Every year in July the Evo World Championship brings the greatest players in the world together in Las Vegas to fight for supremacy!

NetherRealm Studios has enjoyed a streak of representation over the past six years, but not every game can be chosen for the annual tournament line-up. Thus; January begins the countdown with a ceremonial unveiling of the chosen games. This year - nine make the cut:

Evo 2017 Roster: Tekken 7, Street Fighter V, Super Smash Bros Wii U, Guilty Gear Xrd Rev 2, King of Fighters XIV, Injustice 2, BlazBlue Central Fiction, Super Smash Bros Melee and 1 player's choice.

Pending new release Injustice 2 will be the NetherRealm fighting game of choice for 2017. It won't be officially available until May, but open Beta testing should help the pros get plenty of preparation before they test their might in July!

40% of MK Online users hoped Mortal Kombat XL would get pride of place at this year's event, with 48.2% hoping both games would have a shot. The most recent Mortal Kombat still has a chance to make the grade in a charity drive for the fan's choice!

Mortal Kombat X is in competition with Ultimate Marvel versus Capcom 3, Skullgirls, Pokken Tournament, Killer Instinct, Street Fighter II Turbo, ARMS, Windjammers and Nidhogg. Which ever game raises the most donations for

Planning to head to Evo? Register to share your journey and discuss the game on the Injustice 2 forum. Organize online sessions or chat tactics on the Gameplay & Matchmaking forum.

Leaping out of the first developer live stream: Robin is the sensational new find of Injustice 2! The boy wonder is bringing a big knife to the superhero fight as the newest gameplay trailer shows. Watch:

The boy wonder is back in a more familiar guise, having adopted the red mantle of Nightwing during 2013's Injustice: Gods Among Us. Not all is well in the Wayne family! The rift between Superman's Regime and Batman's resistance has turned fathers and sons into bitter enemies!

Robin brings speed and agility to the fight, but his most prominent weapon will be a sword! The trailer shows just how deadly the blade's arc will be when players get their hands on Robin when the game arrives for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One - May 16, 2017!

[Related Article: Injustice 2 Screenshots Spotlight Brainiac, Robin & Box Art]

Damian Wayne joined the canon of the DC Universe in 2006, introduced as the "Son of the Bat" by writer Grant Morrison. He is the son of Bruce Wayne and Talia al Ghul, daughter of Ra's al Ghul -- expanding on a concept first introduced by Mike Barr in 1987 one-shot Batman: Son of the Demon.

Damian was raised by his mother and The League of Assassins who trained him in their deadly fighting arts. The arrogant young fighter favours violence and brutality, but fights of his own freewill for justice. His desire to take his place by his father's side led to tensions with the other sidekicks in the Batcave, but he has never the less been Robin for ten years.

In the world of Injustice; Damian chose to fight alongside The Regime, and accidentally contributed to the death of Dick Grayson during a siege on Arkham Asylum. This is the death Batman cannot forgive in the Injustice 2 trailer.

Whose side are you on? Register to share your thoughts on Robin and more on the Injustice Forum! Continue the legacy by liking & sharing this story via @MK_Online and Facebook!

NetherRealm Studios have taken to demonstrating new and upcoming content, establishing a tradition of live streams featuring Mortal Kombat X. That tradition continues into their newest fighting game as the countdown to Injustice 2 begins!

Today's stream follows a string of announcements and reveals of Injustice 2 Release Editions, the first screenshot big bad Brainiac, and the Lines Are Redrawn story trailer.

The first live demonstration for Injustice 2 broadcasts on Twitch January 24th at 2:00PM CST! Watch the whole thing live embedded right here [above], and share your thoughts with the kommunity on the DC Universe Injustice forum!

For Injustice 2, NetherRealm Studios plans to employ a similar GGPO based rollback method added to Mortal Kombat XL. Before the game goes live in May, the developer is inviting players to join an open beta for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One!

The Online Beta Registration forum is accepting submissions now via the Injustice 2 website. Fan accounts from the past MKXL Beta were largely positive.

Fans hoping to join the Beta should be prepared to accept a series of stipulated agreements as part of gaining access to a pre-build version of the game.

Have you gained access to the Injustice 2 Beta? Register to share your impressions with the kommunity on the DC Universe Injustice forum. Use the new submission form to submit your review directly to MK Online staff for possible use in publication.

Since 2013, the world of Injustice has played out in video games and comic books. Most recently, Injustice: Ground Zero has retold the events of the video game from the perspective of Harley Quinn. Starting in April, the story will advance toward the new status quo of Injustice 2!

Original series writer Tom Taylor returns to guide Injustice 2 forward. Joining him on visuals is first volume artist Bruno Redondo, who recently signed exclusively to DC Comics. His first issue cover featuring Batman, Harley Quinn and Superman was revealed by DC with their announcement [pictured above].

