eye laser Fatality. The move leaves a burning hole in the opponents head very much in keeping with other gaping wound fatalities already revealed.
The 25 year story span of Mortal Kombat X promises to usher in a new generation of fighters for a new generation of console kombat. Gen X has thus far been personified by Cassie Cage -- daughter of series klassics Johnny Cage & Sonya Blade.
Her E3 unveiling showed first signs of a fighting style and attitude that combines the military discipline and flashy arrogance of her two parents [see more], whose MKX status has been much discussed since June, but mostly unspecified. Gamespot's silver-tongued Danny O'Dwyer asked directly: "Can you fight [Cassie] as Johnny Cage?" The NetherRealm Senior Producer responded just as directly: "Yeah. You can."
Does this mean Cage is part of the main playable roster? We're as in the dark as ever! Mortal Kombat X will reveal many twists through its robust new Story Mode, which follows the format and plot of Mortal Kombat (2011). During E3, Creative Director Ed Boon noted the mode includes "some really fun" story specific appearances that could very well accommodate a battle between parent and offspring [full story].
Will Baraka have bladed offspring running around 25 years later? Mum's the word. Reptile, after much deliberation from the interviewer. All fun and games until Mileena hears about it. Interestingly, Baraka is one of the top characters being discussed after in the 6 Boot Teaser image.
You know what they say about a fighter's shoe... It's a clue as to who they are! These boots are made for fighting and they're the latest Twitter tease from Mortal Kombat X Creative Director @noobde [aka; Ed Boon]. Note:Scroll to the bottom for new developments in the case!
The color-obscured fan bait came just in time, as a modest showing at PAX Prime stoked the fires of desire in a hungry audience. More footage of recent additions Raiden & Kano continued to promote the 2015 fighter, which featured the latest instalment in its reveal cycle earlier in the month at Gamescom.
Click To Enlarge:What's black and white and has six feet?...
With Mortal Kombat X promising the biggest cast of new playable characters -- the feet pictured may be clues to an unsolvable puzzle. That hasn't stopped fans trying to guess who the feet belong to, however, with design traits pointing the way to a shortlist of speculative stalwarts and requested returns.
We've entertained many potential theories and compared each boot to dozens of recent and past character designs. We haven't been able to rule out themes like second generation fighters, or never before seen fighters. These are just some of the notes being passed around the Mortal Kombat Online staff room:
Skulls are the type of macabre motif that can show up on just about any malevolent MK character! Scorpion has most identifiably worn skulls on his knees (or boots) throughout the previous generation. It started with the abstract skulls of Mortal Kombat vs DC Universe, and continued with designs more similar to Exhibit A in both his primary and secondary 2011 looks. Also wearing this style in 2011 was Baraka, whose boot design included a very similar skull on the knee guard.
Reiko has never worn skulls, but his arguably definitive Armageddon design used that MK4 ending to fashion him in homage to Emperor Shao Kahn. Kahn is famous for his skull-faced helmet, and with the Outworld throne a subject MKX will tackle, a skull laden Reiko may be ripe for an all-new tribute tour!
Is it a coat hem, cape, or just indistinguishable background? The dark patch at the top of Exhibit B is potentially its most distinct feature. We couldn't match the strapped sturdy boot to any character in particular, but it does share traits in common -- notably the location of the straps -- with MKX's buckle frenzied Scorpion. Exhibit B appears more understated, however, diminishing that significance.
Kabal has been a popular fan pick, no doubt inspired by the impression of a long coat and the modern simplicity of the boot. Quan Chi possessed strapping in his 2011 foot attire, which was otherwise a simple leather pull on. The heft of Exhibit B calls back to Chi's Deadly Alliance look, but we see this as a non-specific.
Exhibit C (Liu Kang)
Footprint Matches:Liu Kang, Kung Lao, Ashrah, Shujinko Kommunity Picks:Fujin, Kai
The distinct binding and slipper of Exhibit C immediately conjures images of the fighting Shaolin Monks. Liu Kang has worn variations on the style throughout his existence, becoming more Shaolin and less Bruce Lee with his later appearances. Kung Lao shared the strapped Shaolin slipper in his 2011 alt. Their popularly requested MK4 allies - Kai & Fujin -- both have reasons to share this aesthetic, but haven't to date appeared in anything exactly like this.
