Months of rumors and speculation can finally end. Warner Brothers Interactive Entertainment has announced Mortal Kombat X is officially cancelled for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. In a statement today, the publisher cited quality issues as a leading cause for the end of 'last gen' development.
After months of development, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment has come to the regrettable conclusion that we cannot release Mortal Kombat X for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. Please know our teams worked diligently to meet the quality standards set by the current-gen versions of the game. We were not able to get the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions to the quality expected of a Mortal Kombat game and are very sorry for not being able to deliver the products as originally planned.
If you pre-ordered Mortal Kombat X for PS3 or Xbox 360, please go to the retail location where you pre-ordered the game and you will receive a full refund.
The announcement ends a dichotomous saga for the latest instalment of the series, which topped 2015 game sales at the mid-year mark.
The tenth Mortal Kombat had the world's attention from day one, trending globally, and producing one of the most watched trailers on YouTube in 2014. This mass anticipation fuelled a successful worldwide launch in April, but it was then the problems really began.
Third-party PC ports proved especially problematic for Mortal Kombat X, reporting a slew of crippling errors, and basic quality issues as fans flooded to the affordable and accessible alternative. Problems persisted as efforts were made to improve the experience, and new patches introduced new fatal errors [full story]. The saga eventuated in anecdotal reports of a change in developers in June - a grim omen for delayed 'last gen' ports once targeted for Summer [original story].
The push to third-party developed PC gaming was rough all around for Warner Brothers Interactive Entertainment. The publisher was left redfaced again in June, when NetherRealm sister studio Rocksteady Games were forced to announce the complete suspension of PC sales of Batman: Arkham Knight amidst further issues [read more]. [Editor's Note: Mortal Kombat X has since been stabilized, with Arkham Knight now in the process of patching.]
PlayStation 4 and Xbox One weren't exempt from frustrating Mortal Kombat X launch issues. Players complained of barred access to basic features, pre-order redemption issues, and frequent misunderstandings regarding multiple advertised purchase options. Minor controversy dogged the new release further, with NetherRealm's downloadable content scheme evolving to include: micro-transactions for basic in-game functions; a download version of an in-game NPC; and eventually the free release of pre-order paid incentives.
FINISH HIM:PS3 & 360 versions of Mortal Kombat X will never arrive.
Mortal Kombat Online has persistently heard via forums, social media, and e-mail from fans unable, or unwilling to upgrade their hardware. Today's announcement will not be the answer they hoped for, but will finally close the book on a frustrating chapter of Mortal Kombat history.
For those who can make the leap, the series pushes on, with clues toward new content expected next week, when the developer streams its newest Kombat Kast. All things present considered, that should be a very interesting experience.
Whether surprised, philosophical or dismayed, we encourage you to share your thoughts with us. Register to immortalize your reaction on the Mortal Kombat X forum. Support the fan kommunity by liking and sharing stories via @MK_Online, Facebook & YouTube.
"[It's] been a while since we've had a Kombat Kast." So it was written, so It shall be! NetherRealm Studios will gear up for a return to streams Monday, August 31st via Twitch!
We last heard from the developer for July's release of Tremor. The official reason for the next stream is to break down new Mortal Kombat X patch notes, but with speculation decisively targeted at new DLC, the always epoch-making Ed Boon has teased "news & klues" as well. With a K!
The Creative Director may have merely been talking around Alien rumors of late, but he's flat-out guaranteeing a reason to "rejoice" for Jacqui Briggs players come the next patch!
Will Kombat Pack sequel hopefuls be in luck? All signs point toward more DLC, but to date, no NetherRealm game has formally bundled DLC extensions into a second package. There's a first time for everything - and demand could just push them over the edge.Tune in to watch the stream live on Mortal Kombat Online to find out who or what is next!
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It's a pretty simple equation: There are going to be 2 guest characters in Mortal Kombat X and one of them is a Predator. The other one must be the Xenomorph of Alien franchise fame then - right?.. Wrong.
In what seems like a two-prong masterstroke of viral provocation and legendary pranking: NetherRealm stocked their Kombat Pack with two characters famously tied to absent big screen rivals -- Jason Voorhees leading the charge as the other DLC guest.
The Friday the 13th slasher was a hotly requested commodity during the previous game's download cycle, inspired partly by the presence of slasher nemesis: Freddy Kreuger. If you're a long-lived Nightmare on Elm Street fan, you probably have the dark sense of humor to appreciate the hilarity of dividing two horror icons -- and stars of Freddy versus Jason -- between separate games.
The question now - will the same fate befall sci-fi cinema's Predator and Alien?
In August, the Alien has certainly been on Creative Director Ed Boon's mind. On-going news regarding a soft reboot in a fifth Alien film inspired musings about the success of repeat visits to the franchise. On August 16th, he remarked; "All those remakes failed to rejuvenate their franchises, and while Aliens is my favorite action movie of all time... despite how the last 2 were disappointments... I wonder if they should just leave the Alien franchise alone."
It seems Uncle Ed has grown tired of reboots that don't quite hit the balance of honoring and reinvigorating their brands, "After remakes/reboots of Robocop, Total Recall and Terminator I'm finding it hard to get excited about Alien 5." A sentiment many shared after the Alien vs Predator concept made its way to film - twice - under maligned direction by Paul Anderson, and the brothers Strause. [Related Article: Paul Anderson on Mortal Kombat and Film Adaptation]
On the surface, Boon's critiques sound like arguments against including the Xenomorph as Mortal Kombat DLC, but the finer details present nuanced arguments in different directions.
Xenophobia:The Alien stalks players in Sega's Alien: Isolation.
It's worth noting the Alien experience was rejuvenated just last year -- through video games, no less -- when Sega delivered critically celebrated survival horror: Alien: Isolation.
The game put players in the unenviable role of Amanda Ripley - a character referenced in deleted scenes from [James] Cameron's Aliens, and daughter to Sigourney Weaver's iconic film heroine: Ellen Ripley.
