With the impending arrival of Martian Manhunter as the fifth downloadable character, the question inevitably turns to what comes next for Injustice: Gods Among Us.
NetherRealm Studios have clearly been committed to a robust downloadable content strategy: going above and beyond their establishing work on Mortal Kombat (2011). [Injustice] is now one character ahead- with a mess of extra costumes, and the freshly minted DLC S.T.A.R. Labs Missions for the original Season Pass four. It will gain at least one more character soon, per a fresh twitter announcement.
Is Black Canary a "BIG" enough reveal?
Concept artwork for classic Justice Leaguer Black Canary got everyone wondering ahead of the Evo character reveal. As we note in our Arrow DLC Giveaway; the CW live-action Green Arrow series will introduce Black Canary in its second season.
The concept art [by artist Bernard Beneteau] shows a variety of adaptations of Black Canary's classic bodysuit and stockings. It must be said, the Canary does make a small cameo in the finished game, but could this be the sign of existing plans for something more? A self-fulfilling prophecy, now that it's out? Who ever it is coming, they're being billed as a ""BIG fan favorite request".
Of course, Black Canary is hardly the only character fans have been speculating about. Rumors of a Dr. Fate playable build resurfaced when Creative Director Ed Boon tweeted a photo with the hero seen on his PC desktop. Fans initiated through cartoons and teen stories have been enticed by Twitter polls featuring Red Hood -- Batman's once dead sidekick, Jason Todd. Zatanna & Powergirl have also been popular, gender conscious rumors. Could all of this be building to another Season Pass? According to Boon -- no.
Whether any of us like it, or are even aware of it, the world of fighting games is changing. The capacity of technology is such that a world of twenty-plus versions of Street Fighter II is not only unacceptable, but wholly unnecessary.
The downloadable revolution will likely change the fighting game in many ways, but for now, Compatibility Packs show us the support process is designed to favour a future that sustains the lifespan of any competitive game like Injustice.
Games like Tekken Revolution and Killer Instinct show us where this is heading. They aren't just dedicating themselves to support of a title and dedication to the post-release refining process -- they're making the title the platform. In other words, instead of relying on the bulk transaction of a disc in a box, they're now offering you the foundation for free, with micro transaction options offering a customizable consumer experience. It's a consumer experience that means instead of a sequel in two years, you could be looking forward to two years of new characters, and tech support.
Mortal Kombat arguably got this ball rolling with a considerate post-game strategy that threw a bone to die hard fans. Injustice is clearly taking the idea a step further, with a more thorough pre-meditated consumer strategy. Even if it's one step closer in design to the traditions of the generation prior, it is the forebear and direct relative of the platform-based concepts of Tekken and Killer Instinct. There almost certainly will be an end to Injustice DLC -- new consoles demand it. To stop at one post-Season Pass character, though? That seems unlikely.
NetherRealm Studios will be giving you an early sneak peek at Martian Manhunter when they launch a live preview stream July 29th (Monday) [full story]. You can submit what will inevitably be one of a Martian tonne of questions via the #NRSStream. Speculate more about future Injustice DLC and the usefulness of another Season Pass on the forums.
It was a fortnight ago Mortal Kombat Online was among the first sources to reveal Jim Lee's concept art for Scorpion! The Facebook first post proved popular with the extended MKOmmunity, even as controversy over guest characters continued in the build to Evo 2013.
The Mortal Kombat icon made the leap to Injustice: Gods Among Us in a June announcement [see trailer]. It garnered mixed response as the third of four character additions via the DLC Season Pass. The unique design by DC Comics' co-publisher and veteran artist, Lee, proved just as divisive as the inclusion itself. Examine the look further in the images below [click to enlarge].
The value of guest characters in fighting games is a debate that doesn't appear to be going away any time soon. Most major fighters have now incorporated a third-party guest into their playable ensembles. Mortal Kombat controversially indulged an obtuse guest fighter in horror icon Freddy Krueger -- segregated as DLC, but elevated to box art for the 2012 Komplete Edition. Kratos (of God of War) also appeared as a more palatable PlayStation 3 exclusive.
If Krueger -- included a full year after his return to screens in a disappointing 2010 remake -- represents the farthest stretch for relevance; Scorpion sits somewhere down the softer end of the scale.
As the spiritual successor to 2008's Midway swansong: Mortal Kombat vs DC Universe -- Injustice was a natural for a Mortal Kombat guest. It arrived over three years after the Warner Brothers acquisition [full story] and marked NetherRealm Studios' first major departure from the Mortal Kombat series. In truth, in embarking on the journey into Gods Among Us, Mortal Kombat Online was hoping for, and anticipating, just such an inclusion. It was a nice nod to everything leading up to it.
Perhaps our only glaring criticism was that Scorpion's inclusion wasn't a bit more creative. Sure, his iconic move set is all there, and we really like that this opportunity was utilized to give the character a unique look, based on a crossover talent. We just can't shake the thought it might have been better were it included on-disc.
We can completely empathize with consumers who purchased the $14.99DLC Season Pass expecting a DC fighting game to deliver DC characters. After all, the DC brand brings an expectation of crossover interest from a mainstream audience. With that in mind, it seemed like the perfect opportunity for NetherRealm to dip their toe back into the world of true blue, deep and mysterious video game secrets!
Mortal Kombat characters have crossed over into other games before. In-house Midway productions like NBA Jam and The Grid snuck characters like Sub-Zero and Raiden into secret unlockable appearances. With history of MKvsDC to play with -- and so few substantial surprises in the finished product -- we would've relished teasing glimpses of hellfire and a teleporting golden ninja.
In any event, Scorpion is here to stay. At $4.99 (400 MS Points), the infernal ninja can be purchased as an individual download, or accepted as part of the Season Pass. Injustice welcomes its fifth downloadable character next week, with the long anticipated arrival of Martian Manhunter! NetherRealm Studios will be streaming a live demo July 29 [full story] -- one day before the DLC goes live!
Martian Manhunter is the fifth downloadable content character to join the cast of Injustice: Gods Among Us. He hits DLC channels July 30 (Tuesday) -- but you'll be able to get a sneak peek of the much requested hero this Martian Monday!
NetherRealm Studios will be streaming Martian Manhunter gameplay Monday (29th) and want your questions! Use the Twitter hashtag #NRSStream to send all your deranged requests direct to the poor guy in charge of sifting through them.
Update (7/29):Stream embedded below. Goes live 8:00PM CST!Update:Archive now embedded below.
Mortal Kombat Online has something for the fiscally infertile, too! Enter our TV inspired Arrow Skin Forum Giveaway to style and profile your way into Monday! Join the Gods Among Us in the DC Universe Injustice forum! Be sure to follow us @MK_Online and like us on Facebook!
It's the $14.99 that keeps on giving! Fans who purchased the DLC Season Pass can today look forward to downloading new S.T.A.R. Labs Missions in the latest update to Injustice: Gods Among Us!
Update (7/25):Please note: The STAR Labs DLC has been delayed. We're waiting for official word on a new expected date. Season Pass holders should keep their eyes peeled and help keep us abreast of changes on the forums.Update:Good to go!
Today's downloadable content delivers 10 S.T.A.R. Labs missions for each of the four Season Pass characters: Lobo, Batgirl, General Zod and even Mortal Kombat guest character: Scorpion! That's a whopping 40 extra missions, kids! [Yay, math!]
The update is free of charge for holders of the Season Pass, or $1.99 for everyone else. The pack should be available to players on all platforms, with Nintendo Wii U joining the DLC party earlier in the month [read more]!
While on your digital store of choice, you can also pick up the Ame-Comi Girls Skin Pack released for San Diego Comic Con! The $2.99 download includes new outfits for Wonder Woman, Catwoman & Harley Quinn [full story]! If you're strapped for cash, you can always enter our Arrow Skin Giveaway to win a limited Green Arrow based on the hit TV series!
Arriving July 30th -- Martian Manhunter will be the first character available to download since the conclusion of the Season Pass! There are no details regarding similar S.T.A.R. Labs missions for the belated fan-favourite, or any other factors. It remains to be seen if there will be additional passes issued, or more individual characters. Revealed with an announcement trailer during the 2013 Evo Championships, the Manhunter will be $4.99 (400 MS Ppints).
