Warner Bros. has officially confirmed that Mortal Kombat 1 will not receive any further downloadable characters or additional story content. The statement followed the release of the Definitive Edition and confirmed suspicions among fans that support for the title was winding down.
Despite selling 5 million copies globally, Mortal Kombat 1 hasn’t matched the performance of its predecessors. The series’ previous entry, Mortal Kombat 11, surpassed 15 million units sold and became the franchise’s most commercially successful installment, overtaking Mortal Kombat X, which had nearly 11 million sales shortly after its debut.
Development Team Redirects Efforts Toward Future Projects
The announcement was made via the game’s official social media account. Warner Bros. acknowledged players’ ongoing interest in new content but explained that the NetherRealm team must now concentrate entirely on their next title. The publisher noted that while general support in the form of balance patches and technical fixes would continue, no new story chapters or fighters would be added moving forward.
Although the next game was not revealed, speculation points strongly toward Injustice 3, the next possible installment in NetherRealm’s superhero fighting game series.
Final Content Drop Arrived in March 2025
The T-1000, introduced as a guest character in March 2025, now stands as Mortal Kombat 1’s final substantial content update. For reference, NetherRealm made a similar move in July 2021 when it stopped supporting Mortal Kombat 11 to begin work on what later became Mortal Kombat 1. That shift occurred two years and three months after Mortal Kombat 11’s debut. In contrast, support for Mortal Kombat 1 ends one year and eight months after its launch.
Conflicting Messages From Studio Leadership
Players have been quick to revisit comments made by longtime creative lead Ed Boon. In September 2024, Boon had attempted to calm growing concerns that development was winding down by stating that NetherRealm remained dedicated to supporting the game for years. These earlier statements have since sparked debate within the community, with some feeling misled by the assurance of long-term support.
A Brief Revival Amid Lingering Disappointment
The game saw a short-lived resurgence earlier this year when players uncovered a hidden boss battle featuring Floyd, the elusive pink ninja teased for years by Boon. The discovery led to a wave of community engagement, giving the game renewed attention. However, for many core fans, this excitement was not enough to offset the overall feeling of missed potential.
What Lies Ahead for the Franchise and Studio
Despite the end of active content development for Mortal Kombat 1, Warner Bros. Discovery has stated it remains committed to the franchise. In November, company CEO David Zaslav identified Mortal Kombat as one of four key gaming brands the company intends to focus on moving forward. The upcoming live-action sequel, Mortal Kombat 2, is also expected to launch later this year, continuing the brand’s presence in entertainment beyond games.
While the exact nature of NetherRealm’s next game is still under wraps, fans are closely watching for signs of what’s coming next—whether it’s another chapter in the Injustice saga, a direct Mortal Kombat sequel, or a brand-new IP.