By tapping in to the tone, presentation and lore of the first two films; Isolation found new ways to inspire fear and excitement from the menace of the alien. All of this goes to show the interactive experience of video games can add a rejuvenating twist that diminishing film sequels cannot.
Of course, the success of Isolation came very much from restoring distanced respect to Ridley Scott's original veiled, lurking threat -- a perspective the fixed screen of fighting games fundamentally denies. Putting players in control of the Xenomorph may pose serious challenges to the developer if respecting the prestige of the concept is at all the aim.
The Mortal Kombat co-creator notes his favourite instalment is Cameron's action-oriented sequel: Aliens. The leap from mauling gun-toting space marines to Mortal Kombat's Special Forces certainly isn't a stretch for the imagination. The alien doesn't necessarily scream three Variations of hand-to-hand combat, either, but viewed through the prism of Scott to Cameron, maybe Mortal Kombat X can be the action sequel to Isolation's atmospheric precursor.
Besides - who could say no to a face hugger projectile or chest burster fatality?
On the flipside: Having one icon and not the other has proven to be an undeniably successful carrot-on-a-stick for NetherRealm and Warner Bros.
Guest character speculation and wishlists have brought Mortal Kombat X major mainstream coverage, and intense fan interest on forums like Mortal Kombat Online. This could cynically be viewed as the ultimate pre-promotional tool, extending awareness and engagement with Mortal Kombat into the next game's cycle. After all, we were talking about Jason & Predator as early as E3 2014! It's a little Weyland-Yutani, but it speaks to the very nature of using crossover characters to attract attention.
- In the pipe, five by five. (43.0%)
- Gamer over, man! Game over! (56.9%)
Mixed metaphors would make these tweets face huggers - impregnating fandom with gestating alien mania waiting to explode sometime circa 2019. Are they confirmation of downloadable content on the horizon? Not really. That's not a NetherRealm character model, and these tweets aren't percentage significant proof that Alien is in development. That's not to say it isn't, either!
From the running Character Dead Pool, to our oft cited eight-month forecast for Brazil Skins & Klassic Fatalities -- Ed Boon is a font of early information, if you know where to look. There's enough proverbial 'Alien smoke' to warrant speculation. Until we get a trailer with an ominous heart beat, drifting close-ups toward kombatant's chests, and a bursting baby alien that announces DLC is coming -- we just can't guarantee it.
Is an alien egg waiting to hatch? Register to join the ravenous speculation on the Mortal Kombat X forum! Infect your friends by liking & sharing this story via @MK_Online and Facehuggerbook!
Perhaps more than any other genre of Hollywood adaptation; films based on video games have suffered from sub-standard appropriation, and awkward re-imaginings. Mortal Kombat may be considered one of the most successful to make the crossover, but as director Paul W. S. Anderson explained (in a 2004 commentary), even his 1995 hit involved an iterative process of deliberate alteration.
Anderson's words -- taken from a 2004 commentary for another of his many game-to-film projects: Resident Evil: Apocalypse -- remain prescient.
A new producer has brought the series a step closer to a theatrical return, but the future remains uncertain. Will filmmakers follow Anderson's advice, or the example of his less-than-faithful films? To date, rumors and independent adaptation have struggled to embrace the popular fiction of the video game franchise. Something Paul Anderson clearly grappled with, despite a self-professed fandom.
In an article by The Hollywood Reporter, series co-creator Ed Boon notes, "John [Tobias] and I had comments about the script because I remember at first, from our perspective, it was way too comical. Raiden was cracking jokes like a prankster, and I remember saying, "He's not a clown, he's a very serious character." We didn't write the script, but we read the script and we sent back comments."
In his commentary, Anderson credits strong test audience reaction for correcting the cardinal sin of coupling Scorpion and Sub-Zero as allies. We might infer this led to one of the films' many memorable moments, a reshoot the likely impetus for Shang Tsung declaring them, "slaves under my power!"
Reshoots clearly added a lot to the inexperienced Anderson's US directorial debut. "We added my favorite fights, which were the Scorpion fight with Johnny Cage and the Reptile fight with Liu Kang.," notes THR. Cinematic martial arts showdowns like these were vital to the film's credibility as a Mortal Kombat adaptation.
On Mortal we made, y'know, we made some deviations from the game. I mean, I think you have to - you can't just be totally slavish to the game... Because then there's no surprises in the movie, and you may as well stay at home and play the game. Ah, and also, what makes for a great video game - which, y'know, is an experience that can last a couple of days playing - doesn't necessarily make for a great ninety minutes in a theatre. So you do have to make changes, but I think it has to be, y'know, very careful changes that you made. Like, in Mortal Kombat, you know, in the original screenplay, Scorpion and Sub-Zero were friends. And, y'know, we tested that version of the movie, and boy did the audience let us know that in the game: they were enemies. And they hated them being friends in the movie. So, we went back and we reshot certain scenes and kinda put things right. And I've been very aware of that in all of the video game adaptations we've done since then. To be mindful of the world of the game, and the rules that are laid down."
- Paul Anderson. (Resident Evil: Apocalypse commentary, 2004)
We're celebrating 20 years of the Mortal Kombat movie! Register to share your own thoughts and find more stories in the Media & Merchandise forum! Follow, like & share more via @MK_Online, Facebook & YouTube.
The original mechanically enhanced metal arm of the law is ready to march on Mortal Kombat X Mobile! You can now unlock Jax in the free-to-play kard collecting game if you've got the mettle to complete the campaign before the requisite hours mean you miss his ETA!
Unlocking Jax means facing five tiers of super-soldier training: each consisting of 12 battles each, with the exception of the final 15 fight challenge! Tier 1 is all Bronze Kard war games, Tier 2 & 3 promote you to Bronze & Silver skirmishes. You'll need a Spec Ops kard in your Tier 4 team, before Tier 5 pushes Special Forces newcomer Johnny Cage to run the Heavy Weapons gauntlet.
Check in-app for the most accurate reading of challenge time remaining. Kompleted the challenge? Register to bask in the spoils of war and find more MKX Mobile tips on the Mortal Kombat X forum! At ease, soldier!