The impression of scale has been a talking point for Mortal Kombat Online staff and fans alike. This foot certainly appears smaller in size. A young and/or female character are popular points of speculation that fit the generational themes of MKX's 25 year storyline. The bloodline of "The Great" Kung Lao introduced one of the first generational ideas through Liu Kang (and Kung Lao) in the original games. We haven't seen reincarnation as much as you might expect from a series constantly killing and resurrecting its characters. Liu Kang & Kung Lao both died in 2011 without any news of procreation. Being reborn could be an interesting possible twist.
Exhibit D (Kitana)
Footprint Matches:Sheeva Kommunity Picks:Tanya, Mileena
Split-toed footwear and a two-toed being are both distinct possibilities here. We've struggled to definitively say, one way or the other. The simple anklet speaks directly to Sheeva, whose designs universally leave her Shokan foot exposed with only shin/ankle guarding. The slight nature of Exhibit D most specifically harkens back to the original MK3 Sheeva, who wore modest silver anklets. A new Shokan daughter - perhaps of Goro or Sheeva - is a distinct possibility, but Sheeva never had the bulk of her male counterparts, so we're not jumping to conclusions based on scale.
In the event the tabi toe is built into a sock - we like a lot of the kommunity suggestions. The simple elegance of metal accoutrement on legging may fit a revamped design for much-requested Edenian ambassador's daughter Tanya. Other ninja-esque women like Kitana or Skarlet would also look at home in such attire.
Exhibit E (Jax)
Footprint Matches:Jax, Quan Chi Kommunity Picks:Kano, Tremor
There's an obvious military sensibility about the boot with spat and steel toe. Jax wore something similar in his 2011 alternate costume. The Special Forces Major is a natural for this type of gear, but he did suffer an untimely demise with many other heroes in the last game. Resurrections aren't out of the question, but like other picks, this could very well be a second generation or brand new fighter, rather than the obvious returning options.
Kano wears commando boots in his revealed MKX design. This could be a very suitable alternate costume. In the future of 25 years later, who knows what fashions have overtaken. Perhaps former cops or Earthrealm survivors have taken to wearing protecting boots. Tremor is an inescapable fan request whose Black Dragon ties could apply. The boot also bears some resemblance to Quan Chi in his unreleased MKvsDC design.
Exhibit F (Kung Jin)
Footprint Matches:Chameleon, Scorpion Kommunity Picks:Shinnok, Ermac
Despite the agonizing sense we've seen these shin guards before, no specific reference came to us at the time of this writing. The strapped-on look of rigid guards recalls MK4's ninja designs, and the simple orientation of what appears to be an emblem is vaguely reminiscent of Armageddon's retro-inspired Chameleon. A similar design was worn on the knees by Khameleon in her Nintendo exclusive 2006 appearance. We're really grasping at straws with that one, though.
The vague appearance of the logo raises suggestions of Ermac's recent designs, or even Sheeva's MK2011 Draco medallion - give or take an appendage. The popular choice of the community has been Shinnok, but we can't say there's any specific reference to the fallen Elder God in anything picture here.
The presence of something very close to the leg -- another warrior's leg, or an obscured weapon -- is of little help. We can't confidently identify what it is, suggesting perhaps a trick of perspective and another warrior back to back, or beside the foreground subject. Someone with a female ally, perhaps? We don't know!
Update Sep. 17: Are these new characters or are they old? The big man has revealed the six characters featured are a mixture of old and new! This confirms many suspicions, but only broadens the speculation!
Got theories about who each boot belongs to? Register to join the footprint analysis on the forum! Get a taste for how it was done by flashing back to another leg teaser - from 2010! Then dive head-first into all the top stories and speculation on the Mortal Kombat X forum!
We're just hours away from this year's PAX Prime -- next calendar gaming gathering, hosted by Seattle, Washington from August 29th - September 1st!
Mortal Kombat X is pencilled in for a modest appearance, following up their Gamescom demo from just two weeks ago. NetherRealm Studios told Mortal Kombat Online the 2015 fighter is to have the stage just once, for a Twitch streamed half hour presentation: Friday, 3:30pm.
At Gamescom Creative Director Ed Boon teased the next reveal will be a bad guy, but with Cologne already playing host to an August unveiling [Kano] -- we aren't advising anybody get their hopes too high for another. That doesn't mean there won't be any morsels of info to come, however. Much of the game's specifics remain enshrouded in mystery.
In 2010; the team was in Seattle to promote development of Mortal Kombat (2011). There were no new characters revealed, but various outlets offered further insights into the demo build already on offer. Mortal Kombat Online will be on the lookout for similar details, as they become available.
