At a time gaming has become increasingly interconnected and platform boundaries have become close to nonexistent, fans of NetherRealm Studios’ Mortal Kombat 1 are increasingly becoming more vocal about their desire for the game to have cross-platform play capabilities. This feature has become a standard expectation among today’s games, especially the ones that are multiplayer-centric, like the eminent fighting games that attract both dedicated and casual players. With the game having launched without cross-play, a significant portion of the fanbase has expressed disappointment, a sentiment that the studio seems poised to address.
NetherRealm’s commitment to enhancing the Mortal Kombat 1 experience post-launch is evidenced by the recent poll conducted by Ed Boon, the co-creator of Mortal Kombat and current Creative Director at the studio. The poll, which is presenting a clear message, proved that 75.5% of the nearly 58,000 participants voted prioritizing the currently-nonexistent cross-play above other online features, such as ranked play adjustments, ping, and WiFi filters. This level of demand indicates the feature’s critical importance to the players, significantly overshadowing other considerations and placing a spotlight on the studio’s roadmap for updates.
The incessant calls for cross-play is hardly surprising. Many of Mortal Kombat 1’s contemporaries, like Street Fighter 6, and the upcoming fighting game, Tekken 8, each feature seamless cross-platform interaction, heightening expectations for all multiplayer games to follow suit. Mortal Kombat 1, with its robust following, seems close to finally making fans happy, with Boon’s poll results indicating that the studio recognizes cross-play as a priority in their ongoing development efforts.
We are working on additional online features for MK1. Can't announce any dates/specifics at the moment. Which feature would you like to see the most/first?
— Ed Boon (@noobde) November 3, 2023
Notably, cross-play’s absence at launch was perceived by some fans as a sign of the game being rushed, compounded by other launch issues such as glitchy combat and unattainable achievements. However, the developers’ open dialogue and responsiveness to community feedback have been a mitigating factor, suggesting a commitment to continual improvement and alignment with player expectations.
The potential introduction of cross-play wouldn’t only meet a current demand but it proves that the studio is in this for the long-term, especially with the shadow of the next Injustice game looming over NetherRealm’s head. Most fighting games, known for their smaller, more concentrated player bases, benefit immensely from features that expand as well as integrate their communities. Cross-play enhances the longevity and accessibility of a game by broadening the matchmaking pool, reducing wait times, and fostering a more vibrant and diverse competitive scene.
While the anticipation builds, the implementation details of cross-play for Mortal Kombat 1 remain uncertain. Players are eagerly awaiting confirmation of whether this feature will bridge the divides between all platforms, including the Xbox Series S/X, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and PC, or if it will follow in the footsteps of Mortal Kombat 11, which limited cross-play to console platforms only.
Given the market trend and community feedback, a more inclusive approach could be advantageous. But, if we’re being honest, most fans wouldn’t mind if cross-play is available only to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series S/X, for parity’s sake, especially since the game still doesn’t run well on the Switch.
Concerns regarding cross-play often center around fairness and the quality of the competitive experience, particularly in terms of differing control inputs and the potential for imbalanced gameplay. First-person shooters, for example, have been a contentious arena for cross-play, with debates over the advantages of PC gamers’ input precision versus auto-aim features on consoles. The need for a balanced competitive environment is particularly acute in fighting games, where millisecond reactions and input accuracy are paramount to the gameplay experience.
Nevertheless, cross-play is a sought-after feature, and its introduction could represent a significant enhancement to the Mortal Kombat 1 gaming experience. As Boon’s poll indicates, players are keen on this feature, which holds the promise of uniting friends across platforms and expanding the game’s competitive landscape.
With the first DLC wave coming soon, including the addition of Omni-Man to the roster, the timing is perfect for Boon to capitalize on this momentum by integrating cross-play.
Speaking of Mortal Kombat, The T-1000, the bad guy from Terminator 2: Judgment Day, is reportedly joining the roster as part of a future DLC.