Now that you've unlocked Mileena by completing the challenge in Mortal Kombat X Mobile - it's time to find out how to get the most of your new Gold Kard character! The boffins at NetherRealm Studios have a simple breakdown to help you do exactly that:
Mileena provides a strong offensive with above average toughness, offering a variety of complexities that boost her stay in the fight! Blood will only make Mileena more fearsome, and equipping her trademark sais ensures you get the most out of the would-be Outworld Empress!
The innovation of Character Variations has given players three dimensions to consider when honing and battling warriors in Mortal Kombat X! It only makes sense then that the gameplay gimmick is perfectly suited to 3D world of limited edition variant collectibles! Big Bad Toy Store reports PREVIEWS will offer visually altered variants from Mezco Toys in December!
Mortal Kombat X Series 2 features Quan Chi, Kotal Kahn and Kitana as standard. The PREVIEWS Variants will tweak each character appropriately to reflect the Sorcerer (Quan Chi), Blood God (Kotal Kahn) and Mournful (Kitana) variations [pictured above].
Mezco Toys have upped the action figure game, utilizing digital designs from NetherRealm Studios to create some of the most game accurate likenesses the series has ever seen! Each 6 inch figure boasts more than 17 points of articulation, and comes with a variety of variant accessories like glowing skull projectile, sword, and staff.
December pre-order is available now for $19.99 each, or Series 2 Variant Pack starting at $58.99US. Series 1 came out in May, featuring Raiden, Scorpion & Sub-Zero.
Will you unlock the variant figures? Register to follow and discuss all collectibles in the Media & Merchandise forum! Spread the word by liking & sharing stories via @MK_Online and Facebook.
If you've ever wondered why Mortal Kombat was banned in Australia a couple of years ago, the following video may just explain it. RackaRacka have clearly taken their Mortal Kombat X fandom to new levels, demonstrating exactly what happens when Aussies play. Explicit Content Warning:The following clip contains scenes of extreme graphic violence, gore, and coarse language. Not suitable for viewers under the age of 15.
The apocalypse of recently revived film franchise Mad Max has never been the focal point, so you might not realize its the documentary result of an Australian barbecue that went just a little too far. They often do. Australia is an isolated, harsh and arid environment, where most things can and will kill you if you don't get them first. Including your barbecue buddies.
The well made video flexes some impressive technical muscles, but may challenge your notions of comedy. The classically rough-and-tumble Aussie humor is at risk of getting lost amid a carnival of carnage. It reflects back upon the most recent game, which took many of the series' finishing moves away from character-driven cartoon creativity, into perhaps their most disturbingly realistic incarnation. Viewer discretion will need to be exercised before watching, and maybe a shower afterwards.
The clip is the work of Danny & Michael Philippou, with music by Patrick Gill. Watch out for a cameo appearance by Scorpion, and his forgotten fatal nemesis - the avenging G-MILF!
Does "Real Life Mortal Kombat Fatalities" hit the target, or miss the point? Register to share your thoughts on the Media & Merchandise forum!
Announced as part of a new digital content division in 2014 [full story]: Mortal Kombat X will mark the third time the best selling fighting game franchise has inspired a live-action series for the web!
In contrast to their previous outings; Warner Brothers have kept a tight lid on the new series - releasing little to no official information. A series title, release date and relation to Legacy II have continued to remain undefined -- a presumed April tie-in unfulfilled as the latest game came and went.
We learned production began back in January, with a short burst of social media sharing giving us limited casting details. The return of Casper Van Dien and Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa came via their own social media networks. Series newcomer Lewis Tan offered a glimpse of his character and working title, eventually lending credence to an early rumored casting call.
Mortal Kombat Online learned just last week that the series has reached completion. With the trickle of information opening up in time for the Mortal Kombat movie's 20th anniversary, we've gathered up the most reliable information in a single convenient resource! This Kombat Kompendium will be updated as new information arises. Scroll to the bottom to find direct links to updates.
... Johnny Cage
... Shang Tsung
... Kung Jin
... Ferra
... Torr
... Cassie Cage (Age 5)
... Scorpion
... Takahashi Takeda
... Bo' Rai Cho
... D'Vorah
... Erron Black
... Ron Tan' Cho
... Tournament Ref
... Opponent #4
... Warden
... Nasty Opponent(s)
... Bouncer
... Hulking Opponent(s)
... Underground Fighter #2
... Director
... Stunt Coordinator
Koming Soon:Lewis Tan on screen as Mortal Kombat X enters the editing suite.
"Mortal Kombat X" presently has no official release schedule. Mortal Kombat Online will endeavour to keep you abreast of all the new information as it becomes available. Found something we might be interested in? Submit detailed information as a newslead! Find and discuss all the top stories on the Media & Merchandise forum!
Mortal Kombat Online has worked hard to be the best source for quality news for three series! Catch up on past works with our Legacy, Legacy II & Federation of Martial Arts kompendiums! Support the kommunity by commenting on the Media & Merchandise forum, and by liking & sharing links via @MK_Online & Facebook!
New character Kung Jin will make the leap from video game to live-action series when actor/model Lewis Tan debuts in Mortal Kombat X. The actor confirmed his role via Instagram, sharing a new photo in costume as the thief turned Shaolin Monk. It confirms popular speculation about his role sparked by previous photos.
Mortal Kombat Onlinerecently confirmed the completion of what will be the third webseries, once released. Tan calls the project "Mortal Kombat X". An official release date is still unknown.
A reported casting call revealed unconfirmed details of the role, describing the character in terms relevant to the games incarnation. Kung Jin is a cousin of legendary fallen hero Kung Lao, who turns to a life of thievery, before a pivotal encounter with Raiden restores him to the hero's path.
A filming call sheet from the series confirms the presence of other new characters from Mortal Kombat X [full story], appearing opposite returning star Casper Van Dien as Johnny Cage. Van Dien -- who joined the web cast in Mortal Kombat: Legacy II -- recently shared photos with original big screen Johnny Cage Linden Ashby [full story].
