How Mortal Kombat’s naming conventions may evolve, inspired by The Last of Us, and what this means for the series’ future.
The Numbering Dilemma: Why Mortal Kombat 13 Is Off the Table
Series co-creator Ed Boon has indicated that upcoming installments in the Mortal Kombat franchise could draw creative cues from the titling approach used by The Last of Us.
Ed Boon, the visionary co-creator of the series, has publicly contemplated adopting a naming convention similar to The Last of Us for subsequent Mortal Kombat releases.
For an extended period leading up to the announcement, the fanbase was largely anticipating the next game to be titled Mortal Kombat 12. This expectation was upended when NetherRealm Studios revealed they were initiating a fresh start, naming the upcoming game Mortal Kombat 1.
This decision immediately sparked speculation regarding the nomenclature for a hypothetical 13th core series entry. Would the development team emulate the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare strategy of reusing a legacy title, or would they pioneer an entirely novel approach?
A practical tip for fans analyzing such statements: pay close attention to what developers rule out. Boon’s explicit dismissal of ‘Mortal Kombat 13’ is a significant data point, narrowing the field of possibilities and indicating a conscious move away from high, unwieldy numbers that can deter newcomers.
Ed Boon’s Vision: The “Part” System as a Solution
Recent remarks from Boon strongly suggest that he and the NetherRealm team have already devised a compelling strategy for navigating this titling challenge.
During a conversation with GamesRadar, Boon directly tackled the potential issue of numerical title exhaustion for the MK franchise. He confirmed that Mortal Kombat 13 is not being considered, while expressing a personal preference for the title Mortal Kombat 2.
The naming framework established by The Last of Us—with its Part II and the subsequent retroactive labeling of Part I—presents a viable model for future Mortal Kombat chapters. Boon explained to the outlet,
“Should we develop another game within this current Mortal Kombat storyline, my inclination would be to name it Mortal Kombat 2. We have the option to use Part 1 or Part 2, similar to The Last of Us. One thing is certain: we will not title it Mortal Kombat 13.”
A common mistake in fan speculation is assuming naming decisions are made in isolation. In reality, they are deeply tied to narrative direction. The shift to ‘MK1’ signifies a new timeline or “reality,” as shown in recent trailers, which logically allows future games to be sequels to *this* story (MK2), not the previous continuum.
Strategic Implications for Franchise Longevity
We are likely multiple years away from any serious discussion about the name of the next Mortal Kombat game becoming relevant.
Presently, the gaming community’s attention is firmly fixed on Mortal Kombat 1. This installment is not a direct sequel to Mortal Kombat 11 but instead features Liu Kang ascending to the position of Fire God and crafting a new universe. NetherRealm Studios recently previewed this fresh timeline in a gameplay trailer debuted during Summer Game Fest.
From a franchise management perspective, moving to a “Part” or simple numerical system (like MK2) offers clear advantages. It mitigates the intimidation factor for new players who see ‘Mortal Kombat 13’ and assume a decade of backstory is required. It also provides cleaner branding, allowing marketing to focus on the game’s new features rather than explaining its place in a complex chronology. This is a strategic lesson other long-running series can learn from.
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Practical Guide: What Fans Should Expect Next
Mortal Kombat 1 is scheduled for release on September 19 for Nintendo Switch, PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S.
For advanced players and lore enthusiasts, the optimization tip is to view ‘Mortal Kombat 1’ not just as a game, but as the foundation of a new saga. Investing time in understanding its new timeline, character origins, and Liu Kang’s role as Fire God will likely provide essential context for whatever ‘Mortal Kombat 2’ or ‘Part II’ eventually becomes. The developer commentary strongly suggests that future stories will build directly from this reset point.
Looking ahead, fans should expect a multi-year support cycle for MK1 with DLC and updates, following NetherRealm’s established pattern. Serious discussion about a sequel’s title or premise is unlikely to begin until post-launch support winds down, making this a long-term strategic vision rather than an imminent announcement.
No reproduction without permission：SeeYouSoon Game Club » Future Mortal Kombat titles may be modeled after TLoU’s naming convention How Mortal Kombat's naming conventions may evolve, inspired by The Last of Us, and what this means for the series' future.