Gamescom 2023: Netherrealm Studios’ Dominic Cianciolo Discusses the Soft Reboot of Mortal Kombat Series
In an exclusive interview at Gamescom 2023, Dominic Cianciolo, the story and voiceover director at Netherrealm Studios, revealed some exciting details about the upcoming installment in the Mortal Kombat franchise. The highly anticipated game serves as a soft reboot for the series, promising a fresh take on the beloved fighting game.
During the interview, Cianciolo discussed the decision to reset the timeline in Mortal Kombat 11 and its subsequent expansion, Aftermath. He explained that while the exact nature of the reboot was not determined at the time, the team knew there would be a reboot in the cards. As they developed the story for the new game, ideas started flowing about how they could change and refresh the familiar Mortal Kombat lore.
Cianciolo expressed his excitement about the opportunity to work on a blank canvas and create a new timeline for Mortal Kombat. He explained that the reboot allowed them to implement ideas that were previously discarded and pay off certain storylines that had been left untouched. With a bigger budget and better tools, the team could now create more cinematic storytelling experiences.
Among the notable changes in the upcoming game is the identity of Scorpion. Cianciolo revealed that Scorpion and Sub-Zero are now portrayed as brothers, a concept that goes back to the early days of Mortal Kombat. This change was made to refresh the relationship between the two characters and add more drama to their interactions.
As for the future of other characters, Cianciolo remained tight-lipped, stating that spoilers were off-limits. However, he did mention that many relationships in the game have been reset, including the dynamic between Kitana and Mileena. In this iteration, Kitana and Mileena are portrayed as sisters, with Mileena taking on a position of power. This new dynamic humanizes Mileena and opens up new avenues for storytelling.
Cianciolo also teased the new relationship between the human Raiden and Kung Lao, which he described as a lot of fun to explore. While it has shades of the Liu Kang and Kung Lao relationship that fans are familiar with, it’s not exactly the same, offering fresh surprises for players.
Speaking of Liu Kang, the iconic hero of the Mortal Kombat series, Cianciolo discussed the challenges of writing a character with such a rich history. In the new game, Liu Kang possesses godly powers and is responsible for creating an entire timeline. Cianciolo expressed his fascination with exploring the character’s journey and the weight of his newfound responsibilities.
With the soft reboot of the Mortal Kombat series, Netherrealm Studios aims to deliver a compelling narrative that surprises fans while staying true to the essence of the franchise. As the release date draws nearer, anticipation for the game continues to grow, and players can’t wait to experience the fresh take on their favorite fighters.
For more details about the game and an additional conversation with director Ed Boon, make sure to check out IGN’s full coverage of Gamescom 2023.