August coincides with the twentieth anniversary of Mortal Kombat's first foray into live-action adaptation. Mortal Kombat: The Movie debuted in theatres in 1995. Directed by British up-and-comer Paul W. Anderson, the film went on to achieve massive success, and remains an exception to gaming's difficulties in Hollywood. The timing may not be a coincidence.
Looking forward to live-action MKX? Register to follow and discuss the webseries on the Media & Merchandise forum! Special thanks to kommunity user Siang for sharing the photo! Support the site by liking & sharing stories via @MK_Online, Facebook & YouTube!
1,250 backers have emerged to help far and away exceed the documentary project's original target of $75,000 - achieving $79.5k at the time of this writing! The pledge ensures the retrospective film will go ahead, with a tentative targeted Blu-Ray release for 2017.
The achievement was clearly humbling for former Midway Games developer and documentarian Joshua Tsui. Writing to the project's Kickstarter page, he expressed gratitude and excitement in a statement:
Not sure what to say here, actually. This project has been in my head for a couple of years now and I was never sure if it was something that would be interesting to any “civilians”. "Civilians" meaning anyone who does not work in the industry.
That’s been one of the really pleasant surprises of this experience, finding out that this era touched so many people’s lives. Many people have reached out and expressed how this era of gaming was their childhood. To have worked on games that touched so many people is such an honor. What’s going to be an even bigger honor is making this documentary and adding to those memories. Seriously, I’m truly blown away and humbled by the support from fans.
There are a lot of people to thank so I’m going to hold off on that for a bit, but definitely will get to it. I will say that it was amazing how so many people went out of their way to help out with the campaign. From constantly tweeting about it to helping me edit the video, these people made a massive difference. Will drop names soon.
So now that we’ve crossed the finishing line, I now need to seriously think about stretch goals. We have 24 hours so I want to do something special. But I seriously need coffee to wake up so stay tuned for another update!
Legends of heavy metal Iron Maiden have paid homage to video game culture in the promotional clip for their newest single: Speed of Light. Band mascot Eddie the Head battles through a variety of arcade environments, including a fighting game tribute to classic Mortal Kombat! Watch it below:
The British band and their mascot Eddie are no strangers to video games. Ed kick flipped his way to high scores as an unlockable character in Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4, and starred in first-person rail shooter Ed Hunter - a game packaged with the 1999 greatest hits album of the same name.
In Speed of Light; Eddie heart rips his way from basic pixelated platforming, to gun toting, and a one-on-one kombat style face-off with The Beast -- red devil made famous by Derek Riggs' artwork for the band's landmark 1982 album: The Number of the Beast. Not content with simply fighting side-to-side in the style of Mortal Kombat II - Eddie unleashes a cinematic aerial attack reminiscent of NetherRealm Studios' more recent efforts, such as super-moves found in: Injustice: Gods Among Us. The sequence ends fittingly, from "FINISH HIM!" to decapitation fatality. A reminder that Ed The Head always pulls the strings as the true puppet master.
Eddie has been a fixture for the group's mythic painted album covers and stage performances since 1980. Created by artist Derek Riggs; he remains one of music's icons of heavy metal. The only question now - is there room for the zombie-faced mascot as a future guest of Mortal Kombat X or its sequels?
"Speed of Light" is the first single from the album The Book of Souls, available September 4th. Register to worship at the altar of arcade klassics and discuss the clip on the forums! Find more moving MK images in the Media & Merchandise. Be quick or be dead when you run to the hills to share this story via @MK_Online & Facebook!
The battle on the beach gets bloody as the Kotal Kahn/Special Forces alliance clashes with Reiko and his blood magik fuelled minions! Comic Book Resources have a preview of the skirmish on Shang Tsung's Island, in print and out now as Mortal Kombat X #9!
The print issue comprises digital chapters 25-27. Written by series scribe Shawn Kittelsen, with art by Dexter Soy, the issue went on sale Wednesday, August 12th. Check retailers for availability. Be sure to pre-order the next issues as the action comes to a head!
The action is heading to a long awaited face-to-face confrontation between Outworld Imperial rivals Kotal Kahn and Shao Kahn's genetically engineered daughter Mileena! You won't want to miss it!
For a short time she conquered Outworld, but can you use her to crush your enemies? Mileena is the latest subject in the Kombat Klass. Learn how to get the most out of the Tarkatan/Edenian hybrid's basic attacks with this helpful Mortal Kombat X tutorial. It's sure to help you take a bite out of the opposition:
Tremor's variations are Piercing, Ethereal & Ravenous. Each mode gives you different advantages to enhance your standard arsenal of special moves and basic attacks. Knowing characters can help you master their winning moves, or counter attack in the heat of battle. Broaden your mastery with previous Kombat Klass subjects: Scorpion, Sub-Zero, Cassie Cage, Jason Voorhees, Erron Black, Kitana, Kenshi, Tanya, Ermac, Kung Lao, D'Vorah, Predator & Tremor.
Show your support for the Kombat Klass's ESL by purchasing Blue Steel Sub-Zero. Register to issue online challenges, share tutorials and strategies, or demonstrate your own high level videos on the Gameplay & Matchmaking forum!
In Mortal Kombat X, the "Stunt Double" variation lets Johnny Cage summon a shadow clone for twice the impact. That must be why we're seeing double! There were no special effects required when Casper Van Dien met Linden Ashby - seen together hitting the gym in new photos!
The star of films like Starship Troopers and Sleepy Hollow is set to reprise the role of Cage in a third live-action webseries. He's one of the few actors confirmed and seen filming during January production. Cage returns as a veteran of kombat in the now completed series, yet to receive an official release date [full story].
For long time fans Linden Ashby is an actor who needs no introduction! As one of the stars of the Paul W. Anderson directed Mortal Kombat feature film; Ashby defined the character for many early fans! His portrayal of a smug Hollywood action hero fighting for legitimacy in a world of magic and death mirrored and enhanced the work of creative lead John Tobias.
Delivering many memorable lines ("Those were $500 sunglasses, asshole!"); Ashby's portrayal was so beloved - it was even paid homage in Mortal Kombat X in character intros, and early story mode sequences involving Scorpion!
