NetherRealm creative director says its next game will break the Mortal Kombat to Injustice cycle

Ever since the release of the ninth Mortal Kombat installment back in 2011, NetherRealm Studios has continued to find great success. Despite this, it seems clear that the developer chose to remain in its comfort zone for a long time now. Mortal Kombat and Injustice games have constituted the majority of NetherRealm’s total output since getting picked up by Warner Bros., and even its few games that don’t belong in those franchises have remained exclusively on mobile platforms. But now, according to NetherRealm Studios Creative Director Ed Boon, the developer’s next game will break the usual pattern of Mortal Kombat to Injustice releases.

Speaking to Game Informer, Boon has refrained from sharing information about what this new game will be, as he stated that he will “get in a lot of trouble” if he says too much. But he ensured that the team has a reason for choosing its current path, and he believes that audiences will understand more once the developer reveals the game.

We’re not telling — it’s a secret

This does not mark the first time that NetherRealm teased this upcoming project. In July of 2021, once NetherRealm put out its last piece of DLC for Mortal Kombat 11, the studio revealed that this will allow it to focus entirely on its next game. In December of that same year, Boon noted that unnamed “variables” prevent NetherRealm from discussing anything about the project.

Despite Boon’s statements indicating an entirely different direction for his next project, there may be reason to believe that NetherRealm will put out at least one more Mortal Kombat game. News came out last month of a supposed “leak” that might tease the existence of Mortal Kombat 12, which may or may not contradict Boon’s claims. All of this remains speculative at this stage, however, so all we can do is wait for more information.