
Mortal Kombat 1: No More DLC Characters or Story Chapters
Warner Bros. has confirmed that Mortal Kombat 1 will not receive any further DLC characters or story chapters, a disappointing announcement for many fans of the popular fighting game.
This decision comes after Mortal Kombat 1 sold 5 million copies, a figure that, while substantial, underperforms compared to previous entries in the series. The news was shared via the official Mortal Kombat social media account, acknowledging the disappointment it would cause players.
The statement explained that the team at NetherRealm needs to shift its to their next project to ensure its success. What could this next project be? Speculation currently points towards Injustice 3, a continuation of NetherRealm’s DC fighting game series. Could this be the reason for the halt in Mortal Kombat 1 development?
NetherRealm's Statement on Mortal Kombat 1 Support
The official statement reads: "We are hearing players’ requests for continued game support of Mortal Kombat 1, and, while we will continue to support Mortal Kombat 1 through balance adjustments and fixes, there will not be additional DLC characters or story chapters released from this point on. We understand this will be disappointing for fans, but our team at NetherRealm needs to shift to the next project in order to make it as great as we possibly can."
The final major content update for Mortal Kombat 1 was the release of the T-1000 guest character in March 2025, a year and a half after the game's initial launch.
For comparison, NetherRealm announced the end of DLC support for Mortal Kombat 11 two years and three months after its release, revealing that they were beginning work on Mortal Kombat 1. This announcement for Mortal Kombat 1 comes just one year and eight months after its release. Is this timeline too short for dedicated fans?
Fan Disappointment and Previous Promises
Some players are referencing past from NetherRealm development chief Ed Boon, who previously assured fans of long-term support for Mortal Kombat 1. In September 2024, Boon tweeted reassurance to concerned fans, stating that "NetherRealm is still fully committed to supporting Mortal Kombat 1 for a long time to come.”
The game did see a resurgence in January with the secret fight involving Floyd, a pink ninja character teased by Boon for years. This sparked community engagement and breathed new life into the game. Despite this, many core Mortal Kombat fans consider the overall release to be disappointing.
What does the future hold for Mortal Kombat? Warner Bros. Discovery has expressed confidence in the franchise. CEO David Zaslav mentioned in November that the company plans to on four key game titles, with Mortal Kombat being one of them. Additionally, a movie adaptation, Mortal Kombat 2, is scheduled for release later this year.
The Future of the Mortal Kombat Franchise
While the news of no further DLC for Mortal Kombat 1 is undoubtedly disappointing for many, Warner Bros. remains optimistic about the franchise's future. With a on core titles and a movie adaptation on the horizon, the Mortal Kombat universe is far from over. Only time will tell what NetherRealm's next project will be and how it will impact the fighting game landscape.