The original Mortal Kombat movie celebrates its 20th anniversary this month. News of Furious 7 Director James Wan joining a new film as Producer has sparked fresh enthusiasm for a feature film reboot [full story].
Could Ashby be destined for a cameo in the film or webseries? Register to follow and discuss all the movie developments on the Media & Merchandise forum. Spread the word and support the community by liking & sharing links via @MK_Online and Facebook!
Access the list of accounts in the Accounts Service
Open network sockets
Access information about networks
PowerManager WakeLocks to keep processor from sleeping or screen from dimming
Access information about Wi-Fi networks
Allows sending in-app billing requests and managing in-app billing transactions
Read from external storage
Read only access to device state
Write to external storage
Allows verification of Google app Entitlements
Minimum Operating System: Android 4.0
Approximate Download Time: More than 5 minutes
Collect kards to battle it out in 3 on 3 kombat with your favourite Mortal Kombat X fighters! Perform fatalities, level up warriors, unlock bonuses and take the challenge of icons like Raiden & Mileena!
Register to discuss all things MKX Mobile on the Mortal Kombat X forum. Support the kommunity by commenting, liking and sharing stories via @MK_Online & Facebook.
As recently announced: Jasco Games have acquired the license to bring Mortal Kombat back to trading card deck building. They'll also be including kombatants in an expansion into tabletop miniatures - demonstrated with CG pre-vis models that were also revealed in full figurine prototypes at GenCon 2015:
Not Final Product: Jasco figurines at GenCon 2015. [Source: (@Enigma_Teemu]
Scorpion and Goro were on display opposite Street Fighter franchise rivals: Bison, Ryu, Chun-Li and Juri [pictured above].
Designs for the figurines come from the most recent incarnations found in Mortal Kombat X! The final Street Fighter line-up also includes: Guile, Ken & Akuma. No word yet on further characters to be included in the Mortal Kombat board game.
Which kombatants do you hope to see join the game? Register to follow and discuss Jasco Games' products on the Media & Merchandise forum! Mortal Kombat Online hopes to have more from Jasco in the future!
The project was recently featured on Mortal Kombat Online, and in the short time since, has added even more incredible incentives to reward backers who help the time warped tale become a reality!
New Insert Coin Kickstarter Rewards:
ON FIRE ($50 or more): Blu-Ray copies of the final documentary were an early guarantee, but fans can now look forward to even greater collectible and sentimental value with autographed copies! Midway luminaries John Tobias, Kerri Hoskins & Eugen Jarvis will sign -- a bonus fans who've already donated at this level can look forward to!
HIGH RESOLUTION ($150 or more): Donating at this level will now get you a limited edition print by Mortal Kombat co-creator John Tobias! The designer of some of the series' most iconic characters will create an original piece of artwork to be signed and numbered!
SOUND AND VISION ($200 or more): Limited to just 50 backers, this level will add a very special mp3 recording by Mortal Kombat voice artist Herman Sanchez! The now klassic Kombat announcer will record personalized messages by request!
LEGENDARY EVENING ($7500 or more): This high-level contribution will garner a high-level reward: An evening of dinner, drinks and gaming with some of Midway's best and brightest! developer Eugene Jarvis, Kerri Hoskins (Sonya Blade), Daniel Pesina (Johnny Cage) & Joshua Tsui will attend, with special guests to be advised. Footage of the evening will be recorded for inclusion with your signed Blu-Ray copy of the documentary, as well!
GALLOPING GHOST PRO-GAMER ($8500 or more): Fans kicking it up a notch to back the story of the revolution will receive a Revoluton X arcade cabinet thanks to Galloping Ghost Aracde! The machine celebrates the 5th anniversary of the Chicago game hub, and will also be signed by co-creator George Petro and Mistress Helga herself Kerri Hoskins!
The story of Midway Games' domination of early nineties arcades to the ambitions of the dawning millennium will be told by the people who were there - but it needs your help! Whether you reap the rewards of bankrolling at the top dollar, or simply kick in a few bucks to show your support, we're sure every fan will want to see Insert Coin become a reality!
For 48 hours: Chicago firm Bright Bright Great will be matching donations up to $7,500 - so backing Insert Coin via Kickstarter has never been more valuable!
Read Mortal Kombat Online's interview with documentary head and former developer Josh Tsui to learn even more [full story]. Register to discuss and support the project further on the forums! Follow Insert Coin @insertcoindoc for more. Help get the word out by liking and sharing links via @MK_Online, Facebook & YouTube!
Despite beginning production and principal photography back in January -- a third Mortal Kombat live-action webseries is proving remarkably elusive!
Officially announced last October; the series was promoted as a tie-in for the April release of Mortal Kombat X [full story]. With early reports confirming appearances by new characters from the video game - expectations placed the series launch sometime within the Second Quarter. Instead, the console release has come and gone - with little to no information about the project since the shooting months.
There remains no official release date, but Mortal Kombat Online can confirm the webseries has been completed.
A source close to the project recently told MK Online: "I wish I could tell you a release date, but I can tell you it's finally finished".
Speculation may infer (from wording) that delays slowed completion of the untitled series, rumoured to be called Mortal Kombat: Generations. The first series of Mortal Kombat: Legacy notably delayed its final episode for two months in 2011, delivering a visual effects heavy finale during San Diego Comic Con [watch]. It remains unclear if the new series will have ties with the previous series.
Could recent reporting of James Wan as Producer for a Mortal Kombat movie have a part in webseries delays? Register to join the speculation and discuss all film projects in the Media & Merchandise forum. Support the kommunity by liking & sharing stories via @MK_Online and Facebook.
The high-end merchandise game continues to court Mortal Kombat with Hong Kong toy maker Storm Collectibles entering the game in the Asia region! Goro, Scorpion & Sub-Zero lead the charge of their first wave of high quality figurines.
As reported by Toyark, Storm Collectibles unveiled their classic Mortal Kombat inspired 1/12th scale figurines at July's Seoul Kid and Adult Fair 2015, in Korea. The results are impressive -- described by the makers as "only 50% done"!
