The WWE has announced a new sweepstakes based upon Midway's upcoming action/adventure game, Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks! The Grand Prize winner will win a new X-Box video game system, a copy of MK: Shaolin Monks signed by a WWE superstar, and four tickets in the Grand Prize winners area at an unspecified WWE event!

The contest is open to residents of the continental United States who are at least seventeen years old. For more information on the contest (including official rules) and to enter, click here.

Our thanks to forum/chat member DECEPTION for the heads-up on this sweepstakes!

The website for the Epic Battles Trading Card Game (featuring Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat cards battling it out, with more fighting games to be added) has undergone a major change. It's got extra great features, such as site themes - the ability to view the page "Mortal Kombat" style or "Street Fighter" style, a rules list, FAQ's, a Round 1 preview, the card library, organized play, a list of future events, a store locator and tournament locator, and of course, access to the message board. So check it all out:



Thanks go to MK Online forum user FJ_JJ for the word on this update.

GameSpot has posted another video in their Developer Interview series of videos for Midway's upcoming Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks. In Developer Interview 3, Ed Boon and Shaun Himmerick discuss a wide array of topics, ranging from Paradox (now Midway L.A.) approaching Midway with the game that would eventually become MK: Shaolin Monks, to Midway L.A.'s dedication to the sanctity of the Mortal Kombat II era as shown in the game, the game mechanics and fighting engine (including the kombat puzzle system, block/lock-on mechanics, and the boss battles), and even the future of the Mortal Kombat franchise and how they want it to branch out. For example, an RPG is specifically mentioned as a type of genre, but nothing is confirmed and Ed admits branching out "is a little intimidating, but at the same time, I think it's necessary".

The video is available for download to GameSpot Basic members, and to stream for non-members. The video runs six minutes five seconds, is 161 MB at high-res, and is 72.1 MB in low-res. To view the video, click here, and scroll down to Developer Interview 3.

Our thanks to forum member FF_JJ for the heads-up on this new Developer Interview!

So Cinder over at the Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks forum gives another couple pieces of content; this time, it's an MP3 of the music from the Forest Battle boss stage and a concept picture of Scorpion from that very battle. To listen to the original MP3 and check out Cinder's post, click here. Thanks to MK Online forum poster and #mortalkombat IRC chatter DECEPTION for yet another News Lead!

Over at Amazon.com you can now pre-order the strategy guide to MK: Shaolin Monks. They've got it listed for $11.55 and they have the release date listed as September 27, 2005. As mentioned in a previous update here, the strategy guide by Prima will include a free CD. Check out the cover: To check out the whole pre-order page, click here. Thanks a lot to MK Online forum/chat guy DECEPTION for the word on this update!

Update: An even better version of the cover can be found here, thanks to MK Online chatter/forum poster fraysol for this part of the update!