Discuss all the Gods Among Us DLC and much more on the DC Universe Injustice forum! For additional Injustice: Gods Among Us updates be sure to like us on Facebook!
By now, you'll have no doubt read our recap of the Mortal Kombat: Legacy II convention panel [full story]. Thanks to YouTube user TheGamerJulie you can draw your own conclusions by watching her amateur footage of the event [embedded below].
As previously reported, the panel was headed up by series director Kevin Tancharoen and a rogues gallery of cast & crew: Lance Sloane (Producer), Aaron DeBevoise (Machinima Executive VP of Network Programming), Brian Tee (Liu Kang), Ian Anthony Dale (Scorpion), Samantha Jo (Kitana) & special guest Ed Boon (Mortal Kombat co-creator). Editor-in-chief of Rotten Tomatoes, Matt Atchity, played moderator.
Not included in the fan footage is the special preview scene: A battle between Johnny Cage (Van Dien) and Mileena (Michelle Lee). The clip also features the intervention of Jo's Kitana and contains some relatively significant spoilers. For the who, what, why and how, you should take the time to read our panel review [spoiler warning].
Mortal Kombat: Legacy II Cast with Ed Boon at SDCC [via @noobde]
When you're done watching the Comic Con Panel, get more of the SDCC experience via: Brian Tee's photos from the Con [full story], and our spotlight on the Legacy II Promo Poster [full story]. Get even more in depth info in our Legacy II Kompendium and discuss it all on the Media & Merchandise forum!
The second season of Mortal Kombat: Legacy is gearing up for a much anticipated September debut! The show held court at this years San Diego Comic Con -- hyping up fans with a glimpse of what's to come at a special live panel [full story].
Promotional posters from the con are already fetching a pretty penny on eBay, but thanks to a little Photoshop magic from fans, you can get a clear look at the banner for free:
Mortal Kombat: Legacy II SDCC Promo Poster [Edited by @EarthRealm]
Legacy II adapts the classic story from the first game into an all new tournament take by Kevin Tancharoen. As previously reported, the sequel series boasts lethal finishers, but aims to tell a story about characters, as well.
Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa returns to the role he made famous in the 1995 feature film, starring as Shang Tsung! Ian Anthony Dale and Samantha Jo reprise their roles as Scorpion and Kitana from the first series.
Also pictured in the poster: Brian Tee (Liu Kang), Casper Van Dien (Johnny Cage), David Lee McInnis (Raiden) and that's either Harry Shum Jr or Eric Steinberg as Sub-Zero (top).
You may remember her as the original winner of America's Next Top Model. If not, you might be more familiar with her posterior -- deemed illegal by San Diego authorities in the Summer of 2011. What ever Adrianne Curry is to you, she will likely now be the girl who was Mileena.
Accompanied by friend Alicia Marie (as Jade) -- the model and pop culture enthusiast brought a little Mortal Kombat to the floor of this year's San Diego Comic Con.
Adrianne Curry & Alicia Marie dress business casual for afternoon stroll. [via @The Daily Mail]
It's been a long time since SDCC was reserved for the comics and superheroes that started it all. As the Comic Con phenomenon has grown, the breadth of subjects represented has expanded to accommodate a broader pop spectrum. Mortal Kombat: Legacy was one of many film and television projects with an overall dominant presence at this year's event [full story].
Variations on the simple "ninja" theme -- from the Mortal Kombat movie(s), or early games -- have had a steady presence for quite some time. Since the 2011 reboot, however, MK Kosplay seems to have stepped it up a notch. Costumes are appearing in greater number, with ever increasing attention to the accuracy and quality of the designs.
Warner Brothers themselves have helped spur this movement, launching the game with heavily promoted official cosplay models [read more]. We'll presume it's that factor that led Business Insider to take an interested in the development of Curry's ensemble. We're also quite confident tailoring is what will attract your interest in more images from SDCC.
Curry may have delighted crowds, light content providers, and even posed with Mortal Kombat co-creator Ed Boon -- but as she documents in graphic detail, it wasn't all fun and games.
An allergic reaction to latex prevented prolonged use of a character authentic Mileena mouthpiece. The Tarkatan grin left the model frowning, as revealed in a pre-Con Facebook post. After a few days walking the con, it sounds like the toll was significant.
"Bruises cover my body from head to toe...flesh is torn off my nips and other areas from double stick tape...I have open wounds on my scalp from wigs...and the blood and ooze from open blisters saturate my socks.....Cosplay, ladies and gentlemen!"
Cosplay is always welcome on Mortal Kombat Online! Share your live-action realizations with the kreative community on the Fan Submission forum! Like us on Facebook for extra content like this!
The CW's Arrow is gearing up for a big second season, producing a raft of exciting announcements from San Diego Comic Con! Mortal Kombat: Legacy's Michael Jai White will feature as martial arts mercenary Bronze Tiger, along with the anticipated arrival of GA's long term love interest: Black Canary! To celebrate the new trailer, Mortal Kombat Online wants to put a little Arrow into your Injustice: Gods Among Us!
For a chance to claim download codes for the limited Arrow Skin (voiced by star Stephen Amell) all you have to do is post in the kontest thread and tell us why Green Arrow is so darn awesome!
We want these codes to go to players who'll enjoy them! Anyone who has a copy of Injustice (for the appropriate region) should feel encouraged to register for the forums and enter the draw! We're giving away North American codes for both the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, so make sure you include some indication of your console of choice in your user profile [where space is provided].
Participating winners will be drawn at random July 28th (next week) and notified via Mortal Kombat Online User Inbox. A complete list will also be published in an update to this article. One code will be offered per winner. All entrants must adhere to basic forum guidelines. Clone accounts will be disqualified and banned.
Winners receive ranking points and should be encouraged to join other conversations in the DC Universe Injustice forum! Whilst there, fans can dive in to TV's hottest archer in the Arrow topic! Support the site by liking and sharing this topic via Twitter & Facebook!
He was far and away one of the most requested characters omitted from the final Injustice: Gods Among Us playable roster. Now Martian Manhunter is officially making his way to downloadable content starting July 30!
The hugely popular character is known to many as the 'soul of the Justice League' and was a shock omission from the DC fighter. A cameo in the JLA satellite only served to further demand for the obvious inclusion. An announcement and trailer at Evo Championships 2013 was met with almost universal praise. Martian Manhunter was #1 on our pre-game Top 10 Heroes we most wanted to see [see also; Top 10 Villains].
Martian Manhunter will be the first complete new character added since the conclusion of the four-character DLC Season Pass. A Green Lantern skin based on the 1971 alternate ring bearer John Stewart will be released as part of the next Compatibility Pack [see; v1.05].
As if that wasn't enough: July 23rd will see the release of 10 S.T.A.R. Labs Missions for each of the Season Pass characters. New challenges for Lobo, Batgirl, General Zod and guest fighter Scorpion will be free to Season Pass holders, or $1.99 via the store. Also freshly released during Comic Con -- the Ame-Comi Girls Skin Pack! Discuss DLC and more on the DC Universe Injustice forum!
We've never had the pleasure of meeting Brian Tee in person, but for all intents and purposes, he seems like a real swell guy! Whilst attending San Diego Comic Con for the Mortal Kombat: Legacy II live panel [full story], he helped keep Mortal Kombat Online [@MK_Online] in the loop via Twitter (@Brian_Tee).
Here are some of the snaps he shared live from the event [plus one from Ed]!
Audiences will see Tee soon as Noburo Mori in the long awaited big screen adaptation of Chris Claremont and Frank Miller's 1982 Marvel Comics mini-series: The Wolverine. Appearing as a corrupt Japanese Minister of Justice, he'll be competing for the affections of the woman Wolverine loves in the central story.
Again, we think Brian Tee seems downright nice, but corruption is a theme that will follow him into the dark reimagined world of Mortal Kombat: Legacy II.
Brian Tee & Ed Boon: Just a couple of swell guys! [via @noobde]
The Japanese born actor will assume the role of Liu Kang: martial arts hero and traditional Shaolin champion of Mortal Kombat. It was a role he initially wasn't keen to take [full story], but has long since embraced.
As noted, this version of Liu Kang will be anything but traditional, reinventing the classic in complete reverse gear. The actor discussed the corrupt and conflicted new version during the Legacy convention panel [via Polygon].
