Well, maybe if Midway becameas big as Nintendo, we'd see MK racing games, puzzle games, fighting games, etc. all released as separate titles.
Instead, we have a smaller company, and smaller quality of each of those types of games rolled into one.
That's the thing about Mortal Kombat, it's not just a fighting game. You can complain about MKD's fighting mechanics, but there's also Konquest, Chess and Puzzle Kombat. And yes, maybe this did mean that they were spread a little thin. But they had the best of intentions in mind.
People are talking about MK like Ed Boon WANTS to disappoint fans.

On that note.

One thing I've always found humorous and a little sad (if you'll forgive more MK "bashing") is the fact that MK's fighting in the era after MK4 is so stiff and the delays between almost every move so great that button bashing is basically impossible to win. As a result, the layman's stock criticism of fighting games "It's a fucking button basher" did not apply, and I remember distinctly when after Deception a group of dedicated fans were trying to get MK to adopt staple mechanics to improve the game, many fanboys were throwing things like "MK broken? It's not a button basher like *@X ing Tekken or beep%!*#ing Soul Calibur!" as if the only form of brokenness they could understand was when a game just let's you tap everything to win. Extra irony added by the fact that button bashing is not viable against a high level Tekken player...

Thankfully, in the end a package was send to the MK Team informing them of the importance of certain mechanics (like wake-ups) and MKA was greatly improved (though air kombat was broken as hell), MK vs DC seems like it could have actually nailed something, but we'll have to see. At any rate, more time would be a godsend to MK in ALL areas besides the fighting mechanic.

That's not what I'm talking about. I don't want Midway to turn every single idea they have for a mini-game, into a separate game. I don't want mini-games at all. When I buy Mortal Kombat it's because I just want to kick ass. Not push someone off a road in my go-kart.



That's the big problem. MK should just be a fighting game. You've got MK1-4, MK Trilogy and MKDA. All just pure fighting games, with "Test your might" as the only mini-game, and basically just lasting seconds.

I didn't ask them to rip off Street Fighter and give me a puzzle game, I didn't ask for Chess combat, I didn't ask for a cheap ass Mario Kart rip off and I didn't ask to spend hours exploring the realms to unlock characters and costumes. All I wanted was that they improve the fighting mechanics. Instead they manage to make them worse.

So, yes. I do I feel like Boon actually tries to disappoint us.

I think boon always has a good vision that he doesn't quite manage to realize.
But okay, so MKD is a broken game, that doesn't make it unplayable. You can still kick ass with Scorpion in MKD, it's not as if the vs. mode freezes or glitches out. It's still playable.

Shaolin Monks had plenty of issues, including the game freezing, but it's still an enjoyable experience.

Don't mean to offend man but that's weak. Isn't that like saying a shotty engineering job on an airplane can be compensated by a good paint-job and high-tech in-flight entertainment? If the plane crashes and burns (ala MK:D) nobody's going to come back for the paint and entertainment.

And as for best intentions, well that's a half-truth. They wanted to please the fans WHILE taking as many shortcuts as they could. They obviously didn't want to spend an extra year or two perfecting the mechanics of a new game when they could just recycle most of what they already had

Midway isn't a money mogul like EA, Capcom, etc. I'm sure they kept the MK team on a tight deadline. In which case you should be angry at the publisher, not the developer. The past few Mortal Kombat games have been made in a ridiculously short amounts of time, and somehow, I don't think it was Boon's idea to have the time span so short. It's like Midway thinks the production times should be the same right now as they were in 1990s.
ETID: Actually, it wouldn't surprise me too much if Midway the publisher TOLD the MK team, "They have this thing called Super Puzzle Fighter, so to compete that, you need to create a puzzle game." and things like that. You'd be surprised how little control the developers have over what they're working on. Boon just has to pitch an idea and hope that the publishers are gonna say, "Yes, we like that. Here's money to make it."

I think MK vs DC will be good, but I doubt it will be the MEGA-HIT that Midway needs.

I think it depends on how badly the DC fans that never played MK in their lives, want a DC based fighting game.

Edit: Wait, nevermind. You're right.