Other contributing artists from past volumes will return for Injustice 2, including Juan Albarran, Mike Miller and Daniel Sempere.

Details about the new plot remain guarded, but Redondo expressed enthusiasm about his return, noting, "We have a similar understanding of the characters, the drama and the humor, which I think helped make the first series so successful. Working in the Injustice universe allows us to do so many things we’re unable to do in any other comic and I can’t wait for fans to see what we have in store for [Injustice 2]."

Injustice 2 begins with digita-first release starting April 11th. Series chapters will be released in weekly serial ahead of subsequent, complete printed issues.

[Related Article: Injustice 2: The Lines Are Redrawn Story Trailer]

Looking forward to the next volume? Register to discuss the comics and games on the DC Universe Injustice forum!

When Injustice 2 ships this May, the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One fighting game will come in three distinct flavours: Standard Edition, Digital Deluxe Edition & Ultimate Edition!

Each version of the game is adorned by a different hero; box art featuring armored Injustice versions of Superman, Supergirl and Batman revealed in a recent update.

These striking alternate covers signify a range of extra incentives that come with each purchased version. Headline bonuses increase the playable character roster with Downloadable Content and Premier Skins -- alternate identities sharing base similiarities with other characters.

Digital Deluxe Editions will adapt Supergirl into her matured alternate universe counterpart Powergirl! Ultimate Editions will include "PG", as well as Premier Skins unlocking villainous Flash counterpart Reverse Flash, and Earth's second reserve Green Lantern John Stewart, best known for his appearances in the Justice League animated series.

Each Premier Skin character boasts new designs, new voice actor, and all new dialogue. It's currently unknown if they will feature any unique moves to reflect the differences in their character.

Ultimate Editions forecast 9 DLC characters with the permium purchase. This will equal the expanded post-release line-up seen in Mortal Kombat X, where a second Kombat Pack extended the roster along with pre-order incentive Goro. Injustice 2 has already revealed its equivalent timed exclusive: Darkseid.

Injustice 2 currently retails at $59.99US. Digital Deluxe Editions are available through PlayStation Store and Gamestop for $79.99. Ultimate Edition is available across all platforms for $99.99.

Injustice 2Register to share your thoughts about each version and Premier Skins on the DC Universe Injustice forum! Light up the Bat-signal to tell your friends by liking and sharing stories via @MK_Online and Facebook!

Every fight defines you in Injustice 2 thanks to the new armor customization system that changes your character's look and powers! Characters will have several mix-and-match attires, but for a look at the characters in their natural state, there are new render artworks to feast your eyes on! Click to enlarge:

The character art shows off new designs for Flash, Superman, Aquaman and most of the confirmed playable cast! It's also a prime opportunity to examine newcomers Atrocitus, Deadshot, Blue Beetle and others!

[Related Article: Injustice 2 Screenshots Spotlight Brainiac, Robin & Box Art]

Injustice 2 is coming to PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in May! Register to discuss all the characters and designs on the DC Universe Injustice forum! Use character artwork to standout from the crowd by creating a forum signature!

The silence surrounding Injustice 2 broke earlier today with the release of the The Lines Are Redrawn Trailer. Along with this illuminating story preview, MK Online has also received the first images that show Brainiac and Robin! Click to enlarge:

Brainiac is poised to be the big villain vexing the heroes of Injustice 2, whose allegiances will apparently be redefined in the world once split between Batman's resistance and Superman's regime!

The trailer shows what appears to be Robin turning on his Dark Knight mentor! The above screenshot shows a version of his Injustice 2 design, with a hood reminiscent of the Damien Wayne version of the character, adorning a tactical adaptation of The Boy Wonder's traditional look.

Spotlight key art for Batman, Superman and Supergirl shows armored versions of each hero in dramatic detail.

The World's Finest are shown in front of Gotham City and Metropolis scenes, while Supergirl is seen standing before a robotic entity reminiscent of eighties versions of Brainiac. Could the girl of steel be in league with this new Kryptonian threat? Have the next generation of Teen Titans turned on their warring elders?

Injustice 2 is coming to PlayStation 4 and Xbox One starting May 16th, 2017! NetherRealm Studios will reveal new character gameplay next week, with more DC characters to be unleashed soon!

Who's next? Register to join the speculation and discussion on the DC Universe Injustice forum! Help spread the word by liking & sharing this story via @MK_Online and Facebook!

A new threat is coming to the DC Universe created by Injustice: Gods Among Us! New heroes and villains will enter the fray to face this emerging danger in Injustice 2! See who it is in the official story trailer below:

2013's Injustice: Gods Among Us saw Batman and his resistance earn victory over a Regime mounted by a Superman gone mad. These scenes are revisited in the trailer, before revealing ominous onlooker and trailer narrator: Brainiac!

The Kryptonian artificial intelligence has sinister grand designs for the world of corrupt heroes, who themselves appear divded! The trailer hints at new characters who'll join the battle: Robin, Bane and Poison Ivy all familiar to fans of The Dark Knight!

