Embracing a New Era: Mortal Kombat 1 Charts a Course for the Future

Mortal Kombat 1 has settled into a fresh chapter, aligning itself with the narrative reset introduced in Mortal Kombat 11. Players find themselves immersed in Liu Kang's reborn universe, where new character relationships and innovative features like Kameo Fighters and the Invasions mode redefine the essence of this best-selling fighting game franchise.

While the ongoing release of Kombat Pack 1 fighters and Invasions seasons continues to unfold, speculation, leaks, and teasers regarding Mortal Kombat 1's future have already surfaced. Series director Ed Boon has confirmed the development of a story expansion akin to Mortal Kombat 11 Aftermath for MK1. With an extended post-launch support plan in place, the anticipation of additional Kombat Packs is imminent. Despite conflicting leaks and datamines related to Kombat Pack 2, a particular guest character has captured the attention of fans, raising questions about their potential inclusion in Mortal Kombat 1's roster.

Doomslayer Emerges as a Potential Guest for Mortal Kombat 1

Amidst leaks before Mortal Kombat 1's release, there were indications that the Doomslayer from modern DOOM titles might become a playable character. However, post-launch datamines have cast doubt on this possibility, emphasizing the need for cautious consideration of such leaks. Past experiences, such as Evil Dead's Ash Williams being datamined for Mortal Kombat 11 without materializing, underscore the uncertainty surrounding MK1 leaks. While Doomslayer's inclusion remains uncertain, his potential arrival in any Kombat Pack would undoubtedly excite fans.

Diverse Characters in the Mix

The speculated roster for a potential Kombat Pack 2 includes characters like Noob Saibot, Kano, Sareena, Harley Quinn (Guest), Deathstroke (Guest), Doomslayer (Guest), Bo' Rai Cho (Kameo), Drahmin (Kameo), Hsu Hao (Kameo), Moloch (Kameo), and Rain (Kameo). If Doomslayer were to join the lineup, his inclusion would mark a significant moment for Mortal Kombat, aligning with the franchise's tradition of incorporating iconic guest characters.

Challenges in Bringing Doomslayer to Mortal Kombat 1

While the pairing of Mortal Kombat 1 and Doomslayer seems harmonious, logistical challenges may hinder the realization of this collaboration. A key obstacle lies in Doomslayer being a first-party Microsoft character following Microsoft's acquisition of Bethesda in 2021. This potentially restricts Doomslayer's appearance to Xbox Series and PC platforms, echoing the exclusivity of Mortal Kombat 9's Kratos on Sony platforms. Whether NetherRealm Studios and Warner Bros. Games are willing to navigate such exclusivity constraints remains uncertain.

Additional Concerns Impacting Doomslayer's Inclusion

Beyond exclusivity concerns, potential challenges in handling Doomslayer's character within Mortal Kombat 1 include the risk of reintroducing ranged oppression, given the character's extensive use of firearms. Additionally, Doomslayer's inclusion would break ground in introducing video game guests into the Mortal Kombat franchise, a move that could reshape the future landscape of the series. Balancing the inclusion of gaming IPs while preserving the essence of Mortal Kombat poses a delicate challenge for the developers, urging them to tread carefully to maintain the franchise's identity.