Fan campaigns and petitions have become a staple of social media fandom throughout the promotional life of Mortal Kombat X. For every omitted character and potential crossover - there is likely one or more attempts to support it to reality.

Not all petitions are created equal, but occasionally a sound idea and swell of interest breaks out from the ever growing pack. Nearing 4,000 e-signatures at the time of this writing - the message behind We Want An MK Lore Encyclopedia has been heard loud and clear!

The petition has been tirelessly circulated by fan Myke Snow. Among the most prominent supporters of an MK Encyclopaedia is Shawn Kittelsen. As writer of DC Comics' Mortal Kombat X series, he's helped usher Mortal Kombat in its return to print, and spent much time digging into character history, whilst navigating the pitfalls of unreliable online sources. Many NetherRealm Studios staff have also shown enthusiasm and support, including MKX Producer Andrew Stein, and Cinematic Director Dominic Cianciolo!

DK Publishing are no strangers to cataloguing elaborate fiction.

The ultimate target of this particular petition is Dorling Kindersley - DK Publishing: a multi-national publisher owned by merged book giant Penguin Random House. Penguin also own Primas Games, who were unable to print a Mortal Kombat strategy guide for this year's release [full story].

Specializing in easy to read reference books; DK Publishing have become well known for their visual encyclopaedia based on major pop cultural brands, including: Star Wars, Lego, DC Comics, Marvel Comics, Capcom, and more. This pedigree makes them well qualified to created a printed tome based on over twenty years of Mortal Kombat saga, that's both informative, and visually striking.

While sites like Mortal Kombat Online and apocryphal Wikipedia may provide easy reference for series lore - the advantages of a printed book are clear. A hardcover edition becomes a tactile collectible item for die hard fans. It immortalizes characters in visual artwork, and with proper research and care, can become a valued source of rich in-fiction information. If you've played the games, but wondered about the ins and outs of character history - this is what you want! Given Mortal Kombat's uniquely fostered story and universe, this is the fighting game franchise to write about!

Sources close to the subject suggest DK Publishing is both aware of the petition, and interested in exploring the potential for a Mortal Kombat Encyclopaedia. The journey to print may still be a long one, though.

Fans should continue to show their support by signing the petition, and go further by sharing their interest on the forums! Help spread the word and support the cause by liking & sharing this story via @MK_Online & Facebook!

With rumors of The Pit making a comeback soon via Mortal Kombat X DLC [full story]; there's been been a better time to see a klassic arena in a whole new way! That's exactly what Mick Cielesz has achieved with his reinvention of a Mortal Kombat 3 arena as virtual environment. Designed for the Oculus Rift -- the simple reinvention of The Pit 3 gives players a foreboding first-person view of the famed bridge of death!

The Oculus Rift represents virtual reality technology in the present day. Utilizing twin OLED screens with 1080x1200 pixel resolution, the device uses high quality, globally refreshing 90hz images to stream a virtual environment before the wearer's eyes. The result is an immersive glimpse into interactive worlds.

Cielesz achieved his simple reinvention using Maya, Unity and Oculus Development Kit 1. You can get an impression of what first-person kombat might be like by watching the video embedded above. Could this be the future of Mortal Kombat's famed finishers?

[Related Topic: Kountdown: 10 Klassic Arenas For Mortal Kombat X DLC]

Special thanks to Mick Cielesz for sending his creation in to us! Found something cool? Submit a newslead and let us know! Got kreations of your own to share? Register to add your work to the legendary Fan Submission Archive! Support the community and its kreators by liking and sharing stories via @MK_Online, Facebook, YouTube and by commenting on the forums!

Chances are you know John Vogel best as one of the stalwarts of the Mortal Kombat design team. As a developer, he's helped steer the course of Kombat through multiple generations, including his well remembered role as writer for 2002's Deadly Alliance and sequel Deception.

As of April; your pal and mine has turned his impeccable skills as writer and artist to the world of webcomics with Skitter!

If you're expecting demonic warlords and deadly fists of kung-fu -- stow those expectations in the nearest pigeon hole! Skitter is "what bugs do when humans are near" and tells the madcap tales of spider Jack and his insect pals. Expect punch lines, not punches.

Jack is confronted by a new racket in town in April 21st strip.

Though different, fans who've enjoyed Mortal Kombat's lighter moments & in-jokes, or just conversing with Vogel on Twitter, should find something to enjoy in the free series!