"He has become this anti-hero and you don't know which side he's going to pick. It really goes into the character in-depth and the reasons why he is in this tormented state of mind."
Hosted by Machinima, the series will debut freely on YouTube in September. Get the full story on the live-action series in our Legacy II Kompendium. Find and discuss more in the Media & Merchandise forum.
With a previously released schedule putting the debut some time in September; Thursday's Mortal Kombat: Legacy II panel was unlikely to reveal all the secrets fans are waiting for. That said, San Diego Comic Con would still deliver plenty of talking points with a general trailer, and special previews.
Legacy Director Kevin Tancharoen headed the Comic Con panel, opposite stars; Brian Tee (Liu Kang), Casper Van Dien (Johnny Cage), Ian Anthony Dale (Scorpion), and Samantha Jo (Kitana). They were joined by Producer Lance Sloane and Machinima Executive VP of Network Programming: Aaron DeBevoise.
The main event was footage featuring a brutal three-way dance between Johnny Cage, Mileena & Kitana. It clearly addressed concerns about the quality of action seen in the first series, but would come with a qualifier almost in contrast to its content.
By all accounts, "fatality" was the word of the day at the SDCC panel, but as Polygon inferred (from their interview with the director), the messages were slightly mixed. Legacy II may be keen to sell you murderous finishing moves taken from the games, but Tancharoen insists that won't come at the cost of storytelling, or a projected Season 3.
The Mortal Kombat: Legacy II SDCC Panel [via @Machinima_com]
For the most part, the panel told us versions of what we already know. The series of shorts will document a linear account of the Mortal Kombat tournament, building chapters around relationships of intrinsically linked duos. Scorpion & Sub-Zero, Liu Kang & Kung Lao, and Kitana & MIleena are all set to be in the spotlight, featured in versions of familiar plot.
Taken at face value, it seems as if the rivalry between Kitana and her half-breed "sister" Mileena will be short lived come Legacy II. In the special extended preview clip, Johnny Cage finds himself ousted from a fight with Mileena, when Kitana interjects. The resulting exchange was described by IGN as a "knock-down, drag out battle" that ends with some degree of martial, fan-related decapitation.
One of the best known duos absent from the line-up is Sonya & Jax. Announced as part of the original character roster, they were axed due to scheduling conflicts. Series 1 stars Jeri Ryan and Michael Jai White both made their status known early in pre-production, with White eyeing a movie role return [full story]. The iconic four-armed boss Goro was another publicly discussed character from the tournament; forced to be omitted due to budget.
Mortal Kombat co-creator Ed Boon joined the panel as a marquee special guest and representative of the source material. His contributions varied from the thrilling, to the diplomatic. As the voice of Scorpion for over twenty years [see; Injustice]; Boon thrilled fans by bellowing the immortal line, "Get over here!" It's a feat the NetherRealm Studios Creative Director performs live with surprising rarity, so it's well worth a look [embedded below].
Ed Boon: really just wishes you'd come a little closer.
[Boon]'s take on the transition from game to live-action is less source loyal than his famous catch cry -- generous to the significant license taken by Tancharoen and the Legacy series.
"One of the coolest things about this second series is that it's a reinterpretation of the characters. We're retelling the origins of the characters. Sometimes it's consistent with the games and sometimes it's a different spin, which I find very interesting. I don't think we should keep repeating the same story, especially as we are doing something more contemporary now."
Given the games' penchant for revisiting old plot -- quite literally, in the most recent reboot installment of the games -- Boon may be incriminating himself ever so slightly. Kindly support for the show is the real message, but it may take more than a pleasant nod from the father of Kombat to convince die hard fans.
In their account: Polygon calls the focus on story and character in Legacy II "new". It's towing a line initiated by the director himself, who pitches his efforts in the second series as "push[ing] the limits" of the "storytelling of the characters." He follows on, "That is not something that people might expect from a Mortal Kombat story, which is about battles and fatalities, but I want to go deeper than that."
It's inflammatory language to fans of the games, who've long appreciated their ability to go beyond the side-to-side fights that drive the gameplay. Tancharoen is right to note the low expectations fighting game stories are often saddled with, but may be overstepping himself by implying those assumptions are right.
While the kung fu film inspired fatality system has long been a well known trademark -- it's never been the crux of the Mortal Kombat experience. In an interview with Mortal Kombat Online, series co-creator John Tobias noted, "... anyone who really believes that the only reason players play MK is for the violence probably has never really played MK." It's much of Tobias' work as writer and character designer that Tancharoen will be loosely working from. His interest typically appears cursory, at best [read more].
With the largest viewership for an original series on YouTube [more], you've got to think Mortal Kombat: Legacy did something right. With views peaking in the tens of millions, the phenomenon has clearly found a broad audience, even in its self-described flawed form. With an apparent disregard for the original material, we can't call this a series explicitly for fans, but it's certainly reached plenty in its divisive manner, and will continue to do so.
According to IGN, the director expressed interest in bringing Sonya back for Series 3. Cult favourite Kabal has also been teased for a Series 3 role, having previously been reserved for the expected feature film [full story]. Though nothing has been confirmed, there is clearly an active interest to continue the web anthology, even if the long rumoured feature film should stall.
Mortal Kombat: Legacy II will be available freely when it premieres on YouTube in September. The show is a featured presentation of Machinima, who recently had Kevin Tancharoen tease the show during their 24 Hour Prime Birthday Stream. Get the detailed stories in our Legacy II Kompendium and discuss it all in the Media & Merchandise forum.
Hollywood may have trampled mud on the rugs, but we're still celebrating San Diego Comic Con with a splash of comic book superheroes! The Injustice Facebook has delivered a new trailer for the Ame-Comic Skin Pack available now via downloadable content!
Ame-Comi Girls may be part of the digital-first DC Comics stable, but it's origins technically lie in Japanese-inspired collectible figurines.
That Eastern influence fuels Manga-esque, high velocity action in a comic written by Injustice consultant Jimmy Palmiotti, and his long-time partner in crime: Justin Gray.
The series documents the adventures of an alternate DC Universe where fairer sex dominates the superhero landscape! It stars all new versions of Wonder Woman, Powergirl, Batgirl, Supergirl, Flash, Steel, Jade, Hawkgirl, & many more! They battle the villainous likes of Brainiac, Sinestra, Star Sapphire & zombies!
Ame-Comi features new skins for the Bad Girls trio!
The downloadable three-character skin pack features NetherRealm Studios' Ame-Comi take on Wonder Woman, Harley Quinn & Catwoman. The all-girl trio [pictured above] previously received comic book inspired new looks via the Bad Girls DLC pack.
The downloadable content train doesn't look to be stopping any time soon! Martian Manhunter was revealed during the 2013 Evo Championships as the fifth DLC character. A Green Lantern skin featuring popular alternate John Strewart was also unveiled [to be included with the next Compatibility Pack update].
In a fresh SDCC announcement; Season Pass holders can look forward to new S.T.A.R. Labs Missions for the four download characters: Lobo, Batgirl, General Zod & Scorpion. Each character receives 10 missions, available free to season pass holders, or $1.99. They will be released this coming Tuesday, July 23rd.
Garish colourful costumes, trademark fighting manoeuvres, good versus evil, and a World Championship hanging in the balance. It's difficult to know if we're describing Mortal Kombat, or the wild world of professional wrestling!
In an interview with Wrestle Talk TV; recently returned WWE superstar Rob Van Dam revealed his close calls with a Mortal Kombat inspired wrestling gimmick in the mid-nineties. Fans of the now defunct World Championship Wrestling (WCW) may remember the resulting Glacier character [pictured top].
"I've had some offers that didn't sound too appealing. When I was in ECW defending the television title, I had an offer from WCW, but they wanted to turn me into a Mortal Kombat character. [...] Even after they made Glacier, they said 'it's okay. We're gonna make a whole bunch of them. We're gonna make a big group of Mortal Kombat guys, and you'll have mask.'"
Better recognized as a piece of cultural trivia than wrestling accomplishment; the character was the burden of Raymond Lloyd -- a martial artist versed in Hung Gar, Judo and Kempo. It's said Lloyd's role was appealing to on-screen WCW President and martial arts practitioner, Eric Bischoff.
