Mortal Kombat 1 story expansion may still arrive after rumors of cancelled DLC

The Mortal Kombat 1 reboot started strongly with positive reviews and high player counts. Interest in the fighting game has waned, contributing to rumors of a cancelled DLC in December. However, developer NetherRealm may still have more plans for Mortal Kombat 1. A recent Warner Bros. Discovery job posting calls for a Senior Animator to contribute to a story mode campaign.

NeatherRealm has focused on the Mortal Kombat series since 2011, so the job listing is most likely related to the franchise. Also, with only two ads, the work almost certainly involves a Mortal Kombat 1 DLC rather than a new game. The Senior Animator position entails motion capturing and creating convincing character animations.

The developer hasn't completely stopped releasing new updates for Mortal Kombat 1. A significant April patch addressed some gameplay imbalances and improved support for DLSS and FSR 3. Earlier patches added popular fighters, like Conan the Barbarian and T-1000. Yet, the game's narrative has been static since the disappointing September 2024 Khaos Reigns DLC.

The majority of players mocked the Khaos Reigns price tag when it launched at $49.99. While some favorite fighters returned, the content disappointed owners with its short and uninteresting narrative. That may have led NetherRealm to cancel further planned DLC and concentrate on developing a more robust expansion.

Facing financial strife, Warner Bros. Games can't afford more missteps. The publisher also reportedly decided to axe a Hogwarts Legacy DLC despite strong sales of the RPG. Still, it seems focused on its most successful franchises, which include Mortal Kombat. Whether a major expansion or a new game surfaces, the fighting franchise continues to evolve.