A Warner Brothers promotional e-mail appears to have spoiled a future downloadable character while informing fans of the official release of Spawn in Mortal Kombat 11. Copyright citations credit "Army of Darkness" and "Ash", reviving rumors of the impending guest character. Read on for the full story - if you dare:

The offending copyright citations [pictured above] appear at the bottom of an e-mail promoting Spawn and the related Hellspawn Jacqui and Matinee Skins Pack. Included are credits for Terminator, Joker, and Spawn license holders, with the unexpected addition of Metro-Goldwyn Mayer and Orion Pictures: rights holders for Army of Darkness - the third film in the Evil Dead series.

A crossover with Mortal Kombat 11 was expected when data-mining unearthed evidence of "Ash", and a chainsaw buzz was heared at the end of the Shang Tsung trailer, teasing then-coming announcements for additional crossover guest characters.

DC Comics' Joker ultimately appeared in the full Kombat Pack reveal, while Bruce Campbell issued a flat-out denial of Ash's inclusion. This effectively killed the rumors, even if some fans weren't convinced by the stars' colourful rebuttal.

Campbell starred in three feature films and a recent television series, Ash vs Evil Dead, as beleaguered camper cum store clerk: Ash Williams. The character battles evil zombie-like Deadites raised by reading from the Necronomicon, but has also crossed over with Freddy Krueger and Jason Voorhees in the pages of comic books.

Ash may've missed his chance to battle horror movie rivals in previous Mortal Kombat installments, but his time-displaced adventures in Army of Darkness will fit right in with Mortal Kombat 11, where the past meets the present, and undead revenants are prevelant! The licensed inclusion could also extend to Mortal Kombat Mobile, where Freddy and Jason have also appeared.

Additional downloadable content is expected, with Mortal Kombat 11 touted to have "years of content" according to WBIE President David Haddad. Will Ash's hand chainsaw and boomstick be the next to arrive? Share your speculation in the comments below and find more groovy conversation in the Mortal Kombat 11!

Online functions for Mortal Kombat and Mortal Kombat: Komplete Edition have ceased with the latest update taking the game offline. Warner Bros support has posted a status update attributing the closure to network changes. Read on for the full statement:

Offline functions such as Story Mode should not be effected, but Online Multiplayer and Message of the Day will no longer function for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, or PC. The status update was posted to the Mortal Kombat Support forum, coming shortly after reports of the publisher pulling Mortal Kombat: Komplete Edition from sale on Steam. The original statement is below:

PlayStation 3 Players:

Due to changes with our network, access to online multiplayer features for Mortal Kombat (2011) on PlayStation 3 will no longer be available. Offline game modes, including the Story mode, will still be accessible.

PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Steam Players:

The Message of the Day feature for Mortal Kombat (2011) on PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and Steam will no longer be available due to these network changes.

If you have any questions about these changes, please contact Customer Support for assistance using the “Ask for Help” link above.

This appears to throw cold water on unverified fan theories that guest character Freddy Krueger was to blame. Ownership of the cinematic boogeyman reverted to the Craven estate sometime last year, but he continues to be available through various platforms, as reported.

Mortal Kombat (2011) reinvigorated the franchise after its sale to Warner Brothers in 2009. The blockbuster reboot retold the mythos of the original arcade trilogy, making controversial alterations to plot and characters, while establishing a story mode and gameplay style that continues to define the franchise two games later. It cemented the series as a fixture of competitive tournaments, and continues to be a favourite amongst fans. Elements of the 2011 reboot have influenced the upcoming animated feature Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpion's Revenge.

Jump into the comments below to share your thoughts about the news and memories from a now past online era. You can enter the Mortal Kombat (2011) forum for more discussion about the landmark game.

Fans looking to wind the clock back with a belated digital purchase of Mortal Kombat: Komplete Edition may no longer be able to do so. The packaged and patched PC edition of the 2011 reboot has been removed from Steam. Read on for details:

A notice posted to the Steam product page obliquely states: "At the request of the publisher, Mortal Kombat Komplete Edition is no longer available for sale on Steam." Update: The developer has now officially outlined online services closure due to network changes.

The game was subject to discounts as recently as February. A purchase option is also missing from Xbox Marketplace, even though a variety of downloadable additions, including guest fighter Freddy Krueger, still appear to be available. At the time of this writing, Mortal Kombat: Komplete Edition is also for sale as usual on PlayStation Store.

