Intro
As speculation swirls around “Injustice 3,” fans eagerly await news on the continuation of NetherRealm Studios’ beloved superhero fighting series, pondering its evolution and potential to dazzle anew.
Key Takeaways
- Anticipation Builds: Despite no official announcement, the gaming community’s eagerness for “Injustice 3” continues to grow, fueled by the success of its predecessors.
- Potential Development: Indications suggest NetherRealm may still be planning “Injustice 3,” with Ed Boon’s cryptic teases keeping hopes alive.
- Commercial Success: The previous success of “Injustice” titles supports the likelihood of a third installment, despite the recent focus on “Mortal Kombat.”
- Fan Expectations: The community’s desire for innovative gameplay, advanced graphics (potentially utilizing Unreal Engine 5), and an expanded roster of DC characters highlights the high expectations for “Injustice 3.”
Get Over Here, Oh Wait, Wrong Game
The recent launch of “Mortal Kombat 1,” rebooting the iconic 90s brawler series, has sent waves of excitement across the gaming world. Gamers have eagerly embraced this new chapter, diving headfirst back into the brutal and enthralling universe of Mortal Kombat. But while many celebrate the return of this classic franchise, there’s a significant portion of the gaming community left hanging in anticipation – those waiting for news on “Injustice 3.”
For years, NetherRealm Studios has established a rhythm, alternating releases between Mortal Kombat and Injustice titles. This pattern, consistent for over a decade, had fans expecting the announcement of “Injustice 3” following “Mortal Kombat 11.” However, with the arrival of “Mortal Kombat 1,” it seems this cycle has been disrupted, leaving the future of “Injustice 3” in a cloud of uncertainty.
Speculation had been rife, with leaks and rumors pointing towards “Mortal Kombat 12” as NetherRealm’s next big project. Yet, the studio took a different path, surprising many with “Mortal Kombat 1.” This turn of events has led to mixed reactions – while the reboot has been a hit, the deviation from the expected sequence has left “Injustice” fans wondering about the status of their beloved franchise.
Despite the excitement surrounding back-to-back Mortal Kombat games, the eagerness for “Injustice 3” remains strong. It was, after all, seemingly its turn to shine in the fighting game arena.
Let’s delve into everything we know so far about the much-anticipated sequel to “Injustice 2,” exploring what the future may hold for this superhero-filled brawler.
Video Injustice 3 : Everything You Need To Know
Is Injustice 3 Even Happening?
NetherRealm Studios hasn’t confirmed that they are making Injustice 3, so for now the answer is a definitive no in regards to whether the game is in development. The Mortal Kombat 1 reboot may be what we’re getting now, but a sequel to the DC fighting game will inevitably happen since the series is a success for the company.
Ed Boon Frequently Trolls Fans About Injustice 3
The studio’s director, the ever-so jovial Ed Boon, intentionally teased fans on multiple occasions that the next Injustice game was on the horizon, but every time was right after a new Mortal Kombat leak popped up on the internet. Despite the light-hearted gaslighting by Ed, all that he said wasn’t untrue.
NetherRealm Studios, riding high on the monumental success of their Mortal Kombat series, seems to be strategically planning their next moves. The studio’s recent blockbuster, “Mortal Kombat 1,” has already marked a significant milestone by selling nearly 3 million units worldwide since its launch on September 19, 2023. This achievement follows the footsteps of “Mortal Kombat 11,” which itself was a juggernaut in the fighting game arena, selling a whopping 15 million copies and becoming the third highest-selling fighting game of all time.
In contrast, “Injustice 2,” while successful in its own right with around 1.75 million copies sold, hasn’t matched the staggering heights of its Mortal Kombat counterparts. This difference in commercial success could be a key reason why NetherRealm might be prioritizing Mortal Kombat over Injustice for the time being.
That said, it’s plausible that behind the scenes, NetherRealm is still brewing some creative ideas for “Injustice 3.” Considering the studio’s pattern of alternating between Mortal Kombat and Injustice releases over the last decade, fans of the superhero-fueled brawler remain hopeful.
The studio’s inclination towards Mortal Kombat right now is understandable given the series’ recent record-breaking performances.
However, the anticipation for “Injustice 3” continues to simmer among its dedicated fanbase, eagerly waiting for its turn to once again bask in the limelight.
As unfortunate as the change in dynamic is, Ed Boon has frequently interacted with the community about what characters they would like to see in a future entry, so if nothing else, consider this a sign that Injustice 3 will be made, eventually.
Have You Watched The Injustice Movie Yet?
