Developer NetherRealm has surprise-launched a Definite Edition of 2023’s divisive Mortal Kombat 1, and some fans are taking it as a sign that development is coming to an end.
NetherRealm released its Mortal Kombat 1: Definitive Edition overnight on Switch, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC with minimal fanfare. It bundles together the main game, its Khaos Reigns story expansion, Shang Tsung, two Kombat Packs featuring additional fighters and Kameo characters, some in-game currency, and a selection of skins. Animality finishing moves have also been added in a free update for all players.
All that equates to around 18 months of post-launch support following Mortal Kombat 1’s divisive arrival back in 2023. Chris Moyse criticised the game’s “receding features, underbaked mechanics, and a dated online experience” in Eurogamer’s Mortal Kombat 1 review, and the game drew further complaints as the extent of its aggressive post-launch monetisation became clear. In the time since, NetherRealm has continued its schedule of DLC releases – now collected in the Definitive Edition – culminating in the arrival of Terminator’s T-1000 in March.
However, following the character’s release, there’s been little talk of future DLC plans, beyond a couple of skins intended to tie-in with this year’s Mortal Kombat movie sequel, and player numbers – on Steam at least – have settled in the low thousands, barely higher than those of the now-six-year-old Mortal Kombat 11. It’s in this context fans are interpreting the launch of Mortal Kombat 1’s Definitive Edition as a development death knell, with many mocking NetherRealm boss Ed Boone’s earlier promise the studio would “work on the game for years to come”, and his more recent commitment to “supporting Mortal Kombat 1 for a long time to come.”