After more than two years of releasing post-launch content, NetherRealm Studios is officially ending support for Mortal Kombat 11. The 2019 fighting game is the eleventh major entry in the long-running Mortal Kombat series, acting as a direct sequel to 2015’s Mortal Kombat X. The game’s downloadable content has included twelve additional playable characters, additional stages, and a single-player story expansion.
NetherRealm Studios continued to support Mortal Kombat 11 long after the game’s release, in the form of both major downloadable content and smaller updates. These update patches have served to maintain MK11‘s competitive balance by increasing or decreasing the strength of certain characters. A recent patch for the game, released in May 2021, gave a big nerf to the Shokan warrior Sheeva while buffing the strength of the Outworld warlord Shao Kahn. However, many fans were also holding out hope that NetherRealm would further bolster Mortal Kombat 11‘s roster by introducing even more downloadable characters.
An announcement from NetherRealm Studios, via Twitter, has confirmed that downloadable content for Mortal Kombat 11 has come to an end. The bittersweet announcement comes after two long years of support, during which NetherRealm added twelve additional characters to the game’s roster. These additions include series veterans, such as Rain and Mileena, alongside guest stars such as The Terminator and Robocop. NetherRealm’s statement confirms that the developer is now “focusing on its next project,” with fans speculating about what exactly that project may entail.
Outside of Mortal Kombat, NetherRealm Studios is also known for developing the DC Comics fighting game series Injustice. While reference to the studio’s next project likely points to Injustice 3, rumors suggest that the developer may actually be working on a fighting game for DC’s long-time rival Marvel Comics. The rumors mostly stem from Mortal Kombat co-creator Ed Boon, who has released a recent series of tweets which make reference to Marvel’s vast gallery of superheroes and villains. It is unclear whether these are hints at future projects, or simply musings of the developer.
Mortal Kombat fans are surely saddened by the end of Mortal Kombat 11‘s long-running and well-received downloadable content. However, NetherRealm Studios was sure to inform fans that it is pushing ahead on an exciting new project. Whether this project is Injustice 3, a Marvel fighting game or a totally unrelated new game, NetherRealm is always trusted to deliver intense combat for gamers to enjoy.
Mortal Kombat 11 is available on all platforms.