Arguments can be made about whether or not characters like this were out of place in mid-nineties pro wrestling. What's undeniable is the reach of Mortal Kombat by this time. The games were already a global phenomenon: Mortal Kombat II reportedly the first game to surpass Hollywood box office [via @noobde]. One year before the debut of Glacier, Mortal Kombat was setting its own box office benchmark with a film that took the fighter to mass audiences. It remains one of the most successful video game movie adaptations and a favourite among audiences [read more].
Mortal Kombat and WCW would collide again during the 1998-1999 run of Mortal Kombat: Conquest on TNT. The live-action MK series followed WCW Monday Nitro during its ratings height. Wrestlers Meng (Haku) and Wrath (Bryan Clark) made guest appearances as burly menaces in two separate episodes of the show.
Noting Rob Van Dam's unique martial arts inspired ring style, the potential for another MK homage makes sense. Of course, given the independent success of the ECW Television Champion at the time, it's also undeniable that turning it down was the right decision to make. RVD returned to WWE at the July 14 PPV Money in the Bank. The former WWE Champion has been on a six year hiatus, last appearing at that level in 2007.
Special thanks to MKOmmunity user m0s3pH for forwarding the wrestler's interview [via WrestleZone]. Found something interesting? We want to know! Forward your tips via the newslead submission form!
While Mortal Kombat got things started with a hotly contested third straight Evo Championship [full story] -- Injustice: Gods Among Us reserved a titanic two day stretch for its Evo debut!
Officially released just three months prior; Injustice would ride a wave of relevance into its first Evo World Championship. A bulging bracket of 148 players would compete for mastery over the DC Universe, with several international players making the trek to the Las Vegas major! JustinXavier (Justin Rutherford) represented the United Kingdom; Ricardo Carvalho represented Brazil; EM Jinx (Alan Franscisco Garza Leal) represented Mexico; HeadButtPeru (Gustavo Balvin) represented Peru; and a triple threat of Emumaki (Daisuke Mimaki), Jeo (Jieo Ikenuma) & Tomo (T M) carried Japanese interests into the tournament. Injustice was notably NetherRealm Studios' return to the fighting game mecca, released in Japan in June [full story].
Sadly, none of the international interests were able to crack a field dominated by the United States! Emumaki had a strong showing with a 3-2 record that included being bumped out of the Winners list by Tom Brady and his infamous Aquaman. HAZ Never Goin Pro would finish Japan's rising star, but not before he dealt a repeat defeat to Napalm 88 in the Losers Bracket. The United Kingdom's JustinXavier went one better with a 4-2 result. He was beaten twice by Jkun Unleashed!
In the end, it would come down to a mix of the familiar and the encroaching Gods Among Us insurgents. Mortal Kombat finalists DJT and REO returned to the Top 8, but it was DJT who once again flew into the Grand Final, albeit with two dramatic time limit wins against NYChris G.
KDZ put an end to the hopes of Blind Ducky & mfslayer909 to make the Grand Final, but would win few fans with his choice of an ever dominant Superman. In the end, boos rang out as The Man of Steel earned KDZ a straight sets 3-0 against DJT.
MK Champion Crazy DJT 88 meets VxG EMP KDZ in the Evo Championship Final!
2013 Injustice Evo World Championship Top Eight: 1. VxG EMP KDZ (Superman)
2. Crazy DJT 88 (Green Lantern, Doomsday)
3. AGE NYChrisG (Green Arrow)
4. EGP FLK MF Slayer909 (Superman)
5. RDK Godspeed (Aquaman, Black Adam)
5. EMPR Theo (Superman)
7. VxG EMP REO (Batman)
7. PR Balrog (Killer Frost)
Once again, Mortal Kombat Online congratulates all the finalists in NetherRealm Studios' second Evo Championship series! We fully expect Injustice will continue to have no trouble finding a place in the competitive scene. With any luck, Mortal Kombat will remain right there beside it, as well.
Evo 2013 was also the scene where Martian Manhunter was revealed as the first post-Season Pass DLC character! Follow that story for a trailer, including the induction of a new, popularly requested Green Lantern skin!
Before we say goodbye to the Evo Championship of 2013, be sure to c heck out related articles: our pre-tournament interview with Osu16bit [read more]; a full recap of the Mortal Kombat finals [read more]; and a 2012 flashback via the Road to Evo Featurette series [read more]. Find these stories and more on the DC Universe Injustice & Gameplay & Matchmaking forums!
Current interest forced Mortal Kombat into an early morning Friday start, but with two years of history to build upon, it was the perfect way to set the tone for the 2013 Evo World Championship!
Casual fans joined MK diehards in the tens of thousands to stream the live heats online: A testament to the staying power and excitement of the 2011 Kombat reboot! Evo 2013 finished with a total viewership of 1.7 million viewers on the Twitch service -- a record [via Polygon].
The story of the tournament would inevitably be the return of two-time defending champion: Perfect Legend. Increased activity during the abbreviated 2013 seeding series revealed feet of clay, but as commented in a pre-tournament interview, "EVO PL is a different animal."
This year, the animal was wounded.
Two days ahead of his Championship defense, Carl White was admitted to hospital with headaches, blurred vision & vomiting. An image tweeted from his bed painted a stark contrast to the triumphant young man who 'fought back tears' in 2011, and played with confidence in 2012. On July 10, it seemed as if the Legend would be forced to end with a whimper. Dexterity, determination and game tech would fall by the wayside as White was forced to put his fate in the hands of modern medicine. The Perfect One was exposed as a mere mortal -- but a mortal cleared to travel!
Fifty-three players filled a reduced Mortal Kombat bracket from the 2012 blockbuster. Slightly smaller numbers may have shunted a few top players out of the field, but those that remained would only increase the pressure on the defending Champion! A complimentary draw gave the defending champ a smooth run to the finals, but once there, he would face some of his most threatening contemporaries!
Heats saw GGA Soonk become the #1 seeds first major challenger, having taken out EGP Krayzie in an earlier bout. Perfect Legend showed little signs of illness, striding confidently into the Winners 16 with wins over a rogues gallery of unfortunates: Runwaymafia, Ak Reno Raks, Son ov Timett & GGA Soonk. His next opponent would be a seasoned force in noobe, but with manoeuvres elsewhere in the bracket shaking things up, expectations were rapidly narrowing.
Kenshi kingpin Pig of the Hut was a surprise early exit in heats, increasing Osu16bit's stock as a tournament favourite! GGA's King of Kitana already had the luck of the draw on his side, receiving a bye into the winners 8. He wasn't the only one benefitting from improved match-ups. 2012 Runner-Up CD Jr shocked everyone with a lax performance, falling into the Losers Bracket after an upset result from FOREVER KING! The result redirected prospects of a 2012 Finals rematch between Jr and Legend.
Intense competition in the winners bracket would see several names rise as suitors to the crown. MyGod 88 started people talking with his dismissal of Rev0lvr and MIT. Top prospect DetroitBalln fell into the losers when he met DJT 88 -- a Cyrax player with a moderately safe draw. FOREVER KING couldn't stop Perfect Legend's perfect run, but earned his way back into favour with a win over Balln. Wound Cowboy claimed CD Jr relatively early in the Losers Bracket, but would fall to a quietly stalking REO -- another early drop-off, thriving in the second chance circuit!
The stage was set for a thrilling finals series, but the game changed completely when DJT 88 did the unthinkable -- defeating Perfect Legend with a compelling performance as Cyrax! With blood in the water; Perfect Legend's 2011 rival REO was more than happy to finish the job! REO was initially slapped back for his impetuousness, but when the challenger found his in, he took the shaken Champion for a 2-0 elimination victory! With the Champion left for dead, this deadly alliance would be destined to meet in one epic final!
2013 Evo Championship Grand Final: DJT 88 (Cyrax) d. VxG EMP REO (Kabal) 3-2 2-0 1-2 2-1 1-2 2-1
vXg EMP REO rises to battle Crazy DJT 88 in the Evo Championship Grand Final!
For the third time Mortal Kombat would be contested at the Evo World Championship level! For the first time, it would be without Perfect Legend! The crowd was clearly behind DJT's campaign to be the long awaited Kabal Killer -- but with CD Jr in his corner, REO would initially look good to come out strong and do what he couldn't in 2011!
