GameSpot has released a massive two-page preview of the next installment of the bloodiest franchise ever, Mortal Kombat: Deception! Included is new information that was not mentioned in the April issue of PSM. For instance, from the start 14 playable characters will be available with a grand total of 24 on the select screen. GameSpot also dwells in further on the improved fighting system. Though based on the popular Deadly Alliance core engine, the following details have been learned:

The additions to the combat system appear to be adding a level of strategy that should please fighting fans looking for more depth. A new position switch move, similar to the position swap seen in Tekken 4, will let you quickly switch your place with an opponent if you're backed into a corner, which should come in very handy. However, the most interesting addition is undoubtedly what Boon dubbed "fight state indicators." The indicator appears vertically on the lower left- and right-hand sides of the screen and identifies your fighter's current state on-the-fly during a battle. The color-coded indicators let you know when you're vulnerable to attack, able to counterattack, or are in a danger zone. Obviously, when the indicator isn’t reacting at all you'll know all is well. The stoplight-like meters, whose appearance is still a work in progress, struck us as a training wheel-like addition to the game. The indicators should help veteran players hone their skills to perfection and let new players get a better understanding of the fighting system, which seems like a pretty savvy equalizer to include.

The article also gives a great description on the new interactivity associated with the different stages and backgrounds:

Another sign of the fighting system's evolution is the way its new features relate to the game's backgrounds. The arenas will be multi-tiered and feature a high level of interactivity that will end up enriching the fighting system. Boon stated that the arenas will end up playing a big role in the flow of the battle, almost as much as the character you choose, based on their unique size and shape. Some will slowly crumble as you fight on them, making a "ring out" sort of victory possible. Another background Boon talked about was a sort of "yin and yang" arena that randomly flips between good and evil. On the good side, you'll see a Virtua Fighter-like beach, complete with seagulls and a generally peaceful setting. But when that flips around, you'll get an evil version of the same background. Getting knocked out of the arena on the good side won't be so bad for the losing player... but getting knocked out when things aren't so pleasant will probably be a bloodier affair.

For the rest of the gruesome details, you can check out the preview in its entirety here.  Below are three new screenshots that appeared with the article:

Thanks to Mortal Kombat Online forum/chat user JRF and MK Online Network member Murdoink for the news tip!

Movie site Dark Horizons is reporting that Threshold Entertainment has stated that despite any reports to the contrary, the third Mortal Kombat movie is still in production. From the article:

Despite reports last week it seems to have died, other gossip has surfaced that the third "Mortal Kombat" film still has something of a pulse: 'Dave' contacted Threshold Entertainment and asked if it was off, their response: "No, most certainly not. It's happening, just not at New Line. We have Christopher Lambert, Lynn Red Williams, and Linden Ashby amongst others starring".

There is no word yet of a release date, but we anticipate that it should be no earlier than 2005. To read the article in its entirety, click here.

Our thanks to MK Online Network member Shinnokxz of the Unofficial Mortal Kombat 3 Movie Page for the heads-up on this story!

The Official MK Deception site has released a high resolution version of the Mileena image found in the April edition of PSM. Our thanks to MK Online forum member Glacius for the tip.

Playstation.com has come through with a few more details concerning Mortal Kombat: Deception, that they took note of while attending the Midway Gamers Day in Las Vegas. From the article:

You begin your quest as a 13 year-old apprentice warrior whose appearance you can choose to customise before you set off seeking your fighting fortune. You'll roam through six different realms, learning three different fighting styles of your choosing. Depending on which masters you visit on your travels, you can mix and match your styles - meaning if you want two weapon-based styles and one 'open palm', you can do that.

Best of all, once you feel your character has what it takes to crack digital heads, you can take them online and say "Fight me!" to anyone else with a PS2, Network Adaptor... and the game, naturally. As Midway pointed out to us, the more you roam in Konquest mode, the more likely you'll be turning heads with your exotic fighting styles and super special moves.

For those of you who couldn't get enough of those extra goodies packed into Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance, and strived to open every Koffin available - well, there's good and bad news. The good: plenty of secret stuff to find in Deception. The bad: it's going to be spread all the way through those six, huge realms... Look out for more Mortal Kombat: Deception details soon, here on PlayStation.com.

Thanks to Mortal Kombat Online forum/chat user Murdoink for the news tip!

We finally got our hands on the Mortal Kombat: Deception screenshots from the PSM article that are slowly surfacing. These are also the same shots that showed up at WorthPlaying, a few days ago. Click on any of them below for your viewing pleasure.