Mortal Kombat returns to Las Vegas later today in a side tournament already eclipsing some of the official Evo World Championship events!

The unofficial event is the product of the hard work by players turned organizers: Pig of the Hut & Claude Von Stroke! Together they've assembled some of the world's best Mortal Kombat (2011) players for a fourth year of double elimination kombat! With prizes from Mortal Kombat Online [full story], NetherRealm Studios, and a crowd sourced pot in excess of $2000.00 -- the players will have plenty of reasons to take the competition seriously!

2-time Evo World Champion PerfectLegend talked to us about his goals for 2014. Chief among them: his search for redemption against 2013 World Champion - DJT. We went to the defending champion, who confirmed his return, and responded to Perfect Legend's challenge.

I think it will be tight to play [PerfectLegend] again. He beat me Evo 2011, I beat him Evo 2013. It will be interesting. I feel confident that I will win. We run into each other like any top player would think. I think me and Perfect Legend would make a good Grand Final for MK.

A lot of our community doesn't play MK seriously anymore, but I will try and play my best. I still got to defend my title! I definitely want to get at least Top 8 so I can one of those MKX shirts. So GDLK!

I definitely have a good chance at winnin,g because all I need is the net and the dream!! Also: I can't wait till MKX, bro!

Thanks to a grassroots effort by Pig of the Hut (PigHut) & Claude Von Stroke -- Mortal Kombat (2011) is returning to the Evo World Championships for an unofficial fourth year of tournament action -- this Saturday! [full story]

Mortal Kombat Online is so excited by the event, we're proud to announce our involvement as a sponsor by providing Limited Edition Mortal Kombat Klassic Fight Sticks as prizes for both tournament Winner - and the Runner-Up!

These come with special thanks to Performance Designed Products (PDP) -- who provided the prizes in partnership with Mortal Kombat Online! PDP have been official Mortal Kombat fight stick makers since 2011 -- designing the original Tournament Edition Stick especially for the game!

It was with noted disappointment that we learned in February Mortal Kombat (2011) would miss out on a fourth consecutive year at the Evo World Championships. Fortunately, the June reveal of sequel Mortal Kombat X has provided a shot of adrenaline into the flagging scene: inspiring a grass roots campaign that will gather some of the world's top players for a special side tournament at the Las Vegas major!

More than just a popular 1996 action blockbuster: Independence Day is the commemoration of the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. A surprising number of global nations celebrate equivalent days in the month of July, but since Mortal Kombat is an American institution: we're firing up the barbecue, lighting some roman candles, and saluting the US Special Forces' All-American hero: Major. Jackson Briggs!

Jax has been a steadfast presence since his introduction in Mortal Kombat II -- fighting twenty years (as of last month) for truth, justice & the American way! John Parrish was the man with the massive muscles who first brought the character to life. He was one of the guests of honor attending a reunion of digitized sprites at Galloping Ghost Arcade (last weekend) [full story].

Jax has inspired some outstanding artwork housed in the Mortal Kombat Online Fan Submission Archive! Join us as we cast a spotlight on just some of the standouts this Fourth of July! Be a part of future Art of Kombat instalments by registering to submit your work for future consideration!

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!

Earlier in June; families the United States over celebrated patriarchs everywhere as part of the local Father's Day! The annual event came as we learnt one of Mortal Kombat's favourites had entered the maturing world of fatherhood by siring Mortal Kombat X newcomer: Cassie Cage.

With nary a scale of the snake of June still visible, we sneak one final glance backward into a busy schedule. What better way to salute new papa Johnny Cage than by immortalizing his Hollywood star through the tributes found in Mortal Kombat Online's legendary Fan Submission archive - and beyond? Note: You can pay similar tribute and appear in future Art of Kombat features if you register to submit your work as well!

Mortal Kombat X was on the floor at this year's E3 offering six playable characters in the first live demo build. Kommunity identity "Maximilian Dood" was able to procure two hours of play time at the event, and shared his experiences in extensive vlogs.

With the first-look at Mortal Kombat X gameplay footage revealed at E3 -- impressions have been coming thick and fast! Two-time Mortal Kombat Evo World Champion PerfectLegend has been no exception, taking to YouTube after the Day 1 demo to offer his thoughts in a vlog.

This year's E3 was dominated by developments in the newly revealed Mortal Kombat X! Though the Expo may be over, the highlights continue! Back safe from the trip to LA, long running Mortal Kombat fan-site TRMK has posted an interview conducted with NetherRealm Studios Creative Director Ed Boon -- and it contains some compelling new details!

As we gear up for next week's E3: the leading topic of speculation remains the next playable roster! Mortal Kombat X will be at the annual gaming mecca to reveal at least 2 more playable characters -- "brand new", or so we're told. We expect to see plenty of familiar faces to go along with them, but not everyone character can make the cut.

Project Lead Ed Boon has spent the last few days setting expectations for E3. Amongst his various clues, allusions & titbits -- the kibosh for some of the more obscure characters fans have requested. With speculation running wild, it's time to spin the wheel of broken dreams and reflect upon Ed's Kharacter Deadpool!