A new Mortal Kombat video game could be in development according to a report from Giant Bomb's Jeff Grubb. The gaming pundit sparked a rumor wildfire with his "GrubbSnax" webcast, claiming NetherRealm Studios will bypass a sequel to the last Injustice in favor of staying closer to home. Read on for full details:
Grubb couched the claims in heavy supposition, speculating that on-going instability within WarnerMedia Discovery is a driving factor for NetherRealm Studios to begin development on a twelfth installment of the Mortal Kombat series. He notes, "I wouldn't say this is like... for sure, but it lines up with the reality, and it lines up with what I've heard."
The crux of Grubb's argument revolves around the potential sale of the video game developer, and the safety of avoiding entangling their current development slate with unaffiliated licenses, such as the DC Comics characters of the Injustice franchise. His comments can be heard in the embedded video below, with more details to follow.
Warner Brothers secured outright ownership of Mortal Kombat from the sale of Midway Games in 2009, adding its related licenses and trademarks to a stable of multimedia intellectual properties that includes the afforementioned DC Comics characters.
The rumor implies any sale of NetherRealm Studios could be sweetened with a package deal inclusion of the MK franchise itself, and a prospective sequel ready to be published. A July press release touted the success -- and value -- of Mortal Kombat 11, which sold a reported 12 million units, making it one of the most successful installments in the series' three decade history, just behind Mortal Kombat X.
A potential sale of WB Games and related assets was first reported in June 2020, but was taken off the table a few months later. To date, only WB Games mobile developer Playdemic has been offloaded, sold to Electronic Arts in June for $1.4 billion dollars. Last month WB spokesperson Remi Sklar reportedly told website, TheGamer, "I can confirm NetherRealm Studios and TT Games will continue to remain a part of Warner Bros. Games, and all are included in the Warner Media Discovery merger."
While the cogs of the corporate machine creaked and groaned overhead, business has otherwise continued. NetherRealm has been hiring to fill key technical positions, and returned to the motion capture studio in January, resuming work on "the next show" in the midst of a global pandemic. The developer further confirmed it would be focusing on their next project while announcing an end to downloadable content for Mortal Kombat 11.
[Related Article: Editorial: What's Next for Injustice: Gods Among Us?]
Even if the rumors prove true, Injustice fans needn't be despondent just yet. The franchise is set to receive its first animated adaptation, becoming the third direct-to-video animated feature based on a NetherRealm Studios fighting game after this month's new release Mortal Kombat: Battle of the Realms!
What do you think is next in video games? Vote in the MK Online User Poll and share your thoughts about the rumors in the comments below. Join the speculation in the Future Mortal Kombat forum!
