With just a few days to go before the official release of Mortal Kombat 1 on September 19, fighting game afficionados can barely hold on to their excitement. As players eagerly await the next chapter from NetherRealm Studios, the developer has come out with some news that may leave some disappointed.
NetherRealm Studios recently took to social media to confirm that Mortal Kombat 1 will launch without crossplay – a huge miss in this day and age.
For those uninitiated, crossplay (or “Kross-Play” as the developers are referring to it) allows players from different video game platforms to compete against one another. This news comes as a surprise, especially given the initial indications that suggested the contrary.
https://twitter.com/MortalKombat/status/1701672048408551464
Previously, there were whispers about the inclusion of this feature when an FAQ on the game’s website mentioned plans for crossplay and cross-progression support “post-launch.” However, this information was removed soon after, causing some confusion amongst fans and gaming communities. A crossplay tag briefly appeared on MK1’s Steam page, which was again removed shortly after, raising eyebrows about the studio’s intentions.
The ambiguity around this decision is compounded when we consider that Mortal Kombat 11, MK1’s predecessor, had a crossplay feature, except it was restricted to the PlayStation and Xbox platforms.
For fans hoping to see an expansion of this feature to include PC players, the current scenario isn’t promising and downright disappointing. Mortal Kombat 1 was hyped as a true next-gen experience. It’s incomplete without cross-play, especially since its competitors, like Street Fighter 6 and Tekken 8, the latter of which is coming out next year, have both embraced crossplay between the PC and consoles.
Mortal Kombat 1 is slated for early access on September 14 for those who have pre-ordered the Premium Edition ahead of its official launch five days later.
If it’s any consolation, the studio is assuring fans that it will incorporate the feature post-launch, though the exact date for its release remains undisclosed.
On a brighter note, Mortal Kombat 1 is shaping up to be a significant addition to the franchise. Boasting a diverse mix of familiar and new characters, the game promises to offer an immersive experience to its players. There’s plenty of excitement about the addition of celebrity involvement, with Megan Fox voicing Nitara and Jean Claude Van Damme finally lending his visage for Johnny Cage, a character inspired by the lead of the 1988 film, Bloodsport. Alongside the announcement regarding crossplay, NetherRealm Studios also released a thrilling launch trailer. Fans were treated to Reiko’s return, a first glimpse of Shang Tsung in action, and, of course, the franchise’s signature gore-filled Fatalities. There’s also mention of the first Kombat Pack, which will introduce more characters and fighters in the future.
This game marks four years since the release of the previous installment. Despite being a reboot, Mortal Kombat 1 will retain many beloved features from the series, especially its unique fighters and trademark fatalities.
On the topic of cross-play, it remains unclear if Mortal Kombat 1 will have cross-progression, a feature present in Mortal Kombat 11 for those sharing a similar gaming ecosystem, like the PS4 and PS5. But, given that Mortal Kombat 1 will be on newer platforms such as the PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC exclusively as well as the Nintendo Switch, it’s highly unlikely that cross-progression across the different platforms will be available.
Ultimately, the delay in incorporating the crossplay feature in Mortal Kombat 1 might be a minor setback for some fans. However, the assurance from NetherRealm Studios that it’s in the works is a silver lining, and players can look forward to an even more enriched experience post-launch.
