News.Mortal-Kombat.Org - Articles, Interviews and Announcements

As we announced when this site was launched, we have interviewed the MK Team.

Thanks to Tim DaRosa, Natalie Salzman, Sarah (Natalie's assistant), Shinomune and Dan, who made this interview possible, and thanks also to Hans Lo, producer of Ultimate MK for the Nintendo DS, for taking some time and answering our questions:

1) Ultimate MK for DS is basically UMK3 with the Puzzle Kombat mini-game that appeared in MK Deception. Will this version of Puzzle Kombat use characters and stages from UMK3, or will it be an adaptation from the Deception’s version?

For Puzzle Kombat we decided to stay true to the original vision of the game. However, this isn’t to say it’s an exact replica of the original. While the gameplay stays true to the original, we did take advantage of the two screens of the DS. Let us not forget that we also have wireless and wi-fi support for multiplayer gaming.

2) Will the double screen, the tactile screen, and the stylus from Nintendo DS have any function for the game? If not, will a future MK game take advantage of these special features from the Nintendo DS?

We do take advantage of the dual screens in that we use it to display character information, such as character move lists on UMK3, the character animations for PK, and player stats. As for the tactile screen, the player can use this to navigate through the game’s main menu. With UMK3, we use this screen for inputting of Kombat Kodes to unlock hidden characters. For any possible future MK title, we would always look at ways that would best take advantage of what the DS has to offer. But as to what, you’ll have to wait and see.

3) Is releasing UMK3 for the NDS a first approach to test the market for possible future MK games in the NDS, or are there yet plans for more MK in the NDS?

There has always been desire for us to bring the MK universe to the DS. UMK seemed like the right idea at the right time. For future MK titles on the DS, that is always a possibility.

4) This concerns the future of some systems. What’s in store for PSP and Nintendo Wii? Will they receive exclusive MK games due to their inferior hardware compared to the PS3 and X-BOX 360?

Each system has its own strengths, as well as challenges. As for exclusive titles, it’s possible. On the PSP, we have released Mortal Kombat Unchained, which is unique to the system. For the Wii, we had MK Armageddon. While this game did appear on the Xbox and on the PS2, the game was reworked to take advantage Wii’s unique controller, bringing a new experience to the game.

5) In MK Armageddon, the last chapter of the current MK generation, bios of the characters were not included in the game. As a result, the fan base asked for a solution for such a loss (storyline is REALLY important for MK fans) and the MK team announced that we would get those bios online on Midway’s official web site. A year has passed and we have been shown only 17 bios from the impressive 64 character roster. Does Midway plan to continue making them? Or is just Midway releasing them slowly to keep the fans visiting the official Midway forums and website?

We all understand how fans want to see bios for all of the remaining characters and certainly want to give them what they want. At the same time we have a very important obligation to getting the next-generation Mortal Kombat game ready for 2008. Trust us, there is a LOT of work involved with making next-gen titles. So, while we don’t expect to see additional bios pouring in, we certainly have not taken the approach that we are done. So please be patient, we haven’t forgotten about you!!

6) Another recent game which caused controversy due to some aspects of its story is MK Shaolin Monks—it was updated in many ways but also contains many inconsistencies not only with MK2, but with recent chapters from the MK saga; the most confusing thing was the ending, which had MKDA Quan Chi with the tattoos he gets in the MKDA intro during the MK2 era. We LOVE MK’s storyline and we want it to be consistent throughout the whole saga. An official guide telling the complete storyline (from the creation of the realms to the end of Armageddon) would be very well received (and bought $$$) by fans. My question is: Is it possible that you can create a remake of a 2d fighting game with updated aspects such as a new graphic engine, updated aspects of characters, and updated roster with a more detailed storyline?

The team has always been open to such an idea, but it’s more of a question of having the time. The team is currently focused on the next chapter of Mortal Kombat. But there’s always a possibility to revisit these earlier games.

7) In MK Deception we learned of two new realms: Orderrealm and Chaosrealm, as well as the origin of all the realms. We knew about the six realms which contained Kamidogus: Earthrealm, Outworld, Edenia, Netherealm, Chaosrealm, and Orderrealm. What about Zaterra and the Vaeternus? Were they realms on their own, or were they part of another realm like Kuatan, which is part of the Outworld?

Zaterra and Vaeternus were independent realms. Zaterra was destroyed, but Vaeternus was at one point merged with Outworld.

8) In MK Mythologies: Sub-Zero, we learned of an interesting concept about the Netherealm—its technology. However, in the last games, we haven’t seen more references to that technology. Why haven’t we visited this ‘cyber-Netherealm’ again? Is it possible that in the future more of that ‘cyber-Netherealm’ will be seen?

The Netherealm was definitely more tech oriented as opposed to the later incarnations of Netherealm. Netherealm is basically the Hell of the MK Universe. It is possible that we could further explore Netherealm. One can never be sure.

9) Is it possible that in the future we will see comics and novels based on MK and its rich universe? Why didn’t WAM make the comics? It seemed they were going to produce them in 2005, but it didn’t happen.

Comics are great way to further tell the stories of the MK Universe. We would love to see more MK comic books created.

10) In the first render of the MK Armageddon cast (without Motaro, Meat, or Chameleon) we saw MKDA Reptile with what it seemed to be an eye, but that was not present in the final game. What was the plan for Reptile before, and why that idea was scrapped?

The earlier group render included the MKDA version on Reptile. We eventually decided to include the Reptile that appeared in MK:Shaolin Monks. That newer interpretation became the primary version and the older MKDA version became Reptiles alternate version. What appeared as an eye on his chest was simply how the scales were rendered. It was never intended to be an eye.

11) MK Deception’s intro took place after finishing Konquest Mode with Shujinko. Is the Armageddon’s intro happening while Taven confronts Daegon, is it just a non-canon spectacular sequence, or is it the vision Delia had years ago?

During the massive intro battle, before the pyramid rises, Taven is confronting Daegon. That massive battle in the bottom of the crater is the vision Delia had.

12) We are interested to know the status of the next MK movie. Little is known about it: it will reinvent the saga ala “Batman Begins” and supposedly the MK Team is involved in the script (as it should be in our opinion). Is the script based on the current MK mythology, or will it be based on MK8 to make it coincide with the release of the next fighting game? From an advertising perspective, this can potentially greatly augment sales and serve to truly reinvigorate the franchise!

The MK Team is definitely involved it the creation of the next MK movie script. We really don’t want to disclose too much about the story at this point of its development.