Even at this early stage, the edict of the company to create quality, accurate likenesses is clear. Images above [click thumbnails to enlarge] were shared on Facebook, showing off three of the series' enduring icons. Posed with arms outstretch, Goro looks reminiscent of the original stop-motion model used to create the first game sprites.
Storm Collectibles also promote figures based on uncanny likeness of Bruce Lee, Mike Tyson, Hulk Hogan and Dennis Rodman. Further details are unknown. Mortal Kombat Online advises thorough investigation before committing to any international purchases.
These aren't the first Mortal Kombat figures to come out of Hong Kong. With greater focus on play-ready articulation, World Box Toys previously created Mortal Kombat (2011) inspired toys based on Sub-Zero and Kung Lao at 1:6 scale.
Following the announcement of Jasco Games' acquisition of the Mortal Kombat license [full story]; the Ultimate Fighting System Facebook has previewed designs for upcoming mini figurines for their tabletop fighting game:
The CG models demonstrate intended finished product, part of a Jasco tabletop board game inspired by fighting games. During July's San Diego Comic Con, Jasco announced an agreement with Capcom to include Street Fighter in the game -- opening up the possibility of fantasy crossover battles between two traditional arcade rivals!
Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat will also face-off in the Ultimate Fighting Game System card game, with new Street Fighter characters joining debuting Mortal Kombat decks in 2015 [full story].
Excited for Mortal Kombat's collectible gaming expansions? Register to follow and discuss all the action in the Media & Merchandise forum! Support the community by discussing and liking & sharing MK Online stories via @MK_Online & Facebook.
Mortal Kombat is set to make a return to the arena of collectible card game battles in the Universal Fighting System!
Jasco Games made the announcement at July's GenCon, answering fan interest with the acquisition of the biggest fighting game series yet to enter their decks!
Fans eager to test their favourite kombatants against the warriors of Street Fighter, Tekken, Soul Calibur, King of Fighters, Darkstalkers and many more, will finally have the opportunity! It's a crossover escalation of card collecting concept that helped make Mortal Kombat X Mobile a must-have app for fans!
LAS VEGAS, NV – At GenCon today, Jasco Games announced that they have acquired the license to Mortal Kombat, a property of Warner Bros. Interactive. Iconic Mortal Kombat characters, including the likes of Sub Zero, Scorpion, and Raiden, will be joining Jasco Games’ popular card game, the Universal Fighting System.
“We are thrilled to announce another universe joining the excellent Universal Fighting System,” Jasco Games president and founder Jason Hawronsky said. “Coming off the heels of our Street Fighter announcement at San Diego Comic Con, the Mortal Kombat announcement is something many of our fans have been hoping for, and we can’t wait to deliver what they want!”
Jasco Games plans to add the Mortal Kombat characters to the Universal Fighting System in an upcoming deck. Those interested in learning more about the Universal Fighting System or staying up to date with the latest news should visit JascoGames.com, like UFS on Facebook, and follow the Jasco Games Twitter account.
About the Universal Fighting System
Designed to pit the greatest fighters against one another, the Universal Fighting System collectible card game features iconic characters from Street Fighter, Darkstalkers, Mega Man, and more. Players build decks around their favorite characters and compete in exciting one-on-one battles to see who the mightiest champion is. Over the years, the Universal Fighting System has become a popular card game around the world, reaching thousands of players. To learn more about UFS, visit www.facebook.com/playufs or http://playufs.com/
About Jasco Games
Based in Las Vegas, Nevada, Jasco Games is a premier designer and publisher of table top games, competitive card games, board games, and more. The current publisher of the Universal Fighting System and creator of the upcoming Mega Man Board Game, Jasco Games was started in 1998 and has since developed a reputation as offering quality products and the best gaming experiences, as well as interacting with fans and listening to their feedback. Jasco Games works with individuals across the country, utilizing their exceptional talents in art design, management, and sales.
Jasco Games has partnered and worked with major companies such as Capcom, SnK Playmore, Fantasy Flight Games, Level 99 Games, Ninja Division, and more. If you are interested in working with Jasco Games, contact Jason@jascogames.com
For more information, please visit Jasco Games online at www.jascogames.com, follow them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/jascogames or on Twitter at www.twitter.com/JascoGames
Mortal Kombat previously ventured into the world of combat card games in 2005, as part of the Epic Battles Trading Card Game. The series also featured rival fighting series: Street Fighter and Tekken.
Who will be the star of your deck? Register to share and discuss your most anticipated fantasy fights on the Fan Koliseum forum! Find more products based on the MK license in the Media & Merchandise forum. Support the kommunity by posting on the forum and liking & sharing stories via @MK_Online and Facebook!
The earth shakes when Tremor enters the arena! Stop dreaming and start learning to master the elements in Kombat Klass:
Tremor's variations are Aftershock, Metallic & Crystalline. Each mode gives you different advantages to enhance your standard arsenal of special moves and basic attacks. Knowing characters can help you master their winning moves, or counter attack in the heat of battle. Broaden your mastery with previous Kombat Klass subjects: Scorpion, Sub-Zero, Cassie Cage, Jason Voorhees, Erron Black, Kitana, Kenshi, Tanya, Ermac, Kung Lao, D'Vorah & Predator.
Show your support for the Kombat Klass's ESL by purchasing Blue Steel Sub-Zero. Register to issue online challenges, share tutorials and strategies, or demonstrate high level videos on the Gameplay & Matchmaking forum!
Only the strong will survive when the Predator enters the arena! Learn to stalk your prey in Mortal Kombat X by submitting yourself to the ritual of Kombat Klass:
Predator's variations are Warrior, Hunter & Hish-Qu-Ten. Each mode gives you different advantages to enhance your standard arsenal of special moves and basic attacks. Knowing characters can help you master their winning moves, or counter attack in the heat of battle. Broaden your mastery with previous Kombat Klass subjects: Scorpion, Sub-Zero, Cassie Cage, Jason Voorhees, Erron Black, Kitana, Kenshi, Tanya, Ermac, Kung Lao & D'Vorah.
