According to NetherRealm Studio's chief creative officer Ed Boon, Mortal Kombat 1 may be the studio's upcoming game, but it doesn't mean Injustice 3 is out of the question.
The co-creator of Mortal Kombat and Injustice explained in an interview with IGN why he "probably shouldn't" share some of the reasons why he decided to make another Mortal Kombat game after Mortal Kombat 11 was released in 2019. Since the debut of the original Injustice: Gods Among Us in 2013, NetherRealm has alternated between Mortal Kombat games and a new entry in the DC universe fighting series.
The influence of COVID-19 on development and the team's choice to use a newer version of the Unreal Engine for their upcoming game were the only two topics Boon was open to talking about. Unreal Engine 4 powers Mortal Kombat 1, whereas Unreal Engine 3 powers Mortal Kombat 11. Unreal Engine 5 was launched by Unreal's developers, Epic Games, last year.
Boon said, "We really wanted to be careful with COVID and all that stuff and everybody staying safe, So there were a bunch of variables involved that we eventually realized, 'Okay, let's do another Mortal Kombat game and hopefully we'll get back to the Injustice games."
Even though it could be a while until another Injustice game is released, there seems to be a lot to be excited about with Mortal Kombat 1. A brand-new chronology for the series, which flips the franchise's rich heritage, will be introduced in Mortal Kombat 1. Two instances of what to anticipate are Lui Kang becoming a deity and Sub-Zero and Scorpion becoming brothers.
A gameplay clip for Mortal Kombat 1's Summer Game Fest appearance gave fans their greatest look to date, showcasing the new Kameo assist system. Players may summon different companion characters to unleash their characteristic attacks at almost any moment via the Kameo system, which is useful for handing out lethal combinations. In a recent hands-on preview of Mortal Kombat 1, GameSpot said that the game's emphasis on aerial combinations and new Kameo system make it a "creative fighter's dream."
On September 19, 2023, Mortal Kombat 1 will be made available on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and PC. Early access will be available to those who purchase the Premium or Kollector's edition of the game starting on September 14. For those who pre-order Mortal Kombat 1, a closed beta will be accessible in August.