Some fans have speculated guest character Freddy Krueger could be the cause of the removal. In 2019, Bloody Disgusting reported that rights had reverted to the Craven estate via US copyright law that allows writer/creators to reclaim ownership of their work after thirty-five years.

Similar claims have tied the Friday the 13th franchise up in legal disputes, putting an effective freeze on additions to the licensed video game. This hasn't effected availability of the title, though. Likewise, Freddy Krueger DLC released in 2017 to Dead By Daylight remains available on Steam. Freddy can also be purchased individually for MK2011 on PlayStation.

Mortal Kombat Online has reached out to NetherRealm Studios for more information, but has not yet received a reply at the time of this writing. We have also not been able to verify any challenges to Mortal Kombat Mobile, where Freddy Krueger has been available since 2016.

The 2011 Mortal Kombat reboot provides heavy inspiration for next month's animated feature Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpion's Revenge. Will you be playing in April? Share your thoughts in the comments below and go back a decade in the Mortal Kombat (2011) forum!

Mortal Kombat 4 has typically been the overlooked klassic from MK's arcade past, but the transitional sequel finally has an official re-release. Fans looking to revisit the first 3D installment in the series can now purchase a legal copy -- the first rerelease since Mortal Kombat Gold!

Watch: MK4 Arcade Trailer | Prologue Cinematic | Commercial Spot | Promotional Tour Video

GOG.com has a reputation for an extensive PC gaming library, with an online store that also includes Mortal Kombats 1-3. Copies sold through GOG do not contain any kind of DRM or required online connection to play, which means an easy and convenient retro gaming experience.

Mortal Kombat 4 is available for the first time since its original release at $5.99. It features klassic playable characters like Liu Kang, Jax, Raiden, and Reptile, as well as the playable debut of: Shinnok, Quan Chi, Fujin, Tanya, Reiko, Kai, and Jarek.

System Requirements:
Windows 7, 8, or 10, 1.8 GHz Processor, 512MB RAM, 3D graphics card compatible with DirectX 7 (compatible with DirectX 9 recommended), 2GB HDD. Note: Integrated graphics cards are not supported.

Revisit original promotional videos in the embedded player above to get a taste of things to come -- or explore the dark outcomes of MK4 in a previous MK Online feature. Tell us all about your experiences with MK4 via GOG in the comments below, then step into the 3D Kombat Klassics forum for more!

With an animated retelling of plot coming in Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpion's Revenge, and rumors of a modern remake; nostalgia for the original arcade Mortal Kombat is becoming surprisingly prescient. In the latest installment of the Angry Video Game Nerd webseries, AVGN is taking fans back to the past to play the MK home ports that... Well, you get the idea. Watch it here:

It seems like everyone is reexamining the original Mortal Kombat home ports. Digital Foundry put together the definitive study in their DF Retro episode, examining technical differences in just about every version. AVGN keeps the focus on the major Nintendo and Sega releases for a fairly gimmick-free review from a fan's perspective.

AVGN tackles the standard measure of graphics, music, and controls that defined the Mortal Kombat home experience during the great console war of 1993. All the usual suspects are there, including the oddity of Nintendo's censored "sweat" and the Sega Blood Code, as well as the frustrations of various adapted control schemes, such as the Gameboy and Game Gear. The episode also recalls the previous Mortal Monday look back.

[Related Article: Arcade 1up Mortal Kombat Klassic Arcade Machine]

You can also revisit Cinemassacre's reviews of The Journey Begins and MK Annihilation, or just nerd out about the original game in the comments below. If you wish to immerse yourself in the retro MK trilogy the 2D Kombat Klassics forum is for you!

The gloves were off at Final Kombat for the unveiling of the Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpion's Revenge red band trailer. Extreme violence and bad language are on the menu as kombat's most popular icons star in an exciting new retelling of the klassic Mortal Kombat mythology! Watch:

Scorpion takes center stage in the red band trailer, unleashed in a baptism of fire and blood as he takes the journey from family man Hanzo Hasashi, to the vengeful spirit of the murdered Shirai Ryu clan! All the players are here in this faithful adaptation, with Quan Chi and the elder Sub-Zero shaping the spectre who will haunt Shang Tsung's Mortal Kombat tournament!

