Ed Boon, the co-creator of the iconic Mortal Kombat series, teases that NetherRealm Studio's next project is skipping its usual release cycle for a very good reason.

Speaking to Game Informer, Boon stated that while he still can't discuss the developer's latest project, a longer production period is necessary. "I can say that for 10 years, we were releasing Mortal Kombat and Injustice, Mortal Kombat and Injustice," said Boon. "When we broke that pattern, there was a lot of speculation of what we would be doing next. I can tell you there was a reason for it, and when we announce our next game, it’ll make a lot more sense. At this point, I’ll get in a lot of trouble if I say anything more."

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There's currently no word on what NetherRealm Studios is working on. As noted by Boon, the lack of an official announcement for Injustice 3, a project many fans were expecting to be revealed in 2021, has left gamers with plenty of questions. While the DC Comics fighting game was included in the substantial Nvidia GeForce Now leak, many reputable insiders have stated that players should instead be on the lookout for a new Mortal Kombat.

Starting life out in 1992, Mortal Kombat quickly became a household name due to its hyper-violent finishing moves. A traditional 2D fighting game, skilled players could execute their opponents with visceral "Fatalities," which proved so extreme at the time that the United States government created the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) in response. Using this notoriety to its advantage, the franchise's popularity skyrocketed, cementing it as one of the most iconic video game series of all time. Beyond just under a dozen mainline entries, the fighting game has spawned multiple spin-off titles, an animated series and several live-action films.

Related: Is Mortal Kombat 12 the Next Ultimate MK Trilogy?

The latest entry, Mortal Kombat 11, launched in 2019 to stellar reviews from fans and critics alike. Beyond the diverse roster of characters accommodating different playstyles, many loved the campaign which explored the entire history of NetherRealm's campy universe. Several DLC bundles were released after the game launched, including a variety of iconic guest characters including Rambo, The Joker, Robocop, The Terminator and Spawn.

Mortal Kombat 11 is now available on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PC.

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Source: Game Informer