NetherRealm Ends Mortal Kombat 1 DLC for Next Project

Warner Bros. has confirmed what Mortal Kombat 1 players had feared following the recent launch of the Definitive Edition: the game will receive no additional DLC characters or story expansions.

Mortal Kombat 1 has sold 5 million units, contributing to the franchise's overall sales of 100 million. Mortal Kombat 11 quickly surpassed Mortal Kombat X's nearly 11 million global sales to become the series' best-selling title. By 2022, Mortal Kombat 11 had exceeded 15 million units worldwide. It's clear that Mortal Kombat 1 hasn't matched the commercial success of its predecessors.

In a statement posted on the official Mortal Kombat social media account, Warner Bros. acknowledged player disappointment, "but our team at NetherRealm must redirect its efforts toward our next project to ensure it meets our highest standards."

Warner Bros. didn't specify what this new project entails, though current speculation suggests it could be Injustice 3, continuing NetherRealm's DC fighting game series.

Here is the complete statement:

We hear players' requests for ongoing support of Mortal Kombat 1. While we'll continue providing balance updates and fixes, no further DLC characters or story content will be developed from this point forward.

We know this news will disappoint many fans, but our NetherRealm team needs to concentrate on the next project to deliver the best possible experience.

The March 2025 release of the T-1000 guest character, arriving a year and a half after Mortal Kombat 1's launch, now stands as the game's final major content addition. For comparison, NetherRealm announced in July 2021 that it had begun work on its next project (Mortal Kombat 1) and would cease DLC development for Mortal Kombat 11—a decision made two years and three months after that game's release. Today's announcement arrives just one year and eight months following Mortal Kombat 1's debut.

Players are revisiting previous statements from NetherRealm's chief developer Ed Boon, who had initially promised long-term support for the game. Many are highlighting a September 2024 tweet where Boon reassured concerned fans by stating: "NetherRealm remains fully committed to supporting Mortal Kombat 1 for the foreseeable future."

What Will Be NetherRealm Studios' Next Game?

Mortal Kombat 2Injustice 3Something else (let us know what in the comments)

AnswerSee Results

Mortal Kombat 1 experienced a brief resurgence in January with the secret battle against Floyd, the pink ninja developer Boon had hinted at for years. This sparked a community-wide effort that temporarily revitalized the game. However, this remained one of few highlights in what many dedicated Mortal Kombat fans consider a generally disappointing release.

What lies ahead for Mortal Kombat? Parent company Warner Bros. Discovery has expressed confidence in the franchise's future. CEO David Zaslav stated in November that the company plans to focus heavily on just four game franchises, including Mortal Kombat. The film adaptation Mortal Kombat 2 is scheduled to release later this year.