Months of rumors and speculation can finally end. Warner Brothers Interactive Entertainment has announced Mortal Kombat X is officially cancelled for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. In a statement today, the publisher cited quality issues as a leading cause for the end of 'last gen' development.
After months of development, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment has come to the regrettable conclusion that we cannot release Mortal Kombat X for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. Please know our teams worked diligently to meet the quality standards set by the current-gen versions of the game. We were not able to get the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions to the quality expected of a Mortal Kombat game and are very sorry for not being able to deliver the products as originally planned.
If you pre-ordered Mortal Kombat X for PS3 or Xbox 360, please go to the retail location where you pre-ordered the game and you will receive a full refund.
The announcement ends a dichotomous saga for the latest instalment of the series, which topped 2015 game sales at the mid-year mark.
The tenth Mortal Kombat had the world's attention from day one, trending globally, and producing one of the most watched trailers on YouTube in 2014. This mass anticipation fuelled a successful worldwide launch in April, but it was then the problems really began.
Third-party PC ports proved especially problematic for Mortal Kombat X, reporting a slew of crippling errors, and basic quality issues as fans flooded to the affordable and accessible alternative. Problems persisted as efforts were made to improve the experience, and new patches introduced new fatal errors [full story]. The saga eventuated in anecdotal reports of a change in developers in June - a grim omen for delayed 'last gen' ports once targeted for Summer [original story].
The push to third-party developed PC gaming was rough all around for Warner Brothers Interactive Entertainment. The publisher was left redfaced again in June, when NetherRealm sister studio Rocksteady Games were forced to announce the complete suspension of PC sales of Batman: Arkham Knight amidst further issues [read more]. [Editor's Note: Mortal Kombat X has since been stabilized, with Arkham Knight now in the process of patching.]
PlayStation 4 and Xbox One weren't exempt from frustrating Mortal Kombat X launch issues. Players complained of barred access to basic features, pre-order redemption issues, and frequent misunderstandings regarding multiple advertised purchase options. Minor controversy dogged the new release further, with NetherRealm's downloadable content scheme evolving to include: micro-transactions for basic in-game functions; a download version of an in-game NPC; and eventually the free release of pre-order paid incentives.
FINISH HIM: PS3 & 360 versions of Mortal Kombat X will never arrive.
Mortal Kombat Online has persistently heard via forums, social media, and e-mail from fans unable, or unwilling to upgrade their hardware. Today's announcement will not be the answer they hoped for, but will finally close the book on a frustrating chapter of Mortal Kombat history.
For those who can make the leap, the series pushes on, with clues toward new content expected next week, when the developer streams its newest Kombat Kast. All things present considered, that should be a very interesting experience.
Whether surprised, philosophical or dismayed, we encourage you to share your thoughts with us. Register to immortalize your reaction on the Mortal Kombat X forum. Support the fan kommunity by liking and sharing stories via @MK_Online, Facebook & YouTube.
