Uproar Over Mortal Kombat 1's Halloween Fatality Pricing

The argument exists that these aren't technically paywalls, but rather, microtransactions. The distinction is that, while an example of blatant greed, Halloween Fatality doesn't affect gameplay progression at all. Of course, the fact remains that the studio is making players pay for content that should either be free or locked behind gameplay progression.

A good example of a game that includes everything with its pricing is Alan Wake 2. It's a single-player narrative-driven game - and a damn good one, at that - that's free from transactions and offers an offline gaming experience with little to no bugs. In comparison, Mortal Kombat 1 comes with a much higher price tag with microtransactions, including a season pass and a character that, unless pre-ordered, requires additional payment.

In a way, this mirrors the issue fans had with Diablo 4 and its macrotransactions. Perhaps the only difference is that the controversial dungeon crawler was always a live-service game - Mortal Kombat 1 technically still isn't.

Further aggravating the issue is the $10 increase in pricing compared to its predecessor, Mortal Kombat 11. Players are questioning the rationale behind this hike, especially as the newer game appears to have more aggressive monetization strategies. The Halloween offerings aren't just limited to the contentious Fatality. The in-game store also promotes four "Halloween" skins, simple color palette changes priced at $5 each, and an event area where victories reward players with mere recolors of existing skins.

While NetherRealm Studios hasn't officially responded to the concerns, it's evident that they've ruffled some feathers. As the studio teases more DLCs in the pipeline, it may want to re-evaluate its monetization strategies if it hopes to retain the trust and loyalty of its fan base.