Skitter is updated regularly Tuesdays and Thursdays on SkitterComic.com. You can follow and support the project @SkitterComic & Facebook! Tell 'em @MK_Online sent you!

With modern origins rooted in independent regional events run by gamers, for gamers; it's perhaps unsurprising inter-personal drama - and corruption - has had an ugly background presence throughout the development of professionalized organized gaming.

Turtle Entertainment's Electronic Sports League (ESL) have been a leader in developing organized "eSports", and will take the next major step toward professional competitive parity with the introduction of player drug testing.

Motherboard reports the move comes in the wake of an admission of doping from Counter Strike competitor Cory “Semphis” Friesen. He reportedly acknowledged abusing ADHD drug Adderall to enhance performance and response. All Cloud 9 teammates were said to have participated in the allegedly widespread practice during an ESL tournament in Poland.

ESL introduced Mortal Kombat X to its league infrastructure with April's Fatal 8 Exhibition Tournament, before launching Season One of the league in May. Inaugural winner Dominique "Sonic Fox" McLean (17) walked away with $60,000 in winnings. He is among the youngest players achieving success, having gained first notice in 2012.

The injection of corporate wealth has already been a catalyst for eliminating lingering conflicts of interest. This year's Evo World Championship forced the omission of Mortal Kombat X players close to development and testing, including scene stalwart: Osu16bit. Warner Brothers and NetherRealm Studios have prioritized tournament support in promotion of the game, offering several large cash prizes to events.

ESL are yet to confirm the specifics of their drug policy, which will not include retroactive policing. It is unknown if all games will be targeted for testing. Mortal Kombat Online has reached out to ESL for more information.

Drug testing will be but one of the struggles eSports faces as it pursues legitimacy beyond the niche. This year's Evo Finals saw viewership increases for most events [full story], but the costs associated with testing and independent regulation may be a bridge too far for most organizers. A cocktail of young demographics, escapist entertainment, competitive culture and unregulated events poses inherent challenges for a world already rocked by ontroversies of match fixing, hacking and exploitation. ESL Head of Communications Anna Rozwandowicz told Motehrboard they will combat this with, "... drugs policing, education, and prevention among participants of [its] competitions."

The most recent update to PC versions of Mortal Kombat X has provided the first clue to suggest a klassic arena coming to downloadable content! Mortal Kombat Online affiliate Murdoink uncovered the reference diving into settings updates, which add "Pit" to the list of "background" arenas in the code:

Before & After: PC update adds "Pit" to Mortal Kombat X background code.

In May; Mortal Kombat X Creative Director Ed Boon revealed NetherRealm developers had already discussed klassic arenas [full story]. Fan scuttlebutt may have mythologized Boon's sense of humor as "trolling", but about these things, he's often remarkably forthcoming. He first alluded to Brazil DLC and Klassic Fatalities as early as October, last year [full story]. Both hit downloads in recent months.

The idea addresses one of Mortal Kombat X's most glaring deficiencies. The sequel shipped with only thirteen arenas -- a dramatic 48% fewer than precursor: Mortal Kombat (2011). The 2011 reboot almost exclusively featured reinvented versions of klassic stages.

MK is The Pits: Incarnations of the iconic stage from past (below) to present (2011, above).

The Pit debuted as an arena concept back in the very first Mortal Kombat! Originally a precarious bridge fight staged on Shang Tsung's Island; the concept has been repurposed to appear as a recurring trademark of the series throughout its early instalments.

The Pit II introduced a dark, atmospheric Outworld version remembered by fandom for introducing Blaze, and another mysterious fighter as background sprites. This version returned in 2011, succumbing to a meteor shower and even more background kombatants - characters not used in the Trilogy remake. The Pit 3 (MK3) features elaborate spinning blades beneath its cavernous dome - a sadistic chamber of Shao Kahn's citadel. The original Pit allowed players to fight amongst its blood stained, spikey bottom, where Stage Fatalities were born and Reptile was waiting!

Mortal Kombat Online named The Pit fourth in a list of the Top 10 Klassic Arenas We'd Like To See in Mortal Kombat X DLC. Is it coming soon? Register to share your thoughts and speculation on the Mortal Kombat X forum. Support the site by liking and sharing stories via @MK_Online & Facebook! Immerse yourself in kombat