With the title on the line, DJT wasted no time in making a statement. The opening round was a mechanical demolition: Cyrax able to press the advantage to prevent any adequate response. Round 2 saw a more timid approach as the pair kept distance. When the dancing ended -- DJT showed courage under fire, keeping REO cornered with a smooth anti-air out of a stunted 10-hit combo!
The psychological edge of REO's need to reset (out of losers) could've toppled any defense, but words for CD jr seemed to have a calming effect. Match 2 looked like an REO special, turning the tables with strong zoning and a decisive corner juggle. DJT's smart and patient style made REO accountable all the way, but Kabal remained nimble and ready with breakers and counters. With a rhythm setting in, both players looked too even to separate!
Maintaining the winners advantage, DJT took a 2-1 lead. Ironically, the tension felt like liberty for REO. With a Losers reset waiting, the pressure was spread, and he played like a man with a second chance. In a reversal of the opening round, REO decimated an unprepared Cyrax. In a shock twist, REO conceded a massive 80% damage, but still finished the round with a full meter for Round 2. It came in handy, but DJT's assault was unrelenting as REO took the back foot. The challenger endured to go 2-2, but the momentum was a pendulum swinging in DJT's favour!
With the world watching and a live crowd right behind him, DJT exploded! REO was completely overwhelmed and man-handled in the opening round of the fifth! Clearly on the ropes, REO scrambled to keep distance. Neck and neck, DJT struggled to break through, finding himself in a narrow loss via combo. The seconds ticked away in the final round as REO once again took a passive zone. Breakers continued to be a staple of the Kabal game, but DJT showed tenacity in his efforts to apply pressure after twenty seconds of range. Aerial kombat went in Cyrax' favour and the Championship was suddenly in DJT's net! You could almost taste the adrenaline as Kabal snapped into a sudden spring of frenetics -- only to be shut down. DJT's Cyrax wins Evo 2013!
2013 Evo Championship Final Top Sixteen: 1. Crazy DJT 88 (Cyrax)
2. VxG EMP REO (Kabal)
3. MKU MyGod88 (Sonya, Liu Kang)
4. FOREVER KING 88 (Kung Lao, Sonya, Kenshi)
5. FNATIC|Perfect Legend (Kung Lao, Kabal)
5. GGA Osu16bit (Kitana)
7. WoundCowboy 88 (Shang Tsung)
7. C.O.R.N DetroitBalln (Kabal)
9. Pig of the Hut (Kenshi)
9. EGP PboardPlayer 88 (Kung Lao, Ermac, Kenshi)
9. CD Jr (Kung Lao)
9. Crazy MIT 88 (Scorpion, Sonya)
13. GGA Soonk (Kabal)
13. GGA Wafflez (Smoke)
13. GGA Dizzy (Johnny Cage)
13. KH_Scar (Skarlet)
Mortal Kombat Online congratulates all the players who competed in this year's Mortal Kombat tournament! We were thrilled by the quality of competition that made this an impressive third outing for the upstart US fighter! We hope players, developers and tournament organizers will continue to recognize MK as one of the most exciting fighters on the tour!
As promised, Creative Director Ed Boon was live at the 2013 Evo Championships to reveal the first new Injustice: Gods Among Us downloadable character since the conclusion of the four-character Season Pass. To the surprise of few, Martian Manhunter has finally concluded the leap from background cameo to fully playable design!
Also joining the DLC line-up is a Green Lantern skin inspired by the long requested John Stewart version. Although well entrenched in comic book lore -- having taken the mantle after his debut in 1971 -- the character is perhaps best known for his conscientious inclusion in the Bruce Timm produced Justice League cartoon. As is true of most Green Lantern Corps characters: Stewart can be characterized by his unique use of his power ring. It is as yet unknown if the skin will alter the Green Lantern's play style.
Martian Manhunter has been a staple of the Justice League for decades and proved a fairly shocking omission from the original playable cast of Injustice. His status has long been regarded as making him the heart of the Justice League, if not the DC Universe itself. The popular hero had innocuous beginnings as an intrigue character introduced to Detective Comics in 1955, but has grown in status, making use of a raft of abilities that dub him the 'Swiss army knife' of superheroes. Trademarks include shape-shifting & molecular manipulation, invisibility, super-strength, flight, & telepathy. His detective alias of John Jones gets a hatless nod in the intro, but hardcore J'onn J'onnz comics fans may find the Injustice representation a passing grade and no more. A consistent criticism throughout Injustice can be the trade-off of NetherRealm's newfound tournament credibility at the expense of creative depth [full review].
Last year, Mortal Kombat Online named Martian Manhunter our #1 in the Top 10 DC Heroes we most wanted to see in Injustice. The hero was teased recently in a post-credits Scorpion DLC trailer cameo. More downloadable characters are anticipated, with Doctor Fate and Black Canary topping speculation, among many others.
Injustice: Gods Among Us is currently appearing in its first Evo tournament. Share Evo results and speculation on the forum. Discuss all things Gods Amogn Us on the DC Universe Injustice forum.
The 2013 Evo Championship is upon us! The internationally renowned tournament event brings together some of the world's biggest names in competitive gaming! In anticipation of Mortal Kombat's third straight year at the major -- and Injustice: Gods Among Us' first run -- we reached out to one of the favourites to challenge Perfect Legend and his perfect Evo record.
He's perhaps best known as 'The King of Kitana' , but Steve Brownback's fandom within the competitive scene goes much further than playing favourites! He was the 2011 SoCal Champion and a regular fixture of Mortal Kombat's brief 2012 run with Major League Gaming. He's been host of The Kombat Tomb podcast, a patron of the Galloping Ghost Arcade, and recently graduated to game tester for NetherRealm Studios' DC fighter: Injustice: Gods Among Us.
While he travelled to Las Vegas for the Evo tournament by plane, 16bit talked to us about the controversy surrounding the game tester issue, his preparations for Evo 2013 & and what he expects for the tournament.
[MKO]: Yo! [Osu16bit]: Hello and thanks for the opportunity to hype up EVO! I'm literally doing this interview on the plane to Vegas.
What have you done to prepare for Evo 2013? My preparation has been the same as always: lots and lots of play at [Galloping Ghost Aracde, Chicago]. Every session we have a bunch of setups with both MK and Injustice. The interesting thing about EVO is how they release the brackets early, so we've known our likely opponents and can practice those match ups.
Which character(s) do you expect to play? In MK I'll be using Kitana as always. She's served me well for two years [and] I haven't changed my play style, either. I would say I maxed out my gameplay for the most part around late 2012. It'll just come down to if I play well.
In IGAU I'll be using Killer Frost. Unlike MK, I'm not 100% loyal to my character. I also love Catwoman, Batgirl and Hawkgirl. For now I've been practicing KF the most and she will be my only tournament character.
Who do you think the major threats will be in this years Championship? For MK it's all about Perfect Legend. Carl vs the World is the major storyline going into this tournament. I've beaten PL the last two times we've played, but EVO PL is a different animal.
In IGAU I'm most worried about Black Adam, especially Godspeed and Rico Sauve. I'm also concerned about the unknown. This early in a game's life, anyone can be good with any character. I expect a lot of upsets and maybe 1 or 2 unknowns to place top 7. If you all remember in 2011, no one predicted myself or DJT to place top 8. I think the same thing will happen. Some crazy Grundy or something might come out of the woodwork and surprise us all.
How do you like your chances for winning this year's title? I am confident I can place top 8 in MK. Winning is another story. Except for SCR I haven't been a major winner. Too many good players out there and because I only use Kitana, there's guys like Pig of the Hut I simply never beat. I'm cool with that, though. I just hope for Top 8 and for my GGA friends to do well, too. Personally I think it'll come down to GGA Dizzy and PL!
In IGAU I am less confident. For whatever reason my Killer Frost hasn't delivered in tournament yet. I've been placing 9th. I feel like my instincts and 2/3 tournament set game plan just isn't there yet. I seem to play sloppy and desperate. If I can overcome that and have some luck on my side I might be able to do well. We'll see.
If you win the tournament - what is your arcade ending scene? If I did win my ending scene would be a huge pop off where I'm screaming and pounding my chest so hard the hotel staff shuts the tournament down. I then use the prize money to buy pizza for all of team GGA.
