After a relatively short build up, NetherRealm Studios held yet another episode of their highly popular Kombat Kast this morning.
Subtitled “Black Friday,” their seventh live stream saw the confirmation of a new kombatant, as well as the first gameplay footage of two returning favourites.
Audio directors Rich Carle and Dan Forden kicked off the live stream, joining regular hosts Tyler Landsdown and Derek Kirtzic to discuss some of the processes behind the creation of Mortal Kombat X’s music and sound effects. The duo go into great detail, discussing their desire to increase the title’s dynamic range and enhance the overall fighting experience. Dan also confirms that both fruit and vegetables were harmed in the making of Mortal Kombat X.
Erron Black, who first made his appearance in the Mortal Kombat X comic books some time ago, was the first kombatant shown off by both Paulo Garcia and John Edwards. His variations include Marksman (which allows him the use of a back-mounted rifle), Outlaw (which equips him with a Tarkatan Arm blade) and Gunslinger (which allows him to make extended use of his dual revolvers).
Erron Black’s Fatality sees him shoot a hole in his opponent’s chest, in which he throws a sand-filled orb. He then proceeds to shoot it, causing copious amounts of sand to painfully burst out of his opponent’s mouth, eyes and ears.
Next up was former Mortal Kombat champion Liu Kang, whose will has been bent to serve the Netherrealm. His variations include Dragon’s Fire (which gives him empowered Dragon Fireballs and his signature Flying Kick), Flame Fist (which allows him to use a new Dragon Parry and enhance his block damage) and Dualist (which allows him to switch between light and dark forms that can either heal or harm). His Fatality was not shown.
In winding up, the fallen Elder God Shinnok was shown off, who last featured as a playable kombatant in Mortal Kombat: Armageddon. His variations include Impostor (which allows him to steal his opponent’s attacks), Bone Shaper (which allows him to summon a Bone Sceptre) and Necromancer (which allows him to summon his signature skeletal hands). Like Liu Kang, his Fatality was not shown.
Kombatants aside, the foursome moved on to discuss the title’s Faction War dynamic. By simply playing Mortal Kombat X, players from around the globe can participate in a persistent online battle, contributing points to their chosen faction. At the end of each “Faction War,” each member of the winning faction will earn rewards that are yet to be revealed. The five available factions include Special Forces, Black Dragon, Brotherhood of Shadow, Lin Kuei and White Lotus. Who will you join?
Mortal Kombat X will be available for PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC when it launches on April 14, 2015. In addition, it will be available for both iOS and Android devices in April.
