Look at the 3d model of ermac's potential build for mkx. NRS may have provided us with a clue to prove that this is not just fantastic fan art.

Provided with the 3D models are 3 distinct head shots labeled v1, v2, v3. Now think about that.. each character we have seen so far has had model-altering effects for each variation. Could it be possible that the "v" stands for variation1, variation2, variation3? What are the chances a fan-art piece would include exactly the same number of variations as the final build of the game? Let me remind you this picture was tweeted out before the public knew anything about how the variations would work.

This may be proof enough to suggest that this fan art is actually an indication of ermacs eventual inclusion into the game.

I'm not ruling out his inclusion in MKX, but I wouldn't be to thrilled about it either. Their are 3D freelance artists out their y'know? But it's far too coincidental imo. At some point I believe he will make the roster either at launch or as DLC that has yet to be determined. Good find thisiscourage. Now if you could just dig up a reptile confirmation...

Trust me, I would love to dig up anything and everything about reptile.

But yes, it does seem especially coincidental. Especially with the mystery woman being talked about by NRS. It seems as though they are giving us teaser hints every few weeks on potential characters.

Yeah, for all the insistence that it's fan art (cough), it's weird that you would publicly post WIPs like that to go with it.

Yes, extremely interesting indeed. Anyone have any speculation on possible variations for ermac given the three head shots?

I really want this Ermac, or no Ermac at all! :-p

v1. Ranged, sending souls and telekinesis all over the place.
v2. Rush-down character. Uses his telekinesis to fling his opponent to him or vice versa. Or actually I forgot about his teleport, maybe this one exclusively has his teleport.
v3. Ranged, telekinetically ripping the ground/walls/ceilings off flinging it to the opponent.

I like your ideas. V3 would be very cool, and new to ermac (not new ability-wise just new as in next gen) We are seeing interactable levels but do you think we will see characters effecting the map like so? I hope so, that would be very cool and fitting for a character such as ermac.

V2. I would like to see him use telekinesis during combos like in mk9. Those combos were so fun to do if you landed them. The one where he physically hits you away from him and then zaps you in mid-air or telekinesis whips you back down. One of his variations has to have a bunch of these in them.

V1 can be similar to v2 but adds his two ranged levitate attacks.

PS. @DVorah we finally agree on something my friend

Yeah his v2 could be telekinetic combo-heavy. And yeah I should have thought about his levitate. They could expand on the dynamics of that move, rather than just having a ground slam or flying kick.

I'm not even a huge fan of Ermac and love that design.

How would this be Ermac's design with how overly designed it is? They flat out said they're trying to not over design, and over complicate the designs in this game. That render is more over the top than any design in MK9. Think?

I think they were referring to stuff like Scorpion looking too much like a Scorpion, or Sonya looking too much like a military-themed stripper. I think the concept is perfect for someone as mysterious as Ermac. I support not over-thinking costumes, but at the same time I wouldn't want them to make the costumes too simple.

I think your spot on. If you look at the level of detail given to scorpion and subby it's unbelievable. They have the most detailed costumes to date. Scorpion has belts all over the place his mask is extremely detailed. Subby is strapped head to toe with knives on his wrists (I think I counted 6 throwing knives on his wrist), shuriken on his waist; and yet it all looks and flows seamlessly and doesn't look over crowded in the least.

You all know that concept but here it is:

http://mp1st.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/C74wM7i.jpg

Someone can embed it, i forgot how, anyway comment on the topic.

Yeah, I want that Ermac, it's awesome, and that russian scorpion with that stupid hat is bull!

I can not agree more about this Ermac. I was praying this was his look when it first came out and was honestly disappointed that his costume was different in the stream. I love his current "main" costume, but this scarecrowish one is just amazing. I don't hate the scorpion one, but the difference in hype for this Ermac one is insane compared to the scorpion one.

I'm PRAYING to the elder gods this Ermac costume is in as an alt.

Hell I'd pay over $5 just for that costume.

There may have been numerous reasons we may never know. Such as, the artist not being able to be reached or being unreasonable in changes, compensation, etc. I love the design as well, and I hope NRS does more of the Kollective Kollaborations. Who knows maybe that design is a future DLC down the line. A Kollective skin pack would sell very well, I believe. Fear-sAs has many other designs I want to see in MKX along with Cold War Scorpion. EDIT: Apparently the designer is on staff, but there are still numerous variables we might have no idea about.

This Ermac should have been in the game and it was created by one of the concept artist at NRS if i am not wrong...?

May be they wanted to do just more of Scorpion costumes, I'm really not at all impressed by the cold war scorpion.

H8in' on fear-sAs....LOL.

I would have been way surprised if they didn't choose Sergey. I mean, have you looked at his portfolio? Or his dA page? My god.

That Ermac one is still awesome, but they did right by going with fear-sAs.

It's not an either/or scenario. Your question is really 'Why wasn't this Ermac design included?' Bernard's on staff, so it's the same answer as any design choice in the game. Although, presently we don't even know that the design hasn't been included, so even that question is premature.

There were some truly terrific Kitana and Reptile designs that weren't used. It's always a part of the process.

Ofcourse the render looks well made but yeah not ermac. Like he went from ninja wizard to emo wizard.

This costume needs to be in!

It's a great render, but it's probably too detailed/high poly for it to work in the game. Should this get into the game, they're going to scale it down a bit I guess.

I had no idea who this fear-SAS guy was, then I saw the alt image on the main page.

That...is probably the worst Scorpion outfit I have ever seen. Fan art is certainly not always better than what the designers come up with, boys and girls.

But the art itself? Check out his DeviantArt Gallery.

I agree it's not exactly the best, design-wise, but we have yet to see it in-game and I think it's miles ahead of that Coarse design, which is the worst I've seen for Scorpion so far.

Oh yeah, he's got some great stuff on there, but that Scorpion...no. In fact, his best work is actually his non-MK material.

(If anyone's interested, here's Ermac in his alt doing the "Gutwrench" Fatality on Kano. Link)