How do you feel about game testers entering the Injustice tournament? Is there an issue? I do not think it's an issue. I can tell you from working on the game that it changed very much in development and the game the testers played for a couple weeks in early 2013 is very different from what we are playing now. With improved online and training mode I think everyone has caught up. The guys winning that were testers are winning because they are gifted fighting game players. You know, a guy like Chris G was invited to test the game because he's good. He's not good because he tested. I would say for myself that I've become much better since the game has been out and that's from playing with my training partners.
Before I go I just want to say I hope everyone tunes in Friday for MK. Despite being two years old I still love the game and I know EVO will have super hype, high quality matches. Props to everyone that still watches the streams and follows the scene. We may be smaller now with IGAU releases but it's still fun to me. Peace MKO!
Mortal Kombat Online must send sincere thanks to Osu16bit for taking part in this last minute Q&A! We wish he and Team GGA the best of luck in Las Vegas!
Perfect Legend has been the man to beat for two years! Relive his successful title defense in our archived result of the 2012 Evo Mortal Kombat Championship! The 2012 event has been the feature of a special four-part featurette series called The Road to Evo. You can watch it now to relive the journey of top players from New York City & the United Kingdom!
Read more interviews in the Interview Archive, including discussions with 2-time Evo World Champion Perfect Legend, Osu16bit & more! Share your Evo 2013 experience with us on the forums!
2012 was a massive year for Mortal Kombat! Not only was it the 20th Anniversary of the original game, but also the second year the current iteration would be contested at the Evo World Championship!
Released in its original form in April 2011; the Mortal Kombat reboot consolidated a dedicated competitive fanbase throughout 2012 -- growing bigger, badder and better in the second year.
The Road to Evo seeding series of 2012 inducted a new regime of dominant players, in the US and abroad. By the time the July major arrived; targets were mounted, rivalries were established, and a massive field of players was ready to challenge the established hierarchy. Mortal Kombat at Evo 2012 was destined to be something special, and cameras were rolling as the action unfolded.
When the Mortal Kombat IP was acquired from a bankrupt Midway [in 2009] -- nobody was quite sure what to expect. Warner Brothers promised better resources, but nobody could truly anticipate the breadth of investment that would follow. The reinvention of MK would be more than cross-media licensing. The game makers would focus their attentions on newly competitive, hardcore gameplay; setting the stage for WB to invest in the growing arena of eSports.
In 2011, Mortal Kombat had finally challenged its long favoured Japanese rivals for the first time. The notorious American fighter wasn't necessarily embraced with open arms by the Evo sects, but by 2012, it was impossible to deny the self-sustained strength of the title. Now a proven contender; WB could not only contribute dollars (to the prize purse), but also the resources to legitimize an unruly, youthful rabble that is the "FGC." The result is a four-part Road to Evo documentary from the 2012 tournament [above].
It's fair to say Mortal Kombat has always had its share of warring siblings and factions. In the competitive scene, it was inevitable the same diversity would play out in a narrative of wins, losses and intertwining encounters. This is the focus of the Road to Evo features, which detail the weekend of July 6-8.
The major stories of 2012 all featured a clan of New Yorkers who were laying waste to the realm of the United States. Emmanuel Brito (CD Jr), Maximo Figuereo (Maxter) & Robin Figuereo (Crazy Dominican) shared blood and talent as some of the most dominant players on the tournament scene. CD Jr alone earned more titles, wins & dollars than any other player on the US tour.
Across the Atlantic, another set of siblings were earning a reputation for their dominance over the UK leagues. Named for the Lin Kuei cyborgs; Jake Neal (Mustard) & Ryan Neal (Ketchup) would represent the international interest in the tournament. These strangers in Vegas would be forced to combat heat, travel, continental rivalry and a comrade down, as they brought the international X-factor to the world championship.
Before you dive into the dramas of the 2013 Evo World Championships, take a chance to soak in the Evo atmosphere through these features. Selecting each chapter from the menu above will load the clip on this screen. For more, relive the 2012 Mortal Kombat Evo Final in our archived feature.
Follow and discuss all the tournament action from this year's Evo World Championship, or previous tournaments, on the Gameplay & Matchmaking forum.
Where did the year go? It seems like it was only yesterday controversy erupted over a heavily abbreviated line-up for this year's seeding series! Now we're just days away from the 2013 Evo World Championship -- a tournament that will see Mortal KombatandInjustice: Gods Among Us contested at the top level!
The 2013 Championship is Mortal Kombat's third straight year at the major, while Injustice enjoys a welcomed reprieve as a late addition to the original line-up [full story]. As much as you cannot look past the hardcore competition that awaits -- news of a fifth Injustice DLC character is another exciting moment that awaits the Evo weekend!
Ed Boon confirmed the upcoming character reveal via twitter. There will also be a frequently requested alternate skin on its way: "...hopefully now they'll shut the f*** up!!" With a massive list of DC characters still untapped, widespread speculation ranges from the already hinted Martian Manhunter & Doctor Fate, to contemporary cartoon stars like Red Hood & Blue Beetle. Some of our favourites remain unused: check out our Top 10 Heroes & Villains!
The NetherRealm Creative Director will be on the floor of the Paris Las Vegas Hotel & Casino taking in the spectacle of Evo 2013. He heads to San Diego next week to appear on the Legacy II panel [full story].
5th DLC character for INJUSTICE will be announced (with game-play video) at the EVO tournament this weekend in Las Vegas! #Evo2013#GetHype
Fans of the NetherRealm fighters will have a jam packed weekend ahead as both titles stretch across three days of action - July 12-14!
Fatality Friday (as we're calling it) belongs to Mortal Kombat with the entire tournament scheduled to take place in a day-long marathon of brutal kombat! Two-time defending Champion Carl "Perfect Legend" White will be contesting a hattrick [Evo 2012 Result]! Then Injustice takes centre stage as pools run throughout Saturday, before the finals crown the first ever Gods Among Us World Champion on Saturday!
Evo registration is Thurday 2PM to 8PM PST. Forecast tournament times are as listed below [via ShoRyuKen.com]. Follow @evo2k for info and check for updated times:
Injustice: Gods Among Us Pools: Saturday 8 AM
Quarter & Semi Finals, Saturday: 4 PM
Tournament Championship: Sunday (TBD)
Mortal Kombat Online wishes everyone competing at the Evo Championships the best of luck! We hope you'll join us on the forums and share the 2013 MK & DC experience with us! Discuss the world of tournament play in the Gameplay & Matchmaking forum!
They produced some of the most memorable character artwork from the Mortal Kombat (2011) reboot [read more] -- now Atomhawk Designs are showing off their contributions to Injustice: Gods Among Us!
The UK studio continues its relationship with NetherRealm Studios, sharing the load of visual splendours expected of modern gaming. Their high quality renders contribute to the initial design process, feature as promotional character images, and even work their way into the game as detailed ending sequences!
Character sequences for Joker [pictured], Deathstroke, Solomon Grundy, Ares, and DLC addition, Batgirl, are among those featured in the updated DeviantART gallery. Detailed arena concepts include areas of the massively popular Arkham Asylum, the Fortress of Solitude, Insurgency Command, and Themyscira.
Atomhawk Lead Artist Pete Thompson is currently participating as a Guest Judge in Mortal Kombat Online's Kreate-a-Kharacter VII kontest. You can join him in judging the final two entries, as we prepare to crown a winner!
Injustice: Gods Among Us is available for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 & Nintendo Wii U. Nintendo fans can now join the downloadable revolution with DLC out now [full story]. Discuss all things Gods Among Us on the DC Universe Injustice forum!
A September online release may put it well beyond the San Diego Comic-Con schedule [full story], but Mortal Kombat: Legacy II will indeed have a presence at the International expo, when Matt Atchity (of Rotten Tomatoes) hosts a cast preview panel!
Director Kevin Tancharoen leads an announced guest list, with cast members: Casper Van Dien (Johnny Cage), Brian Tee (Liu Kang), Ian Anthony Dale (Scorpion) & Samantha Jo (Kitana). Franchise co-creator and NetherRealm Studios Creative Director Ed Boon will round out the panel as special guest. Boon noted the pending program announcement in a recent tweet.
Looks like I'm going to participate in a panel at San Diego ComicCon. LOVE ComicCon !!
