Like sand through the hour glass, so are the thirty years of Mortal Kombat! To celebrate the milestone year: NetherRealm Studios has shown gratitude to the fans, players, and developers with a special "Thank You" video featuring dozens of staff -- and what might be the first tease for what's coming next. Watch:

It has been a symbol and beacon of battle since the beginning, rendered in stone and steel, enduring fire and rifts in time itself. The Dragon Logo has been silent witness to it all, and with its thirtieth anniversary upon us, John Tobias has detailed the origins of the famous design that means Mortal Kombat to all who see it! Read on:

Sonya Blade has been kicking ass since day one of the first MK, and thirty years after her debut; Iron Studios is paying homage with a statue inspired by the lieutenant's klassic likeness in Mortal Kombat 3. Take a closer look:

Mortal Kombat and its arcade sequels remain some of the most famous examples of live-action digitized graphics, and a new documentary featurette details the process that brought a touch of Hollywood cinema to video game development. Watch:

1995 was a massive time for the Mortal Kombat franchise. Dubbed the "year we make contact', '95 saw the much anticipated release of Mortal Kombat 3 as well as the Mortal Kombat movie! Both items were of feature at the Williams ACME event, which has recently resurfaced online thanks to an archival video by John Vogel! Check it out:

There exists in New York City a World Video Games Hall of Fame and the arcade klassic Mortal Kombat has had the honor of being inducted into its hallowed halls! The original MK joined an eclectic class of 2019 inductees, nominated by the public, and selected by a panel of industry experts, journalists, and historians. Read on:

Thanks to the efforts of Doc Mack and all the folks at Galloping Ghost Arcade, the very first Kombat-Kon has come and gone! The two-day event was a huge success and will hopefully spawn future gatherings for mortals across Earthrealm, and other domains as well!

Chances are you know John Vogel best as one of the stalwarts of the Mortal Kombat design team. As a developer, he's helped steer the course of Kombat through multiple generations, including his well remembered role as writer for 2002's Deadly Alliance and sequel Deception.

As of April; your pal and mine has turned his impeccable skills as writer and artist to the world of webcomics with Skitter!

If you're expecting demonic warlords and deadly fists of kung-fu -- stow those expectations in the nearest pigeon hole! Skitter is "what bugs do when humans are near" and tells the madcap tales of spider Jack and his insect pals. Expect punch lines, not punches.

When Warner Bros. revealed their Mortal Kombat: Kollector's Edition back in 2011 - it was a revelation. Stuffed with extras; the various packaged specials helped make Mortal Kombat the highest selling installment in franchise history!

Fans clearly remember it fondly.

With the announcement of Mortal Kombat X: Kollector's Edition - one key omission from the extras line-up has sparked a groundswell for change from within the fan kommunity - and beyond it.

Mortal Kombat Online has learned from reliable sources that various project artists were disappointed their work would not be immortalized in print for the current project. This echoes a chorus of cries from vocal fans - eager to hold a physical record beyond in-game and online images.

When asked by a fan about prospects of a book, long time Moral Kombat Designer John Vogel noted: "... it would be a shame if there wasn't one".

The Art of Mortal Kombat collector's book set a simple but effective benchmark, taking players deep inside the creative process by showcasing the work of various NetherRealm Studios conceptual artists.

Across the many fighting games - Mortal Kombat has demanded some of the most aggressive design revamps of any series. Despite the iconic status of many of its characters, few remain visually similar, undergoing sometimes radical aesthetic changes from game to game. This adds even greater value to the visual record published in art book form, capturing a snapshot in the evolution of the various fighters. It's a quality many fans of the series respond to - and something Mortal Kombat Online can also get behind.

If it isn't already: Chicago's Galloping Ghost Arcade is on the fast track to becoming a mecca to Mortal Kombat fans!

Its proximity to the traditional base of operations for today's NetherRealm Studios makes it a natural home away from home for the klassic fighting series. GGA boasts a comprehensive working collection of now klassic Mortal Kombat arcade cabinets. Go there on the right day, and you might even come across some of the klassic faces who made them happen!

Last weekend (June 28), the arcade hosted Shang Tsung's Fight Night IV -- a live event that brought together a rogues gallery reunion of actors who appeared in the original digitized games!

The event was open to the public for a marathon 11AM to 2AM session at only the standard admission charge! It was a historic gathering for the cast -- some of whom didn't even appear together in the same game(s)! Continuity wouldn't get in the way of fans taking the opportunity to get autographs, photographs and a rare opportunity to mingle with the fighting game icons!