mortal kombat mobile shuts down; netherrealm hit by layoffs

Mortal Kombat developer NetherRealm Studios faces significant layoffs, resulting in the shutdown of its entire mobile games team. This decision will affect several popular titles, including Mortal Kombat Mobile, Injustice 2 Mobile, and Mortal Kombat: Onslaught. The game Mortal Kombat: Onslaught, which launched just a year ago, will close its operations by October 2024. Despite these cuts, Mortal Kombat Mobile continues to receive updates, introducing new characters like Spawn as part of its summer update.

NetherRealm’s layoffs come amid a challenging period for the gaming industry, with major companies like Microsoft and Sony also announcing substantial layoffs. NetherRealm had been preparing to reveal new updates for Mortal Kombat 1, showcasing the volatility and pressures within the gaming sector.

Mortal Kombat: Onslaught is shutting down as part of significant layoffs at developer NetherRealm Studios, which has decided to close its entire mobile games team. Despite positive feedback, the team behind the game will cease operations, likely due to financial and strategic restructuring within the company.

Mortal Kombat: Onslaught, a free-to-play mobile-exclusive game, combines party-based combat with a rich storyline centered around Shinnok’s destructive ambitions. Players take control of iconic characters such as Liu Kang, Kung Lao, and Sub-Zero, battling classic villains like Shang Tsung and Shao Kahn. The game showcases the franchise's signature combat mechanics adapted for mobile devices, offering a fresh take on the Mortal Kombat experience.