Mortal Kombat 1 has been making waves in gaming news lately with the recent SDCC 2023 trailer announcement of the Kombat Pack 1 DLC. This upcoming add-on content, will include six characters: Omni-Man from Invincible, Homelander from The Boys, Peacemaker from the DC Universe, as well as classic MK fighters, Ermac, Takeda, and Quan-Chi. Although fans have been questioning the reasoning behind the selection of the first three comic book fighters, Ed Boon, the game’s Creative Director and team leader, has explained a few of these decisions.
In an interview with IGN, NetherRealm Studios leaders: Ed Boon, Dominic Cianciolo, Thiago Gomes, Yuri Lowenthal, and Kelly Hu, took on some of the hard-hitting questions. As key figures who brought Mortal Kombat 1 to life, they were the perfect team to answer the call.
While characters like Homelander, Peacemaker, and Omni-Man have further entered the pop culture arena in recent years, this is not a good enough explanation for fans. Gamers have been asking why characters such as Omni-Man and Homelander would be introduced at the same time, in the same Kombat Pack, when they have very similar powers. They both have the abilities of flight, super strength, super speed, and durability. The two are also seen as heroes in their universes, while in actuality they maintain evil and narcissistic personalities. So, the primary question has been: why would NetherRealm Studios choose to put two very similar antagonists in the same game at the same time?
What Ed Boon And His Colleagues Said About Omni-Man, Homelander, and Peacemaker As Kombat Pack Fighters
The first question, which gets to the heart of why these characters were chosen, is answered by Boon. Upon being asked about the theme of the Kombat Pack DLC, he said:
“Well, obviously it’s R rated or M rated heroes and villains more from the comic book genre. Again, Peacemaker, Homelander, Omni-Man, they’re all in this hyper and violent category of guests. And that’s the theme there along with the Mortal Kombat characters of Takeda and Quan Chi. And…Ermac. If you think of the Omni-Man and the Homelander, that’s the kind of category that is our guest characters.”
As the interview continued, Boon explained one of the reasons behind selecting both Omni-Man and Homelander was to allow fans to play out who would win in such an epic battle. He stated:
“I think a lot of people just seeing Homelander and Omni-Man in the same frame will be just, again, one of those classic who would win in a fight kind of scenarios that players will be able to see the result of.”
SEE ALSO: Baraka, Tanya and Long Forgotten Character Announced for Mortal Kombat 1 at SDCC Panel
It’s clear from the interview that Boon and his team want to bring fans of the Mortal Kombat franchise a full experience. There is a method to their Kombat Pack collection, with a focus on hyper-violence, and comic book roots.
It has already been announced, to the great pleasure of fans, that J.K. Simmons will be reprising his role as Omni-Man for the game. Although Homelander and Peacemaker are to be determined, Antony Starr recently did voice work for Modern Warfare II. This has made gamers hopeful he will also do the voice work for Mortal Kombat 1.
Mortal Kombat 1 and Kombat Pack 1 will release on September 19, 2023 on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S.
Are you excited for the comic book characters coming to Mortal Kombat 1 in the upcoming Kombat Pack? Leave a comment and let us know which characters you are the most excited to try.
Source: IGN
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