The panel takes place Thursday, July 18 (6:00pm), and will include never-before-seen footage from the live-action second series. Tancharoen previewed scenes from a Scorpion/Sub-Zero fight sequence during last week's 24 Hour Machinima Prime Anniversary Stream. The stream archive was removed from public access, but you can still read Mortal Kombat Online's critical review of the preview.
[Boon] has been supportive of the live-action Legacy adaptation, commenting on the Series II trailer, "Just saw the trailer for Mortal Kombat Legacy 2. Looks fantastic!" He appeared briefly in a Johnny Cage centric episode of the first series [Episode 3].
The game maker has also teased a surprise coming the weekend before SDCC at the 2013 Evo World Championship (July 12-14). We know the mystery will pertain to Injustice: Gods Among Us, but with next generation consoles pulling focus, many eyes are now trained on the next instalment of the Mortal Kombat video game series. Rumors of a next gen sequel, or further Injustice crossover DLC [RE: Scorpion], remain persistent.
6:00pm Mortal Kombat: Legacy Season 2 Panel
Casper Van Dien (Starship Troopers), Brian Tee (The Wolverine), Ian Anthony Dale (Mortal Kombat: Legacy), Samantha Jo (Mortal Kombat: Legacy), and Ed Boon (creator of Mortal Kombat) join series creator and director Kevin Tancharoen (Mortal Kombat: Legacy), producer Lance Sloane (Mortal Kombat: Legacy/Act of Valor), and Machinima's executive vice president of network programming Aaron DeBevoise for an in-depth discussion about the highly anticipated second season of Mortal Kombat: Legacy, set to premiere exclusively on Machinima, the number one global video entertainment brand for young males. Moderated by Matt Atchity, editor-in-chief of Rotten Tomatoes.com, don't miss your chance to see exclusive, never-before-seen footage and hear from cast members about the second season of the groundbreaking show that has been called one of the most successful web series of all time.
In case you haven't heard, there's a little movie going around called Man of Steel. It's in theatres now and it features the wanton feats of Superman. He's a hero you can play in Injustice: Gods Among Us and for 99c, you can skin him in his Man of Steel duds thanks to very special downloadable content!
If trunksless bodysuits are your thing, you can also grab the freshly released New 52 skin pack $2.99 (240 MS Points)! The three-character pack includes the current Jim Lee comic book designs for DC's trinity: Superman, Batman & Wonder Woman [preview]!
General Zod is the villain of Man of Steel and also now available as a new downloadable character. He's yet to feature a film inspired design, but there are already rumors of possible additions. You can learn more about the militant Kryptonian courtesy of another recent trailer.
Not much has changed since the last Mortal Kombat flashmob! Dancing forces of the Superzeros have continued to invade Earthrealm. These attacks are seriously weakening Earth's dimensional fabric, enabling not only these clowns to enter the Earthrealm, but warriors from other domains, too!..
... Well, maybe not "warriors" plural, but there is a panicked and misshapen Spider-man, and an Asian man sitting on a park bench...
In any event; it's the one year anniversary of the first time the sleepy, deeply religious, rural village of New York City was rocked by the strange and inexplicable phenomenon of The Superzeros. An event narrowly preceding July 4th, which made it the perfect light content remedy to your post-barbecued meat high.
Like Mothman or Sasquatch, their origins remain a mystery. Some sceptics claim it's all just a hoax. Others believe it's the misidentification of owls by hysterical teenagers that has led to such wide reports. What we do know is that The Superzeros are trained professionals. They've spent years eroding their dignity and perfecting their moves. We strongly urge everyone that wherever you are, whatever you do, please. Do not try this at home!
Instead, we urge you to keep judging the actions of your peers in the Kreate-a-Kharacter VII Finals tournament. You may also like to help us take stock of the characters who inspired the flashmob in our Supreme Mortal Kombat Champion character tournament. Waste additional time by following us @MK_Online and liking us on Facebook.
They said it couldn't happen, but the prayers of PC gamers have finally been answered! Mortal Kombat: Komplete Edition is live via Steam and ready to be downloaded for $29.99US!
The return of the Mortal Kombat franchise to PC has been a long time coming! This marks the first title on the platform since Mortal Kombat 4 over a decade ago!
The game very quickly reached the top of the Steam charts -- #1 in a matter of hours. It's a promising start for a game long hampered by concerns for piracy. While no announcements have been made, it seems reasonable to assume the success of Mortal Kombat for PC will have a decisive baring on future plans for Injustice: Gods Among Us and subsequent MK titles.
By and large the product appears to be satisfactory, but we must stress that you read the Recommended System Requirements before buying! Some players have been report various issues, some purely down to not understanding the supported requirements.
Retail copies for the PC Komplete Edition are scheduled to find their way to stores August 6th. European fans can look forward to a rare head start beginning August 2nd!
Mortal Kombat Online hopes everyone will share their PC Kombat experiences on the forums! While there; keep your MK fire burning as we vote down sixty-four of the all-time kombatants in our annual Supreme Mortal Kombat Champion tournament!
To celebrate the first anniversary of Machinima Prime -- the online video supplier featured a massive 24 hour live stream featuring multiple Machinima guests, specifically director Kevin Tancharoen. The divisive director is responsible for the radically reinvented digital-first series Mortal Kombat: Legacy -- a project that brought Machinima record setting ratings and will enter a second series in Fall.
Appearing late in the video [23:40:00]; "KTanch" waxed the MK basics, grappled with the gameplay basics & offered a first run preview of things to come! The full 24 hour video can be found embedded below, but you'll want to skip ahead to get to the good bits. Update:Oops! Looks like the video's been set to private for now. Read on to find the details in our critical review.
It's fair to say you either love Kevin Tancharoen, or hate him. For some fans, his approach to Mortal Kombat is imprecise and disrespectful. To others, it's an exciting contemporary take that satisfies a segment of the imagination, even if it clearly departs from the source material. If you find yourself already leaning one way or the other, it's unlikely what you see here will change your assumptions.
The main event is an action packed preview clip from Legacy II, but those interested in really scrutinizing the man behind the Rebirth will probably find their cynicism reinforced.
Mainstream entertainment is so entrenched in the age of franchised niche adaptations, we know to expect a director paying lip service to their "fandom" of the property in their care. Tancharoen has been no exception to the rule. That said, he's also made no bones about laying his tackle on the proverbial chopping block, openly acknowledging episodes that bare little or no resemblance to the source material he supposedly loves. Personal preference will determine whether you deem this bold, or just stupid.
On the 24 hour stream, the director further submits himself to exposure, practically inviting critics to call him on the falsities of his supposed fandom. A nightmare session of Noob Saibot's MK2011 fatality training, and some dubious meanderings through the MK product history will likely raise the ire of some hardcore fans. It should be said that he's really on the spot under these conditions, but if you're approaching this all with a hint of cynicism, it's certainly understandable.
Like a vast many; Tancharoen cites Scorpion as his favourite character, and the rivalry between he and Sub-Zero as an iconic touchstone. He refers to the joy of earning the trademark ending sequences that told this tale of vengeance and mistaken identity. This all sounds good on first impressions, until we roll the never before seen preview. Then things again start to unravel.
It's fair to say the motocross armored Sub-Zero of Legacy II has already been one of the most controversial elements pre-release [read more]. A departure from the iconic design best associated with the blue warrior; it's a direction that seems to shout budget more than gritty practicality.
The spectre of Christopher Nolan's tempered reinvention of the Batman franchise has hung over Legacy often, but what really comes to mind here is not urban pseudo-realism, but rather the famously growled line of discouragement, "I'm not wearing hockey pads." So stark is the shift that it almost makes one completely forget the moustached mask that came with Scorpion's adaptation as samurai, rather than ninja. The less-than-faithful translation doesn't stop there.
When a rough cut was shown to audiences before the 1995 cinematic release; Paul W.S. Anderson learned a harsh lesson in the expectations of audiences ready to see Mortal Kombat. The test crowd made their feelings known -- Scorpion and Sub-Zero are not friends.
The '95 feature film made efforts to justify the alliance between arch-nemeses, but the fact remained that this was an unnatural betrayal of one of the best known storylines in the series. Time and plot-twists have eased the blow, but it's still surprising that Legacy II would not only tie these characters together, but do so through glimpses of a lifelong childhood friendship. The pledge seems to be here to provide further betrayal -- actually a deception hatched by Quan Chi [in Episode 7], per the twists of MK4. It's an interesting choice, to say the very least.