Show your support for the Kombat Klass's ESL by purchasing Blue Steel Sub-Zero. Register to issue online challenges, share tutorials and strategies, or demonstrate high level videos on the Gameplay & Matchmaking forum!
What motives could drive a Kytinn to play nice with others? D'Vorah is a brood mother unlike any other! Learn the secrets of the swarm queen in the school of learning that is the Kombat Klass:
D'Vorah's variations are Brood Mother, Swarm Queen & Venomous. Each mode gives you different advantages to enhance your standard arsenal of special moves and basic attacks. Knowing characters can help you master their winning moves, or counter attack in the heat of battle. Broaden your mastery with previous Kombat Klass subjects: Scorpion, Sub-Zero, Cassie Cage, Jason Voorhees, Erron Black, Kitana, Kenshi, Tanya, Ermac & Kung Lao.
Show your support for the Kombat Klass's ESL by purchasing Blue Steel Sub-Zero. Register to issue online challenges, share tutorials and strategies, or demonstrate high level videos on the Gameplay & Matchmaking forum!
Compiling video game sales from the first half of 2015, Fortune has reported Mortal Kombat X is the top selling title for the year so far!
2015 Mid-Year Top 10
#1 Mortal Kombat X #2 Grand Theft Auto V #3 Battlefield Hardline #4 Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare #5 Minecraft #6 Batman: Arkham Knight #7 Dying Light #8 NBA 2K15 #9 The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt #10 Super Smash Bros.
The 2015 fighting game sequel beat out stiff competition, with Take-Two Interactive's always strong Grand Theft Auto sequel coming second.
Established franchises dominated the list of usual suspects overall -- Minecraft joining GTA as evergreen titles that were present in the list, this time last year!
Fortune calls Mortal Kombat X the "biggest surprise" of the 2015 mid-year list, citing increasingly visceral finishing moves as a presumed driving force for sales. The surprise can probably be attributed to Fortune's dated understanding of the series' appeal, and failure to adequately recognize the dedicated fan base that pushed Mortal Kombat (2011) to 3 million sales [read more]. MKX enjoyed consistent interest in pre-release, trending globally with the release of the first announce trailer last June [full story].
"... while there is still a strong fan base for the game, it wasn’t expected to be the best-selling title in the first half of the year. But by upping the gore in the game’s fatalities, Mortal Kombat X had the best launch in the history of the franchise—and that created buzz that kept sales strong."
Fortune also underestimated the highly anticipated conclusion to the Batman: Arkham series -- which hit the list with Arkham Knight just a week from its official release.
MK and Batman are a testament to the reinvention of Warner Brothers Interactive Entertainment as a gaming power of this decade bolstered by well curated franchises, Both sequels came with troubled releases, however, challenging future instalments with the lingering concern of bug riddled PC releases, and missing ports for last generation consoles.
Mortal Kombat X Creative Director Ed Boon noted today there will be an update concerning the indefinitely delayed PlayStation 3 & Xbox 360 release soon.
Sales data comes from The NPD Group, based on sales from January through the end of June. Agreements prevent the release of specific NPD numbers. Figures do not include definitive hard data for digital sales on direct platforms, eg; PlayStation Network & Xbox Live.
Will MKX be on top at the end of 2015? Register to share your thoughts on this and more on the Mortal Kombat X forum. Support the community by liking and sharing stories via @MK_Online, Facebook and your own social networks.
The path back to cinemas has been long and hard for the once lucrative Mortal Kombat. A theatrical return has long been discussed, but struggles to exit development hell have waned amidst experimental webseries, and changes in culture.
The movie may have received its best backing to date, with The Tracking Board reporting Saw and Insidious director James Wan will join the film as Producer.
Wan is in hot demand of late, working his way from low budget horror to the pinnacle of Hollywood action blockbusters with this year's Furious 7. He's already attached to direct Warner Brother's 2018 superhero franchise builder: Aquaman, with Jason Momoa in the title role. Past Producer credits include the first five Saw sequels.
The Tracking Board cites Oren Uziel (MK: Legacy) and Dave Callaham (Doom) as script writers. The plot remains tangentially related to the fiction of the hugely successful video game series, centering around a "seemingly harmless guy" who discovers his hidden powers, and uses them to enter the tournament. The film has reportedly been described by the studio as "a departure from the mythology" featuring "darker, brutally real martial arts."
Mortal Kombat is underway with New Line Cinema and Broken Road Productions (Paul Blart: Mall Cop, Knight and Day). This month marks the 20th anniversary of the first New Line distributed Mortal Kombat movie.
If you don't know the name - you know the face. Former Midway Games developer Josh Tsui gave the second Sub-Zero identity in one of the series' earliest bombshell twists - his Mortal Kombat II arcade ending. Tsui later provided the basis for Mortal Kombat 4 Liu Kang, and has worked on the development of games including Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero and the ill fated 2000 third-person shooter: Mortal Kombat: Special Forces.
There was more than one version of the troubled Special Forces spin-off a limited few fans played at the turn of the millennium -- just one of the memories Tsui discussed with Mortal Kombat Online during a recent interview.
The retrospective is inspired by Insert Coin - a documentary project dedicated to the bustling arcade boom of Midway in the early nineties. Recently featured on MK Online, Tsui is seeking Kickstarter crowd funding for the project, which promises to unearth untold tales of Midway Games from the mouths of those who made them. Learn more about Insert Coin and consider joining Mortal Kombat Online in helping make it become a reality.
Josh Tsui appeared in Mortal Kombat II as the unmasked second Sub-Zero.
For those who might not know: Who are you, and what was your history with Mortal Kombat? My name is Josh Tsui. I've been working in game development for over 20 years now. I've worked on everything from the Mortal Kombat series, to Fight Night, to Tony Hawk. I started my career at Midway Games back in the early [nineties] during the last arcade boom. I worked on Mortal Kombat 4 and MK Mythologies: Sub Zero, as well as the original MK: Special Forces, which was never released. I was also the face of Sub-Zero at the end of MK2, and the face of Liu Kang in MK4.