Patrick Seitz stars as Scorpion, with Jordan Rodrigues as Liu Kang, Jennifer Carpenter as Sonya Blade, Joel McHale as Johnny Cage featuring in a retelling of the klassic story in a whole new way. All indications are this one will be for the hardcore fans!

Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpion's Revenge debuts digitally April 12th, and on home media April 28th with a raft of bonus features!

See more of Scorpion's Revenge in the first trailer and catch up on all the announcement details. Then tell us what you think in the comments section below. Find more on Mortal Kombat Legends in the Media & Merchandise forum.

The sixth and final fighter from Mortal Kombat 11's Kombat Pack has been a long time coming. At last, Spawn has arisen from Hell, unleashing the powers of darkness in a new gameplay trailer revealed during Final Kombat! See it for yourself right here:

Its been a gruelling ten months since Spawn was first officially announced. The latest trailer finally showcases the gameplay that had Todd McFarlane buzzing about the "crazy stuff" he can do!

The trailer perfectly pits Spawn against Scorpion in the intro, where he unleashes the chains of Hell against Mortal Kombat's famous ninja spectre. Spawn has many more tricks than Hanzo Hasashi, wielding his living cape, automatic weapons, a battle axe, sword, and the burning green necroplasm that is the source of his powers.

When it's time to finish the battle, his infernal chains and cape strip the opponent of their living flesh for a dramatic fatality. In his standard win pose, he's dragged back to Hell to face the sneering gaze of the devil that created him - Malebolgia!

Fan-favourite animated series actor Keith David lends gravitas to the voice of Al Simmons in intros. Die hard fans of Spawn should be able to find plenty to love about the latest gaming incarnation of the comic book anti-hero. You can examine the basic Spawn design closer in previously released official render art.

The comic book guest fighter isn't the only Spawn coming to early access downloads on March 17th! In the tradition of the DC inspired Cassie Quinn skin; Jacquit Briggs will receive a "Hellspawn" variant. The Matinee Skin Pack will also offer three new designs: Osh-Tekk Vandal Kotal Kahn, Swashbuckler Erron Black, and Space Marine Jacqui. Enlarge thumbnails below and rewatch the trailer for a closer look.

Spawn concludes the MK11 Kombat Pack downloadable content, which has also brought us Shang Tsung, Nightwolf, Sindel, and guest characters The Terminator and Joker. What's next for the hit fighting game? Share your thoughts about Spawn in the comments below and pledge your soul to the Mortal Kombat 11 for more!

The time for Final Kombat has finally arrived! Despite changes to attendance, the tournament final takes place in Chicago today! Watch all the action and reveal trailers live right here:

Final Kombat continues as advertised, boasting the Top 16 players in a final confrontation for Mortal Kombat 11 supremacy! The action will also break for the premiere unveiling of guest fighter Spawn and the red band trailer for animated feature Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpion's Revenge!

You can keep track of the tournament action with the bracket above. Finalize your reactions to all the unfolding battles and trailers as they happen by attacking the comments below! Find more to talk about by transitioning into the Mortal Kombat 11 forum!

Concerns for the spread of COVID-19 in the United States has led organizers to cancel live audience attendance at this weekend's FInal Kombat. The late announcement includes the complete cancellation of Saturday's Last Chance Qualifier event, and a closed broadcast of the Top 16 tournament and reveals.

NetherRealm Studios issued an online statement Friday night via social media platforms [pictured below], offering a full refund on General Attendance and Last Chance Qualifier tickets. Attendees who incurred non-refundable hotel and airfare expenses can also seek compensation by contacting organizers at mk@intersportnet.com.

The Final Kombat Pro Kompetition Finals will go ahead as scheduled, pitting the Top 16 Mortal Kombat 11 players against one another in a live streamed finale. There will also be a previously announced broadcast of the first official Spawn gameplay trailer, and red band trailer for April's Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpion's Revenge animated feature.

The outbreak of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has led to unprecedented global response in an effort to curb communal transmission. The BBC reports the virus has caused around 3,000 deaths since December 2019, but World Health Organization officials observe containment efforts successfully slowing the contagion.

Public safety precautions have already claimed several events, with this year's Game Developers Conference postponed and SXSW announcing its cancellation. Even James Bond couldn't beat the virus, delaying the release of No Time To Die by some seven months.

The late cancellation puts a crimp in Final Kombat, but the show will go on. Will you be watching live? Tell us in the comments below to share your thoughts and spread to the Mortal Kombat 11 forum for more.