Ed Boon has been spitting hellfire as the voice of Scorpion for thirty years, but can he handle his hot sauce? Things get toasty as Hot Ones welcomes the NetherRealm Studios Chief Creative Officer to try some chicken wings, talk games, and preview Mortal Kombat 1. Watch:

The promotional appearance marks our first look at martial arts movie legend Jean-Claude Van Damme as Johnny Cage, making his entrance in Cage's Apartment. Boon also answers general questions about game development and his career while doing his best to endure five rounds of some of the spiciest food he's ever eaten!

The arrival of JCVD in Mortal Kombat is the fulfillment of a long-held desire to see the Bloodsport star in a fighting game. Fans know he was eyeballed to appear what eventually became the first Mortal Kombat, and will now be a fully realised downloadable content premium skin as part of The Kombat Pack!

We're now just a week away from the official Early Access window for MK1 Kollector's & Premium Editions! Everyone else can sink their teeth into it September 19th for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, Nintendo Switch, and PC!

Does MK1's latest character suck? Share your reactions in the comments below and find more to discuss in the Mortal Kombat 1 forum! Interact and keep track of the big dates by downloading the MKO App via App Store and Google Play. Special thanks to kommunity user The_Purple_Bunny for submitting this as a tip!

The deadly vampire of the realm of Vaeternus is back! Nitara is officially revealed in a new Mortal Kombat 1 trailer that confirms the widely rumored casting of Hollywood actress Megan Fox. The playable roster is almost complete! Watch and learn:

Nitara marks the return of another "3D era" klassic. Originally introduced in 2002's Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance, she was MK's first bloodsucking vampire, and has been slowly making a comeback through minor appearances in the 2021 film reboot and Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpion's Revenge. Along with a new celebrity face, Nitara has undergone a design update, switching her jet black locks and dark leathery wings for a subdued red & flesh tone.

Megan Fox is hardly the first actor to find their way into recent Mortal Kombat releases. MMA & WWE Champion Ronda Rousey played as a similar role as Sonya Blade in MK11, and MK1 will also add martial arts movie legend Jean-Claude Van Damme as a Johnny Cage skin! Not to mention all the crossover guest characters, such as John Cena's Peacemaker in Kombat Pack DLC.

[Related Article: It's in Dave Bautista's Blood in Mortal Kombat 1 Commercial Spot]

We're now just a week away from the official Early Access window for MK1 Kollector's & Premium Editions! Everyone else can sink their teeth into it September 19th for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, Nintendo Switch, and PC on !

Does MK1's latest character suck? Share your reactions in the comments below and find more to discuss in the Mortal Kombat 1 forum! Interact and keep track of the big dates by downloading the MKO App via App Store and Google Play.

The hierarchy of royal power in Outworld is precariously balanced in the new era of Mortal Kombat 1. The reality of a new timeline has poised Empress Sindel atop the throne of the chaotic realm, with General Shao commanding the ranks of the imperial army. Learn more about these pivotal figures in official bios & character art:

Sindel's relationship with Shao Kahn was controversially rewritten for Mortal Kombat 11, making her a traitorous figure in Edenia's history, and willing collaborator with the conquering Emperor. Her relationship with King Jerrod appears restored in MK1, but the ties between Edenia & Outworld are as blurry as ever in the new bio.

Sindel (Empress of Outworld)
When Sindel ascended to Outworld's throne, she worried that she was ill-prepared. Adding to her stress: her impending arranged marriage to Jerrod, an Outworld noble. Forced into it to placate a rebellious region, Sindel could only pray that he was worthy.

To Sindel's delight, Jerrod proved an ideal partner. Her early reign marked the start of a new Golden Age. Sindel then welcomed her beautiful twin daughters, Mileena and Kitana. She thanked the Gods for her charmed life.

But Sindel had counted her blessings too quickly. When Jerrod was murdered, Sindel's heart was broken. Smelling weakness, factions formed to challenge her rule.

As her enemies conspire, Sindel fights to protect her family and her empire. She will do whatever it takes to defend her daughters' birthright.

