Title: Jean-Claude Van Damme Makes Virtual Debut in ‘Mortal Kombat 1’ as Johnny Cage Skin
Date: [Insert Date]
The highly anticipated first footage of ‘Mortal Kombat 1’ has revealed a surprise treat for fans of both the legendary fighting game franchise and action movie star, Jean-Claude Van Damme. In an exclusive interview with Ed Boon, co-creator of the ‘Mortal Kombat’ series, Van Damme’s appearance as a special alternative skin for the character Johnny Cage was unveiled.
The footage, which made its debut on the popular show First We Feast’s Hot Ones, showcased Van Damme’s character skin that accurately represents his iconic look from the early ’90s when the first ‘Mortal Kombat’ game was released. This exciting revelation has sent shockwaves through the gaming community and fans of Van Damme alike.
During the interview, Ed Boon expressed his excitement for finally including Van Damme’s likeness in the game, stating that it was a dream come true after nearly three decades of trying to collaborate with the action star. Boon revealed their initial intention for the first ‘Mortal Kombat’ game was to create what they referred to as “Van Damme: The Arcade Game.”
Boon reminisced, stating, “We actually wanted to see the words ‘Van Damme.’ Bloodsport was big, and so was Universal Soldier, I think. So, we called his people, and we were like, ‘we want to make a game based on Van Damme,’ and I don’t know if he declined or just never got to him or something like that.”
However, after numerous attempts to secure Van Damme’s involvement, fate finally smiled upon the development team. Boon revealed, “This time, we hit the lottery, and we got him. We actually have his voice, and he’s going to be the Johnny Cage character, and it’s the absolute full circle moment that we had.”
The upcoming game, ‘Mortal Kombat 1’, developed by NetherRealm Studios and published by Warner Bros. Games, is set to be released on September 19, 2023. It will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam and Epic Games Store.
For fans eager to secure their copy, pre-orders for the game are now open. Those who pre-order will gain access to the dexterous sorcerer Shang Tsung as a playable character. Additionally, players who opt for the Premium Edition will enjoy five days of early access, along with the exclusive Van Damme DLC, early access to future DLC characters, and 1250 Dragon Krystals.
Following the game’s launch, six more characters will be introduced as DLC, including Quan Chi, Omni Man, Ermac, Takeda, Peacemaker, and Homelander. The addition of these characters is sure to keep players engaged long after the initial release.
As anticipation builds for ‘Mortal Kombat 1’, fans of the franchise and Jean-Claude Van Damme can look forward to an electrifying gaming experience that pays homage to the iconic action star. Stay tuned for more thrilling updates as the release date approaches.