Mortal Kombat 1 has now surpassed 5 million copies sold since its release in September 2023, according to series co-creator and NetherRealm creative director Ed Boon. The milestone comes just months after the game was reported to have sold around 3 million copies, showing continued momentum for the long-running fighting franchise.
Despite speculation that support for MK1 might wind down soon, Boon’s recent comments suggest otherwise. In a social media post, he confirmed the studio is “still trucking forward” with new “Kontent,” implying more updates are in the pipeline.
Fan Support Keeps the Fight Going
Boon thanked fans for keeping the game alive on platforms like PlayStation 5, where Mortal Kombat 1 remains among the top 15 most-played titles. The sales milestone offers insight into the game’s ongoing commercial success—something that’s increasingly important for Warner Bros. Games and its parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery.
Recent rumors hinted that the game’s current DLC roadmap might be the final stretch of content, but the studio has not made any official announcements about post-launch plans beyond its latest character additions and story updates.
Conan the Barbarian Joins the Roster
Mortal Kombat 1 recently introduced its 11th downloadable character—Conan the Barbarian—continuing a trend of bringing in high-profile guest fighters. This follows the release of the Khaos Reigns story expansion, which dropped late last year and added more depth to the rebooted MK universe.
If NetherRealm follows the model used in Mortal Kombat 11, players may see additional content beyond the initial roadmap. MK11 launched with three DLC packs and a post-launch story campaign, all of which extended the game’s lifecycle significantly. A similar structure could be used for MK1.
A Key Franchise for Warner Bros. Games
Mortal Kombat 1 has been one of the few standout successes for Warner Bros. Discovery in the past year, alongside Hogwarts Legacy. Company leadership highlighted both titles as top performers, especially compared to the disappointing commercial results of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League.
In a November 2024 earnings call, Warner Bros. executives made it clear that their gaming division will prioritize franchises like Mortal Kombat, Harry Potter, Game of Thrones, and DC Comics going forward.
What’s Next for NetherRealm?
While Boon’s latest comments confirm that new content is still coming to Mortal Kombat 1, questions remain about the studio’s next major project. Will NetherRealm begin work on a direct sequel or return to its Injustice series? Nothing has been officially confirmed yet.
It’s worth noting that NetherRealm recently laid off staff and shut down Mortal Kombat: Onslaught, a mobile spin-off. However, interest in the brand remains strong, and a new Mortal Kombat movie is set to release in October 2025, which could align with additional in-game promotions or expansions.