General Shao (Supreme Commander of Outworld's Army)
Born into a proud military family, Shao was expected to become a soldier. But he was a sickly child who, though brilliant and eager, had an infirm body.

Shao's disability infuriated his father. He dismissed his son's physicians and designed an extreme program to build his son's strength and endurance.

Years of toil molded Shao into a physical colossus and forged within him an iron will. And as his father had promised, Shao became the perfect soldier. His brilliant tactics and relentless effort won Outworld many victories and him much fame.

Though General Shao is sworn to serve the Empress, his loyalty is to with Outworld. If Sindel's rule ever endangers Outworld, he will be the first to try to end it.

Questions abound regarding how Edenia came to be entwined with Outworld in a timeline overseen by Liu Kang, and whether its history has once again been retconned. We're also left wondering about General Shao's lineage and who his "illustrious" military father might be. Perhaps this is Shao Kahn's son? Or could Shao himself be the offspring of a character soon to take on greater significance?

[Related Article: Sindel & General Shao Steer Outworld in Mortal Kombat 1 Reveal]

Mortal Kombat 1 is coming to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, Nintendo Switch, and PC worldwide September 19th with Premium Early Access beginning September 14th! Pre-Order Beta begins this weekend for three days of taste testing -- so don't miss it! Download the MKO App via App Store and Google Play to save these important dates with in-app reminders!

We're just three weeks from Mortal Kombat 1's official street date -- but actor & former WWE Champion Dave Bautista is already leading the charge from the library to the coffee shop. Time to fill every city and town with bellows of MORTAL KOMBAT! Watch and learn:

Like a reverberating echo of the first Mortal Monday campaign, Dave Bautista begins the madness by breaking the silence whilst pushing his book cart and whispering to a studying boy. It spreads to orchestra conductors and ceramics sculptors. It's a new era in the games and a new commercial to set your blood on fire!

Watch closely and you'll not only see the new Mortal Kombat logo emerge from frost & fire on a cafe window, but also spot a familiar building backdrop from the Mortal Kombat commercial released thirty years ago!

The elusive kid who first shouted Mortal Kombat back in 1993 was rediscovered two years ago, but you'll only have to wait until Tuesday, September 19th to get your hands on Mortal Kombat 1 for the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, Nintendo Switch, and PC!

[Mortal Kombat 1 Announcement Trailer Remakes Universe]

Premium Early Access begins September 14th if you've pre-ordered the Premium or Kollector's Editions. You'll also get access to The Kombat Pack which adds Bautista's old sparring partner John Cena as Peacemaker. What do you think of the ad? Will you be joining the horde? Share your reactions in the comments below and answer the call in the Mortal Kombat 1 forum!

History is repeating in Mortal Kombat 1, but in a new era created by the Fire God Liu Kang -- nothing is quite as it was! The mysteries of this once familiar world unfurl as a cinematic Story Mode takes us into a reality that can be both kind - and cruel. Go no further if you wish to avoid SPOILERS!

A Prologue finds Shang Tsung struggling to survive as a lowly snake oil salesman, but the arrival of a shrouded woman with a glow in her eyes promises he was meant for much more. Forces have conspired against him for his entire life, and perhaps she will be the means to twist this new era.

Chapter 1 centers on the humble exploits of Kung Lao and Raiden as they work on the harvest, train to become better martial artists, and chase a big meal. The kung fu buddies seem destined for trouble as dinner at Madam Bo's turns deadly with the arrival of the Lin Kuei -- Smoke, Scorpion, and Grand Master Sub-Zero!

[Related Article: Sindel & General Shao Steer Outworld in Mortal Kombat 1 Reveal]

Shang Tsung will be available to purchase upon the game's release on September 19th, or as a free download for anyone who pre-orders. Mortal Kombat 1 is coming to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, Nintendo Switch, and PC in wide release September 19th, or in Premium Early Access starting September 14th.

What do you think of the opening scenes from the story mode? Who is the mysterious woman and where will the story end? Share your reactions & speculation in the comments below and dig deeper in the Mortal Kombat 1 forum!