Developer NetherRealm Shuts Down Mortal Kombat: Onslaught Mobile Game
NetherRealm, the developer behind the popular Mortal Kombat franchise, has announced the closure of its free-to-play mobile game, Mortal Kombat: Onslaught. This decision comes shortly after reports emerged that the entire mobile team at NetherRealm had been laid off.
Mortal Kombat: Onslaught, which was released in October 2022, allowed players to collect characters from the fighting series and engage in real-time group battles. The game had garnered a dedicated fan base over the past year.
In an official statement on Twitter/X, NetherRealm expressed their regret over the closure of Mortal Kombat: Onslaught, stating, “We are sorry to inform you that Mortal Kombat: Onslaught will close its operations in October. It has been an honour creating this game for our Kommunity, and we appreciate the enthusiasm from our fans.”
The game will be removed from the iOS and Android app stores on 22nd July, with in-app purchases still available until 23rd August. Players will have until 21st October to enjoy Mortal Kombat: Onslaught before it is shut down for good.
The decision to shut down Mortal Kombat: Onslaught follows recent layoffs within NetherRealm’s mobile division. Despite the studio’s silence on the matter, it was revealed that the team was responsible for managing live service operations for popular games like Mortal Kombat Mobile, Injustice 2, and Mortal Kombat: Onslaught.
These layoffs are part of broader restructuring efforts within parent company Warner Bros. Discovery, which had previously acknowledged challenges in the gaming market. While Warner Bros. had announced a shift towards mobile, free-to-play, and live-service games earlier this year, the decision to disband NetherRealm’s mobile team has raised eyebrows in the industry.