NetherRealm is concluding the availability of the complimentary mobile game Mortal Kombat: Onslaught

NetherRealm Studios, the esteemed developer renowned for its gripping fighting games, has recently taken a significant step by announcing the discontinuation of its free-to-play mobile offering, Mortal Kombat: Onslaught. 

This decision seems to be a strategic redirection by the studio as it comes on the heels of surprising news that had permeated the gaming community, involving NetherRealm's management choosing to dismiss the entirety of its dedicated mobile division. This unexpected move follows observations and speculation from insiders and fans alike about the company's future in mobile gaming, resulting in widespread discussion regarding the potential re-focusing of NetherRealm's resources and priorities. 

The termination of Mortal Kombat: Onslaught, a game that promised to extend the Mortal Kombat universe onto mobile platforms, marks a point of conclusion for the studio's present mobile aspirations, signaling a pivot that might trigger the redistribution of talent and attention to other projects within the larger framework of the company's ambitious gaming portfolio.
Mortal Kombat: Onslaught, a free-to-play mobile title that allowed players to collect various characters from the popular fighting game series, was unveiled in October 2022 and launched almost exactly one year thereafter. It offered a narrative exclusive to the mobile platform and enabled "massive real-time team clashes" for up to ten individuals participating simultaneously.

Nine months following its debut, Onslaught's ending has been confirmed. NetherRealm made the announcement on Twitter/X, stating, "We regret to announce that Mortal Kombat: Onslaught will cease operations in October. Crafting this game for our Community has been a privilege, and we're grateful for the support from our fans." The game will be removed from iOS and Android marketplaces as of 22nd July, with the termination of in-app sales set for 23rd August. Players will still have access to the game until 21st October of this year.

The impending conclusion of Mortal Kombat: Onslaught follows the recent allegations by staff at NetherRealm last week concerning the termination of the company's mobile sector. At the time, it was highlighted that the team was managing live service aspects for three titles - Mortal Kombat Mobile, Injustice 2, and Mortal Kombat: Onslaught. While NetherRealm has not yet issued a statement regarding the job eliminations, it did move to reassure Mortal Kombat Mobile players that the game would "persist in its operations and receive full support."

These job eliminations came on the heels of parent organization Warner Bros. Discovery's disclosure in February that it was preparing for a "challenging year" following admissions that Suicide Squad's sales did not align with projections. These cuts seem to be part of more significant layoffs across the company, yet the decision to dismiss NetherRealm's mobile division is slightly unexpected considering Warner Bros' declaration in March that it intended to pivot its strategies toward mobile, free offerings, and live-service games as a countermeasure to what it referred to as the "unpredictable" AAA market segment.