In the same vain as Goro in Mortal Kombat X; the trailer concludes with a preview for pre-order bonus character: Darkseid! The evil New God ruler of Apokolips was a feaure character in Injustice Mobile and returns to consoles as an armored extra.

Injustice 2 is coming to PlayStation 4 and Xbox One starting May 16, 2017. New character gameplay will be revealed January 24th during a NetherRealm Studios livestream.

Register to discuss the trailer, new characters and moe on the DC Universe Injustice forum!

With little to no Injustice 2 news coming over the past few months, we've been left wondering about a great many details. At least one of the big ones can be checked off the list -- Ed Boon revealing the release date earlier today:

Not one to miss a chance for ambiguity, Boon didn't use the words "release date" in his picture tweet -- or any words at all. The May 16th date has, never the less, been acknowledged by other NetherRealm Studios staff as the release destination. This officially debunks false dates spread within fandom.

This will mark the first NetherRealm fighter to arrive outside of April since Warner Brothers acquired the developer, and Midway assets, in 2009.

[Related Topic: IGN Spotlight Injustice 2 Supergirl Gameplay Trailer]

The extra month will help put a little more distance between the superhero sequel and NetherRealm's massively successful 2015 release: Mortal Kombat X.

MKX had the distinction of the longest post-game downloadable content cycle of any Warner Bros fighting game to date. Kombat Pack 2 pushed a disc release of Mortal Kombat XL out to March, 2016.

May will also gives Evo tournament organizers two months to hype and prepare Injustice 2 for admission to their World Championship in July. An announcement concerning representation will be made later this month [full story].

Got things to say about the game? Discuss all things super on the DC Universe Injustice forum! Support truth, justice and the MKO way by spreading the word via @MK_Online and Facebook.

With almost no significant Injustice 2 news coming from NetherRealm Studios over the past few months, it's starting to feel as if time were standing still on the 2017 project. What would a frozen moment in the Mortal Kombat developer's lives look like? A lot like this, apparently:

The soon-to-be viral shenanigans are described by YouTube poster Shannah as "NRS employees lolly-gagging around the office". We prefer to think of it as the explanation for why so many in Mortal Kombat X suddenly have a beard.

Standing still en masse has become the latest craze sweeping the internet over the last month or so. The "Mannequin Challenge" has encouraged large groups to hone their stationary craft in a variety of creative ways. NetherRealm's effort may be the first to feature quite so many implied entrails, but that claim is unverified at the time of this report.

Music is Trouble by Cage The Elephant. Enjoy their alternative rock sound while trainspotting for MK favourites like Dan "Toasty" Forden and Carlos "Raiden" Pesina. Other NetherRealm staffers are available.

If viral video memes are your kind of thing, flash back to 2014 for the now classic NetherRealm Ice Bucket Challenge. It's very cool. (That's right).

[Related Article: MKX: Behind The Scenes of Story Mode Motion Capture]

Got your own MK inspired Mannequin Challenge? Register to post it to the forum! Make a new year's resolution to support the kommunity by posting your thoughts to the forum, and by sharing topics via @MK_Online, Facebook & YouTube.

Since the release of a teaser trailer in November; we've been wondering which NetherRealm Studios fighting game will receive selection for the 2017 Evo World Championship in July.

NetherRealm fighting games have become a fixture of the annual tournament event since Mortal Kombat received admission in 2011. With the release of Injustice: Gods Among Us in 2013, we saw two titles represented at the championship [read more] -- the DC fighter ultimately replacing MK until Mortal Kombat X.

Now with Injustice 2 on the horizon, tournament head honcho has taken to Twitter to poll NetherRealm competitors on which game they'd rather see at the next event.

If there was room for only one, what would you choose? #Evo2017

— Joey Cuellar (@MrWiz) December 27, 2016

From 2,717 followers who voted, the newer option of the DC fighting sequel gained 59%. A late surge of support for Mortal Kombat XL earned an approximate 1,114 votes (41%).

In a poll of broad fandom, MK Online asked fans which game they expect or hope to see. At the time of this writing, 47.8% chose both NetherRealm titles. Injustice 2 recevied only 12.6%, with Mortal Kombat X the preferred individual choice at over 39%.

An official announcement for the 2017 Evo World Championship line-up will be broadcast Tuesday, January 24th!

Speculation points to a customary April release, but Injustice 2 is yet to receive any official date of availability. Should Warner Brothers decide to put more distance between their two fighting franchises, we may see Injustice 2 pushed beyond the July event. Increased DLC support pushed the release of komplete edition Mortal Kombat XL out to October, last year.

Do you want the shiny new toy, or a maturing competitive scene? Register to share your thoughts on various topics via the Mortal Kombat X, Injustice and Kompetitive Gaming forums!