The quality of action was a criticism levelled at the first series. It starts slow, but this preview really makes some impressive strides toward ramped up martial arts action. There's a risk that obsessions with the trivial, surface elements of gratuitous violence could pull the rug out from under this project. In an interview with series co-creator John Tobias, he reminded, "anyone who really believes that the only reason players play MK is for the violence probably has never really played MK."
A good fight is necessary in martial arts fiction, and they definitely deliver some great moments in the preview. You'll know the sweetly satisfying knee strike when you see it. Scorpion's teleporting hellfire is a welcome addition to the choreography. Fatalities taken directly from the game(s) will be featured in Legacy II. Here's hoping they're worth it.
What we know of this second series is that it tells the story of the Shaolin Tournament (of the first game and film). Tancharoen clarifies that Legacy II will be completely linear, telling a single story across each episodes chapter with less dislocation than the anthology of the last series.
The series has its share of supporters in the right place, as well. Casper Van Dien has apparently been more than happy to embrace the less admirable traits of the arrogant action star Johnny Cage. Likewise, producer Lance Sloane has championed the over-the-top fatal violence that is a trademark of the games. He will no doubt be a driving force as the franchise attempts to spin-off into a much discussed feature film.
The return to the big screen has already been teased by the director, who notes the script calls for a brand new character of the films creation. He hopes the support will flow two ways, allowing this new character to become a downloadable playable addition to the next Mortal Kombat game. NetherRealm Studios Creative Director Ed Boon has teased a long term eye for an MK sequel with the arrival of the coming console generation [full story].
Despite his relative obscurity after 75 years of printed comics, cinema has seen fit to elevate General Zod to the status of one of Superman's greatest foes! Injustice: Gods Among Us continues that through the DLC Season Pass, introducing a new version of the Kryptonian villain to gamers!
Since being introduced in a 1961 issue of Action Comics (#283), Zod has generally gone about bringing a bad name to the survivors of doomed planet Krypton. Safely sealed away in the pocket dimension prison of The Phantom Zone -- Zod was able to traverse time and space to take up a rivalry with Krypton's last surviving son -- Kal-El (aka; Superman).
While he's hatched his fair share of schemes in various comics, the latest DLC character trailer [above] keeps the origins of General Zod vague with good reason. Nailing down a definitive - or even consistent - vision of General Zod has been more than difficult for the printed source material. Fans eager to find superior designs to the weedy scientist of Injustice have encountered plenty of alternatives, most as short-lived as a single story. The trailer cribs primarily from Geoff Johns' work with Zod from the late 2000s; begun with a co-written plot by Richard Donner in the 2007 Action Comics arc Last Son. Zod lingered through the introduction of a New Krypton in our solar system, but was wiped clean once again by DC's decision to launch a line-wide reinvention as The New 52. He returns soon in September's Action Comics #23.2.
If Richard Donner is a familiar name, it's with good reason. As director of the 1978 Superman feature film, he was responsible for introducing the best known version of General Zod, at least for several decades. The villain would return for a starring role in Superman II (1981) as portrayed by veteran actor Terence Stamp. Stamp's portrayal of an arrogant megalomaniac would leave a lasting impression -- one the comics curiously never fully adopted. The impact of Donner's Zod can be directly linked to his inclusion in the 2013 film reboot: Man of Steel.
General Zod is available now on PlayStation Network and Xbox LIVE for $4.99 (400 MS Points). July DLC releases also feature a single Superman: Man of Steel skin (inspired by the movie), and 3-character skin packs based on comics: New 52, Blackest Night 2 & Earth-2. Get the full rundown in Mortal Kombat Online's July 2nd DLC Preview.
Creative Director Ed Boon has responded coyly to questions of a Man of Steel Zod skin. Lord knows it would be welcomed, because no amount of comic or movie history gives us any idea why he's such a weedy, generic runt in Injustice. At least his gameplay oozes with character, as evidenced in the previously released preview trailer.
You can discuss all things generally Zod (or DC) in the DC Universe Injustice forum! It's there you'll find ways to win Blackest Night DLC, among other things. Kneel before giveaways!
A new month; a new wave of downloadable content (DLC) coming to Injustice: Gods Among Us! The July 2nd crop brings with it another library of alternate costume skins, as well as the fourth and final Season Pass DLC character (for now): General Zod!
Earth-2 Solomon Grundy & General Zod DLC coming July 2.
The push and pull of the current era DC Comics takes precedent over the better known classics, accounting for two of this weeks character skin packs.
- The New 52 [Batman, Superman & Wonder Woman]
In 2011, some bright spark decided life would be easier if the DC Universe were a few years old and characters were a little bit different. Thus; The New 52 -- a line-wide reboot indecisive enough to warrant any number of puerile male sex organ references. See, even a couple of years later, nobody can really tell you which stories are still canon, and which aren't. It isn't a soft reboot, it isn't a hard reboot. It is, however, a fine opportunity for Jim Lee and co to redesign the characters with "modern" new looks.
If you entered our Superman DLC Giveaway, you know all about the New 52 trunksless Superman. Enjoying similar reductions in detail are Batman & Wonder Woman -- not too different from their classic looks. Just different enough to convince the kids it's safe to live in a world that started yesterday.
- Blackest Night 2 [Batman, Aquaman & Hawkgirl]
The Dark Knight features again in the second DLC skin pack to be based on the 2009 DCU crossover event! Blackest Night was recent enough and popular enough to get a guaranteed pass in The New 52 reboot comics, so you don't need to fret about the validity of the whole concept being delivered beside New 52 (a great relief, I'm sure).
Until now; Black Lantern Batman was available exclusively as part of a Blackest Night pre-order bundle. Now he arrives in all his decaying glory, alongside two very cool Black Lanterns right out of the comics! As previously featured; Black Lantern Batman [and Superman] have twisted origins that technically should detach them from their namesakes [spoilers: he was a Bat-clone]. This zombified version of Aquaman, however, was the real deal, and played a vital role in resurrecting him after a brief stay in the afterlife! Hawkgirl springs right out of the first issue and into the game -- one of the great Black Lantern designs! Nice to see Hawkgirl get a costume, too [even if we all know this should be the far superior Hawkman].
- Earth-2 [Solomon Grundy, Flash & Hawkgirl]
Rating as one of the stranger inclusions in the DLC wardrobe -- these designs are technically spun out of the same New 52 reboot already discussed. Borrowing from the original dimensional rift of the Silver Age; Earth-2 features a radically reinvented version of the Justice Society of America. Though sharing very little in common with the beloved Golden Age heroes, it's as good as you can get in the current comics climate. Of course, with progenitor James Robinson leaving the title, it's perhaps a little more obvious where the connections steam. Tom Taylor -- of the Injustice Tie-In Comic -- will take over writing chores with issue #17 [via DC Comics].
Hawkgirl fans will rejoice at the sight of two alternate costumes in one release! Solomon Grundy is another welcome return, but it's The Flash that deserves special mention. Like Black Lantern Flash [aka; Professor Zoom] -- we have a character who is technically a new addition, at least in the source material. Earth-2's Flash is Jay Garrick -- the WWII era hero who held the speedster's mantle more than a decade before Injustice's Barry Allen!
- Man of Steel [Superman]
Exploding out of the blockbuster theatrical hit -- Superman gets a big blue makeover right out of Zack Snyder's Man of Steel. We're currently waiting to see if General Zod will get the same (much needed) polish, but for now, movie Superman is a one-time deal available for $0.99 (80 MS Points). 3-character packs are $2.99 (240 MS Points).
With DC Entertainment firmly wrapping its talons around the comics branch, it's no surprise to see common sensibilities between the New 52 and movie designs. Like The New 52 look; the most notable change is the removal of Superman's iconic red trunks -- an immodest act that continues to divide experts.
This is the second design officially inspired by a Warner Brothers cum DC Entertainment property! Green Arrow leapt out of CW's hit drama Arrow with an Injustice skin even voiced by series star Stephen Amell [full story]!
For a chance to claim Blackest Night (1 & 2) or Zombie Mode DLC -- join the horde and enter our DLC giveaway! You can discuss all the coming content and much more in the DC Universe Injustice forum!
