New Mortal Kombat Game Promises to Reinvent 2D Fighting, Return To Gore Filled Fatality Roots
NetherRealm Studios (formerly Midway Games Chicago prior to being purchased by Warner Bros. in July 2009), has announced a new Mortal Kombat game (due for release in 2011) that promises to go back to the game’s gore filled roots, while offering a “reinvention” for the 2D fighting genre.
Noted additions to the latest Mortal Kombat title include new game modes, an “extensive online experience” that will allow for up to four player “tag-team” style matches, and a “Co-op Arcade Mode” that works both on and offline.
I can still remember the tone of long time Midway Creative Director Ed Boon’s voice, as he addressed the fatality limitations of their 2008 “Mortal Kombat vs DC” release, in countless video interviews like the GameTrailers TV session quoted below:
“We are going to keep the ‘brutality’ and ‘intenseness’ of a Mortal Kombat fight, it’s just that, you know, when we do a finishing move, you’re not going to tear Batman’s head off, Superman’s not going to kill somebody,” said Ed Boon, Creative Director, Midway Studios. ”But you’re gonna’ have big kind of – ’punctuation’ at the end. Kind of ‘big events’ that people will be able to trigger off with secret moves just like finishing moves have always been with Mortal Kombat.”
Despite his best effort to deliver the company line, his tone and facial expression seemed to say, “Our fans want blood! What the hell are we doing!? I hope this doesn’t back fire.”
Mortal Kombat E3 2010 Trailer
In the end, the title was released with mixed reviews at best, placing its Metacritic score at a 72. Not to say that a numeric score is everything, but when reading the latest statements issued today, it’s clear to see that both Martin Tremblay, Presisent of Warner Bros. Interactive, and Ed Boon, now Creative Director of NetherRealm Studios, realize the importance of delivering a product that meets the expectation of their core fans.
“We are bringing the Mortal Kombat franchise back to gamers with the talented NetherRealm Studios team creating the game fans long to play,” said Martin Tremblay, President, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. “Re-establishing the brand with Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, Mortal Kombat innovates on past games while staying true to the brand’s legendary characters and fighting style.”
“We can’t wait for players to get their hands on Mortal Kombat,” said Ed Boon, Creative Director, NetherRealm Studios. “This game really is a response to what players have been demanding: mature presentation, reinvented 2D fighting mechanic and the best, most gruesome fatalities ever!”
If nothing else, it will be interesting to see how a more traditional next gen version of the series fairs. Will fans dash to get their hands on a gore filled 2D fighter, or have side scrolling based combat game games all but lost their appeal with fans?
Full press release below.
WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT ANNOUNCES MORTAL KOMBAT
Brutal Fighting Game Created By Original Game Developer with New Name – NetherRealm Studios
For PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and Xbox 360® videogame and entertainment system from Microsoft
Burbank, Calif. – June 10, 2010 – Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment announces Mortal Kombat, the most brutal installment of the landmark fighting game to date for release on the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft in 2011. Mortal Kombat is being developed by the newly re-named NetherRealm Studios, led by Mortal Kombat creator and creative director Ed Boon.
The newest chapter of the iconic fight franchise marks a triumphant return to the series’ mature presentation and a reinvention of its classic 2D fighting mechanic. Driven by an all new graphics engine, the fan favorite Fatality is back and presented in more gory detail than ever before. In addition, Mortal Kombat introduces a number of new game-play features including tag team and the deepest story mode of any fighting game. Players can choose from an extensive lineup of the game’s iconic warriors and challenge their friends in traditional 1 vs. 1 matches, or take on several new game modes.
“We are bringing the Mortal Kombat franchise back to gamers with the talented NetherRealm Studios team creating the game fans long to play,” said Martin Tremblay, President, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. “Re-establishing the brand with Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, Mortal Kombat innovates on past games while staying true to the brand’s legendary characters and fighting style.”
“We can’t wait for players to get their hands on Mortal Kombat,” said Ed Boon, Creative Director, NetherRealm Studios. “This game really is a response to what players have been demanding: mature presentation, reinvented 2D fighting mechanic and the best, most gruesome fatalities ever!”
Mortal Kombat introduces a number of new game modes as well as the most extensive online experience ever seen in a fighting game. Up to 4 players can battle “tag-team”- 2 players can team up in the new “Co-op Arcade Mode” or compete against another team online.
