NetherRealm is working on a new AAA game with story mode

Key findings

The future of NetherRealm is uncertain, but two new job postings may provide clues as to the direction the studio might take.
According to the postings, NetherRealm is developing a AAA game that could run on Unreal Engine 4 or 5.
Additionally, it will have a story mode campaign and be a fighting game.

While we know that NetherRealm is hard at work on the upcoming Mortal Kombat 1 expansion titled “Khaos Reigns,” which will include several new fighters, new story content, as well as the return of the Animalities, it is unclear what the future holds for the fighting game studio.

However, two new job postings could reveal exactly which direction NetherRealm could develop in. Tip: There will be a story mode.

The job details tell the whole truth

As first spotted on gaming forum website eXputer, two new job postings have appeared at Warner Bros. Discovery, the parent company of NetherRealm and Warner Bros. Games.

The first position is for an Associate Producer at NetherRealm. The job posting states: “This position is for an Associate Producer who will be part of the day-to-day production team on a AAA title that NetherRealm Studios is working on.”

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The second and more meaningful position is that of Senior Cinematic Animator. Whoever is hired will be part of a team “creating consistent, high-quality cinematic animations for our Story Mode campaign.”

The job posting states: “We are looking for someone with a strong understanding of the principles of character movement and the 3D animation pipeline who can work with external partners to deliver a high-quality and exciting experience to our players.” In addition, “experience with martial arts/fighting games” and “familiarity with Unreal Engine 4/5” are also listed as qualifications.

From these posts, it’s clear that it will be a new fighting game that could potentially run on Unreal Engine 5. Currently, Mortal Kombat 1 runs on Unreal 4. And it will have a robust story mode, something NetherRealm has put a lot of emphasis on.

What isn’t known, however, is what IP the fighting game will receive. Injustice is ripe for a sequel and hasn’t released a game since 2017. However, Warner Bros. is full of many properties and considering how Mortal Kombat has created guest characters, particularly horror figures and movie icons, as DLC, a full-fledged crossover may be in the works.

Whatever the case, it will be interesting to see how things pan out in the coming months. Fighting games are undoubtedly enjoying a second lease of life and NetherRealm is among the best at making the genre shine.