I second that! I don't understand how hard that is for Midway or the MK team to see. Also I would love (yeah that much) to see what another company would do with MK. Midway had it chances with 8 MK's. And the game isn't where it should be. Competing with the other fighters. But Boon AND Tobias would have to be part of the team. Either Both or none ..maybe a bit crazy..but that is how I see it. And if it's not possible..I would like them both to have some sort of involvement. Don't aks me which company..I haven't got much knowledge about game companies.

To have both Boon and Tobias be in charge of the next MK game would be a heaven send.

I don't care who publishes the damn game. Just let AKI Corporation develop it. I have never played a bad game by those guys. Just use the same engine they've always used (Wrestlemania 2000, No Mercy, Def Jam Vendetta, Def Jam Fight for NY) but update it and modify it for MK. Give me an intelligent plotline, I'm not frikkin' 13 anymore. Don't use unbelievably cheesy catch phrases in in-game dialog ("When this is over, I am going to FINISH you.") Hire some actually intelligent people to write the story but first make them learn everything there is to know about MK. Or, hell, hire somebody who's already a good writer and already knows everything about MK.

Ok, back to the fighting engine. You wanna be more than just a fighting game, MK? OK, fine, but don't use multiple engines. Use one engine(mentioned above) to create a fighting format that befits both fighting and adventure game. I know you guys want 4 player combat, I saw the concept in the Krypt. AKI has been doing that perfectly for over a decade. The same engine can be used to give every single character their own Konquest mode without having to create two versions of each character for two different engines. Let us upgrade our characters with new skills, clothing, and weapons. Give us CONTROL. Give us OWNERSHIP. That's what sells a game and that's what keeps people playing it. Give us something we can be proud of, that we can pop in and play ten years from now, and sigh as we say, "Yeah.....they just don't make them like this any more."

Stop going for shock value. Fatalities stopped being shocking 10 minutes after MK1 hit arcades. Then they just became shockingly bad. Give us some gameplay. Wanna do something new with fatalities? Put them in-match, like super-moves, specials, or "Blazin" moves.

What the fuck's up with 6 special moves apiece?? You need like, fifty to be competitive. Be freakin' creative! I don't wanna see rehashed ground pounds and lame ass garbage moves like puking on the ground or spitting blood at someone. WTF? Spitting blood? Is that supposed to hurt?? Who you get these ideas from Boon, your six year old daughter?

Deep breath.

Whew....I think I'm gonna be alright.

But... 50 special moves per character? You don't think that's overdoing it a bit? I mean, what's to keep people from using nothing BUT special moves? I think, on the contrary, they should focus more on expanding combos and physical attacks.
But aside from that, I agree about the engine itself.

Well, I meant including combos and junk. Just like how you you look in your move list in SC or Tekken and there's all kinds of good shit in there, even shit you'll never ever use. Maybe fifty is a bit much, IDK, I've never counted.

Oh, okay. Cause I got the impression that you meant like 50 different fireballs and teleport moves.
Well, people can dream, but until something DOES change, there's really no point.
I make the best out of bad. MK has its flaws, but I enjoy it, so I'm just happy about that.

I just marvel at all the wasted potential in the series.

Well, Ed Boon has been paying attention to what fans were saying. So if that didn't work, it's not like what we have to say will help.
I mean, Midway isn't gonna go to Aki for their engine, and they're not gonna hand over the team to someone else. If Midway tanks or gets bought out, then we'll have something new to speculate about. But until then, we just have to hope the game mechanics will improve, sit by and wait.
But like I said, Ed Boon isn't the only one to blame. And it wouldn't surprise me at all if we found out that Chess Kombat, Puzzle Kombat, Kombat Racing, etc. Were all things that Midway told them to make because they thought it would sell well among the fans of Super Puzzle Fighter, Mario Kart, etc.

sigh.. after going through this whole thread.. i gotta say.. i'm quite dissappointed with midway's efforts. I'm sure they could have done much better instead of having too much fun.. I really love the mk franchise..from the mk1 days to 2 to 3, 4 was nice to see it come in 3d, even though i never played mk:SF, deadly alliance was a major comeback to see it on a next-gen console at that time.It was shocking to hear the game was being made.
When i heard of mk on next gen, i couldn't wait for the fatalities.. i was expecting better graphics and visuals and special effects to be used in them.. because the generation we're in.. expectations keep skyrocketing, but the fatalities were too simple... I particularily didn't enjoy the gameplay in the long-run, it was just good for a while.
Would you prefer mk being made by a different company or mk not being made at all... assuming midway can't keep the franchise.I don't mind if they can still hold on to mk, but they need to get their act together. But i don't mind if Ed or John can work on it with another company that works on dark franchises. I don't want to see puzzle games, or racing games, or a krypt with pictures of the developers, even though i respect that they make the game,if you are a true mk fan, you'd know them.. you don't want their personal pics of them included in a game.. i'm not sure if other companies have even done that..??? i was dissappointed with the krypt too.. i had high hopes for it although i didn't mind konquest.