How did the Insert Coin documentary project come about? The concept came about a couple of years ago after I had done an interview with Polygon. I got to thinking about how game development used to be for arcades, and realized that nobody has ever put something together about that era. My hope is that I can weave together all the various stories of the games, and give people an overview of one of the most incredible eras and companies in video games.
What do you think made Midway such a livewire for gaming in the 90s? It was the people. That's it. From management on down, the people just "got it". We had an attitude that very few had back then. We were left alone to make the games. Management and marketing figured out how to sell it, but nobody told us how to make them. Teams were small and everyone did everything.
What influence did Chicago have on Midway and its products? Ha! We used to joke that the reason our games were so crazy and over the top was because the weather would piss us off all the time. Besides that, there was a real Chicago attitude in these games. We got shit done and we didn't care who got in our way. There was no place for crying. Everyone toughened up and just put sweat and blood into the games. The work ethic was over the top. I've never put so many hours in my life and I loved every minute of it. It was truly the Chicago way back then.
Some might say Midway's cavalier style led to its demise. Do you think that's fair? Perhaps. A lot of the people I interviewed did bring up that once Midway transitioned to consoles at the end of the '90s, it took a long time to fully understand how different console games were. It's laughable now to think that, but back then it was unknown territory. The management style needed to change. I wasn't there during the 2000s, so I can't say.
Do you have a narrative in mind for Insert Coin, or are you still finding the story? A bit of both. With documentaries, one goes in with an idea of the overall story arc, but it's also journalism, and one needs to go in and be fluid, and let the story happen. Even with what I have so far I've been really surprised by some of the stories that have come up. I'm really looking forward to finding out even more things that I was just vaguely aware of.
What are the key games you'll be featuring? Obviously MK was huge, but I'm really keen to look at all of Midway during that era. One highly underrated game was at the end of the 80s that truly affected almost all the games in the 90s: NARC.
Here's an example of how the documentary is shaping up: NARC influenced Terminator 2, influencing NBA Jam, then MK, and so on. It's like the Marvel Universe -- every game affected the next one.
The stories from Wrestlemania (my first game there) and Revolution X are insane. I'm actually really looking forward to getting into the games that never got released. That is going to be fun!
is there a favourite story you hope to revisit? There are so many. I think the WWF stuff for Wrestlemania is going to be insane. Another one would be when Steven Spielberg's company tried to poach away a massive amount of the leads.
How much will you be delving into Mortal Kombat's history? Quite a bit about MK has been talked about already. My goal is to find the stories about production, and the little things that the team did to make the games so much better than others of its kind back then. There was a lawsuit that happened with the actors that I'd like to pursue also. We'll see. I just don't want to rehash stuff that's already been told.
Are there any lost MK treasures you think fans will be excited to see? Oh hell yeah, but [I] can't really reveal too much right now. A hint of it is on the Kickstarter page and more will be revealed. There are so many stories about MK and Midway that are just so good. Here's one - the MK team and War Gods... Man, that was awkward.
Unseen MK Special Forces footage is teased on the Kickstarter. Can you tell us a little bit about the difficulties that hounded that game to completion? The version of the game that got released is not anything that I had worked on. People would be pretty surprised just how different it was. The original that I worked on was huge and crazy ambitious. We left Midway about a year into that project and for them to just scrap it was nuts to me, but at the same time, maybe it was just easier to make a new game. Who knows?
Do you think Special Forces could have been a bigger success? Uh, not the released version!
Warner Bros pulled the plug on a digitized MK HD remake. Do you think there's a future for digitized sprites? Yes, there is. I love digitized sprites. I have no idea what happened to that project outside of some rumors I heard. I would say that the process to make digitized sprites is more challenging than most people realize. I had learned a lot from [John] Tobias back in the day, and from working on Wrestlemania. On how to position the camera, and what field of view to use. These are things I still use in game development.
You've already been filming for the documentary. Who are some of the names involved? So far it's Eugene Jarvis (who really is the backbone of the story here), Mark Turmell, John Tobias, George Petro, Kerri Hoskins, John Turk, Sal Divita and a few more. I'm actually interviewing a lot more people once production hits. The outpouring of support has been insane. A lot of people are contacting me to participate.
Has anything taken you by surprise? Not sure if this is a surprise, but it was really interesting to learn how Jarvis came back to restart the video department, and how it was considered an afterthought. Back then pinball was paying the bills, so nobody really cared about the video games. Which might have worked to their advantage.
Insert Coin is on Kickstarter. Is there anything you'd like to say to the adoring public in closing? Yes! This is truly a passion project. At first this was going to be something I was going to just play around with, but the more I started working on it, the more I realized that there is something great here. This is truly something that the fans are going to love and really add another layer to something they loved when they were younger. I hope others want this to happen as badly as I do, which is why it's on Kickstarter. Thanks so much for this opportunity to chat about it.
Kontinue?: Insert coin via Kickstarter to help Insert Coin come to life.
With less than two weeks to go to meet a lofty Kickstarter target -- fans will need to act soon if they want to reap the rewards. Josh Tsui recently informed Mortal Kombat Online of several new benefits for funding, including an original art print by series co-creator John Tobias, a voice message from MK voice artist Herman Sanchez, and signed Blu-Ray copies of the finished film! Mortal Kombat Online has contributed to the fund. We hope you will too!
The once and future Outworld Empress has finally arrived in the latest Mortal Kombat X Challenge! You can unlock Mileena in the free-to-play kard collecting mobile game by completing requisite challenges within the remaining set time!
Unlocking Mileena means facing five tiers of toothy terror: each consists of 12 battles each, with the exception of the final 15 fight challenge! Tier 1 is all Bronze Kards, Tier 2 & 3 upping the stakes to Bronze & Silver. You'll need a Martial Artist kard in your Tier 4 team, before Tier 5 forces Kotal Kahn to confront his genetically engineered Kahnum rival!
Previous MKX Mobile unlocks include the Raiden Challenge and the recently concluded Liu Kang Challenge. Check in-app for the most accurate reading of time remaining.
Did you complete the masticating menace of Mileena? Register to bask in your bragging rights on the Mortal Kombat X forum!
