In a recent interview, Ed Boon, co-creator of the Mortal Kombat series and Creative Director at NetherRealm Studios, shed light on the studio's future projects and development strategies. Boon emphasized that the team has long-term plans in place, stating, "It's not like when we finish a game, we go 'What are we going to do next?' we decided what we were going to do a long time ago." While he refrained from revealing specifics about upcoming titles, Boon mentioned that they are currently "planting seeds for the next game" while continuing to support Mortal Kombat 1 with additional content.
Reflecting on development timelines, Boon noted that earlier Mortal Kombat games typically had development cycles of two years or less. However, Mortal Kombat 1 required a four-year development period due to factors like engine changes and the COVID-19 pandemic. He expressed that the goal isn't to have such extended development times for every game moving forward.
Discussing the evolution of the development team, Boon highlighted that the original Mortal Kombat, released in 1992, was created by a team of four over eight months with a budget under one million dollars. As the series progressed, team sizes increased, reaching approximately 90 staff members by the time they joined Warner Bros., and now involving hundreds for recent titles.
Addressing concerns about franchise fatigue, Boon acknowledged that there were periods when games were released too frequently, leading to overexposure. He cited instances where three games were released in three years, which he felt was excessive. This realization led to strategic pauses, allowing anticipation to build among fans.
In terms of future projects, while NetherRealm Studios has not officially announced their next game, job listings suggest that a new AAA title may be in development. Positions such as Associate Producer and Senior Animator have been advertised, indicating early production stages for an upcoming project.
Overall, NetherRealm Studios appears committed to thoughtful planning and innovation, ensuring that each new release offers unique experiences for players while maintaining the legacy of their iconic franchises.
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