What they need is MK with fighting like Killer Insinct, elements from God of War brutality, and Silent Hill scare factor, because mk is supposed to be a dark franchise.and a fighting that is worth playing, scary, dark, shocking, and not funny. What was that game tobias went to work for, or joined with. It was for xbox 360, or xbox been a while.. that game i believe had elements like swinging round a pole, and interactive elements, mk needs those desperately.. Adding a thing or two doesn't just change mk.. you need to add tons of things if you know your franchise isn't succeeding.And when adding those things, make sure to do them right.. I think midway could try working with somebody to help their game.. i was really anticipating for mk9? (wonders if that will happen) the next gen mk over mk vs dc.. because.. mk vs dc.. offers dc characters, a close combat, going to different levels, multiple fatalities..rage mode..some moves with advanced style.i guess it's not too bad.. but they really need to work on a story... i think this all been mentioned before.. but.. i want that same feeling the movie gave us.. where we see the mk dragon symbol on the ship where sonya jax kano meet up. That dark feeling when we see goro.. that dark feeling isn't just there anymore...The feeling where reptile was a hidden character.. in the pit! i never knew there was a pit that time haha....and i think they need to improve their blood..it's just... too...cartooonnyy.... why would the whole body bleed if.. you damage the head area.... i think they don't have enough attention to detail. They need to work on that.

If i was making mk, i'd give each character their own level and make it interact only if you use the character that resides in that level giving them advantage, although it can only be done if levels are randomized or both players agree on the level.I'd make it as if scorpion was god of netherrealm, making him use the most demonic and hellish powers that can be imagined. skulls of flames and fire arising from everywhere, like a mini boss fight.. sort of like a little challenge if you do choose to fight in that level, although not necessary.Yes, i'm talking about vs mode. =) All characters need to be different....or at least most..i thought mk was supposed to have armor falling off at mk:da's timespan... and that still hasn't happened??? i think mk vs dc supports that...NOW.... sure took time.. and i think the matches need to last a little longer.. the fights just don't last that long.
I wouldn't mind if the gameplay got a little more speed to it.

Probably, but the hordes of 13 year olds with an IQ of 85 will still ensure a sequel. But I won't lose sleep if Midway goes under.

My point ..You are the only one here to understand me .....
Thats why I think that MK:D&MK:A were the best games I spent my money on .

I mean if you get tired of the fighting you have the puzzle which is a very classic game in its own rights and if you get tired here you have Konquest with the whole great story of MK if you get tired then you got the chess Kombat .and at last if you got tired then you can just hear the greatest music a Fighting game could ever have and the best Bio Cards ever created in fighting games .

Thats MK and that is why it will always kick any Japanese fighting game in anytime .

So which is it , is MK over or not?

We'll find out with their sales, this Christmas season.

Hmmm.....

I can imagine two possible outcomes....

1: MKvsDC sells extremely well. Not GTAIV well, but well for an MK game. Popularity is driven up by the smash hit that The Dark Knight made in theatres. The games features Batman, Superman and the Joker, for pete's sake. Many DC fans buy it because it's the only DC fighting game and probably better than most DC games. Most MK fans buy it because, well, it's MK. Hundreds, maybe thousands others buy it because they're vaguely familiar with either universe and were intrigued by the concept. Midway makes a decent profit off of it and continues to manufacture mediocre MK games.

2. The game does reasonably well, but not enough to save Midway from going under. Another publisher buys the MK property and puts the MK team to work on the next MK, only this time with expanded budget, talent, and timelines. Fans eagerly await the unveiling of MK's new direction.


Of course it could go a million and one different ways, maybe even one possiblity is that Midway will make a little money off of this and then realize that they need to step their game up, thus taking the franchise more seriously. I'm not going to get my hopes up. Either way, when all is said and done, I'm confident that this will not be the end of the MK series.