Despite the ongoing popularity and support for the Mortal Kombat franchise, are NetherRealm studios set to suffer because of their lack of monetisation after release? If the latest rumours are to be believed, NetherRealm could have a new home soon.
Here's the latest on what everyone thinks NetherRealm is going to be moving onto next. As you can imagine, they're keeping a few secrets at the moment.
LATEST - NetherRealm Studios Up For Sale?
According to industry leaker @JezCorden, Warner Bros could be prepared to offload NetherRealm due to issues with profitability.
Despite the popularity for the Mortal Kombat series, they are not titles that make a sustained profit post release. Yes, DLC is released and usually brings in some income from the hardcore fanbase, but it's not a heavily monetised title in general.
This could lead to Warner Bros selling off NetherRealm to a different suiter so that the studio can continue to work on their projects unhindered and without compromise.
WB were said to be fielding offers for all of their gaming studios not too long back before reportedly being content keeping their portfolio as is.
Marvel Fighting Game Rumours
As soon as NetherRealm announced Injustice: Gods Among Us, Marvel fans wanted their favourite characters to get the same gritty treatment. Marvel vs Capcom games are fine, but they don't quite match up to Mortal Kombat and Injustice titles.
The difference in quality between Marvel vs Capcom Infinite and Mortal Kombat 11 speaks for itself. They're different stylistically, sure, but Mortal Kombat 11 does everything right. If NetherRealm announced a Marvel-based fighting game, it would break a certain part of the internet. That much is certain.
Of course, these rumours have been around for a while and they're not going anywhere... However, has Ed Boon actually hinted that there might be some truth behind them? It's a stretch, but semi-recently he tweeted the following:
Of course, this could just be Boon commenting on the situation after the backlash James Gunn faced for working on Suicide Squad and Peacemaker after his now-nullified "sacking" from Marvel. However, Ed Boon has been in the business long enough now that he knows this would stoke A LOT of rumours. It could be him playing a bit of a joke, but it also could be an important teaser of what's to come.
Only time will tell and we might not hear anything for a little while yet...
Injustice 3 Next For NetherRealm?
Anyone who's followed the history of NetherRealm will be expecting the next instalment in the Injustice franchise. NetherRealm's popular hero vs villain DC fighting game has received two titles already with Injustice 2 the most recent in 2017.
While the Injustice games have been wildly popular, NetherRealm could be set to work on something new instead. There have long been rumours that NetherRealm could be working on a Marvel fighting game, or even a DC vs Marvel crossover.
Unfortunately, no such acquisition has ever received substantial evidence suggesting it could happen. We're sure Ed Boon will be active on Twitter once the project is close to being revealed to tease his loyal fanbase.
More Of The Same, Or Something New?
Many will point out how much sense it make for NetherRealm to move over to produce a Marvel fighting game. It could easily be made in the same vein as Injustice, but just because it makes sense, doesn't mean it's going to happen.
A completely new IP form NetherRealm would be even more interesting to see realised. Why not create something brand new, taking the brand support you have from MK and Injustice to bring life a whole new universe.
Only time will tell what NetherRealm has up their sleeve. It's likely that the project in well under development as their resources will have switched to the new project after MK 11's initial release. We can't wait to see what's next.
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