Mortal Kombat is one of the longest, most successful series of fighting games. With its crushing combos, characters, and brutal fatalities, the game has become integral in the gaming scene. Recently, NetherRealm Studios unveiled a Halloween-themed fatality for the game. A concept that should excite players, has instead drawn massive criticism due to its price tag.
Here’s a look at the Halloween DLC fatality in Mortal Kombat 1, which costs about $10: pic.twitter.com/VzXtX2D5AK
— IGN (@IGN) October 28, 2023
While DLCs have been common in the gaming industry, the cost of this particular add-on has shocked the community. NetherRealm Studios plans to charge $10 for just one new fatality—no additional characters or costumes included. To put that in context, Mortal Kombat 1’s Kombat Pack, which contained multiple characters, was priced at $19.99.
The community’s reaction ranges from outrage to genuine concern for the franchise’s future. Are the developers testing the waters for even more aggressive monetization, or is this a one-time misstep? Today we delve into the uproar surrounding Mortal Kombat 1’s controversial Halloween Fatality DLC.
Gaming community reacts to $10 fatality in Mortal Kombat 1
Mortal Kombat’s faithful following has expressed its displeasure loudly and clearly across various social media platforms. Fans argue that the $10 price tag is steep for a single fatality, especially considering the game costs $70 for the standard edition. Meanwhile, competitive players are questioning NetherRealm Studios’ commitment to the professional scene.
Redditors and Twitter users have called this monetization strategy “absurd” and “scummy,” advocating for a community-wide boycott. These online discussions reflect a collective disbelief at such pricing. Yet, it’s not just the casual players who are raising concerns; professionals are also questioning NetherRealm’s long-term vision for the Mortal Kombat community.
Tf you have to pay for a fatality? Fatalities is what made Mortal kombat… what happened to when they used to include fatalities, Animality’s, stage fatalities. What a joke.
— XDiablo666X (@aabdelhaq2) October 28, 2023
NetherRealm Studios has yet to respond to the backlash, but their reputation for being receptive to feedback provides a little hope. While the community waits, some speculate that this could be a tipping point, pushing to revise their DLC pricing strategy. In a game series that has traditionally had short lifespans, any form of monetization that alienates players could be deadly.
Moreover, Warner Bros. Games has confirmed plans for more seasonal fatalities, further raising concerns about the future of the franchise. As one social media user aptly put it, “Are we living in Shang Tsung’s timeline?”
In summary, the Mortal Kombat 1 community is in uproar, unanimously opposing the steep pricing of a single fatality. Whether this backlash prompts NetherRealm Studios to reevaluate their DLC pricing remains to be seen. Many are now wondering if this situation is going to decide the future of the game and if that decision might be its greatest downfall.