As a matter of fact, Injustice 2 wasn’t the last time we visited the franchise. An animated film based on the events of the first game was released in 2021. But fair warning, the movie isn’t on par with the video game. The story is rushed, and the animation won’t dazzle you either, but the film does a decent enough job of bringing out the nostalgia.
DC’s upcoming slate of projects may include a sequel film that adapts the story of the second game. There’s been no official announcement per se, but it wouldn’t be surprising that before we get Injustice 3 Warner Bros. decides a sequel film is in order.
When’s Injustice 3 Releasing?
As you might’ve deduced by now, Injustice 3 does not have a release date yet. Most of us had our fingers crossed that NetherRealm’s next game would be the titular sequel, but instead, it’s the Mortal Kombat soft reboot which releases on 19 September 2023.
It’s safe to assume Covid impacted development time, and if that wasn’t the case, Mortal Kombat 1 might’ve been released in 2022, leading NetherRealm to set their sights on Injustice 3 by now. On average, NetherRealm takes 2-4 years to develop a title. And the upcoming soft reboot of Mortal Kombat marks the longest period we’ve had to wait for a new game from them.
Keeping that in mind, Injustice 3 should hit shelves worldwide by Fall 2026, or at least I hope it does. If the studio makes a detour with an out of the blue original IP, though smaller in scale, expect the release date to be delayed by a year. But NetherRealm creating another AAA original IP after Mortal Kombat 1 is equally likely. They’ve been only doing Mortal Kombat and Injustice for so long now, and most studios like FromSoftware and Insomniac have a habit of expanding their works with brand-new IPs. On the off chance that comes to fruition, Injustice 3 could be pushed back by nearly half a decade, or maybe that’s just my paranoia talking.
Too Many DC Games Overshadowed Injustice 3
There are two factors that could have influenced NetherRealm’s decision to prioritize Mortal Kombat 1 over Injustice 3. Firstly, the releases of Gotham Knights and Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, both developed by Rocksteady and WB Games Montréal, which, like NetherRealm, are subsidiaries of Warner Bros. Games. It is a possibility that existing IPs owned by the company take precedence in such cases.
WB. Montréal’s Gotham Knights was based on Batman’s famed sidekicks, while Rocksteady’s Suicide Squad is a continuation of the Batman: Arkham franchise. Both are about DC superheroes, and one of them released in 2022, whereas Suicide Squad will follow suit in February 2024 after a delay of two years — well hopefully anyway.
That’s still two DC games within two years. I’m sure you’re getting an idea of where I’m going with this. Granted I stated above that NetherRealm prioritizing a Mortal Kombat soft reboot right after Mortal Kombat 11 seems unnecessary, but doing Injustice 3 wasn’t a pretty scenario either.
Three AAA DC games in 3 consecutive years would have been too much even for the greatest of fans. So what else could they do except for Mortal Kombat 1?
There’s also the Wonder Woman game in development at Monolith Productions, and possibly many more we don’t even know about yet. Injustice 3 being on hold because of that seems to be as good of a guess as any. Suicide Squad will arrive in 2024, and for Wonder Woman, a 2025 release window should be what Monolith is aiming for.
That’s a couple of more DC game projects added to the pile up till 2025, so Injustice 3 at the earliest will arrive by 2026. In any case, that’s the best estimate we’ve got at the moment. There haven’t been any leaks or rumors about a new Injustice game in forever, and with the Mortal Kombat reboot, Starfield, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, Lords of the Fallen, and other titles launching during Fall this year, everyone’s focus is diverted elsewhere.
Things We’d Like To See In Injustice 3
By the time Injustice 3 comes out, presumably a decade will have passed since the franchise’s last video game was released. Wanting a few major changes at that point is the least a person could ask for, so here are the biggest requests that come to mind.
Make It On Unreal Engine 5, Please
Not that NetherRealm games look bad, but Injustice 3 should be developed on Unreal Engine 5 (UE5). In Mortal Kombat 11, which is quite beautiful visually, the studio has used their heavily modified version of the Unreal Engine 3. That’s an amazing engine and all, but for the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series generation of consoles, it’ll be criminal to not build the sequel on UE5.
For the Mortal Kombat reboot, the studio is using the Unreal Engine 4. I suppose that when development began, the Unreal Engine 5 was not yet available.
It’s very likely that for Injustice 3, we’ll be getting the Unreal Engine 5. Which would make Injustice 3 graphically very accomplished.
Characters That Are Long Overdue
NetherRealm Studios’ DLC packs for their games are renowned for their creativity and surprise elements. From iconic appearances like the Terminator, Hellboy, Joker, and Sub-Zero, these DLCs have always added a thrilling twist to the gameplay. The potential for “Injustice 3” seems even more exciting, especially with the possibility of a Hogwarts crossover. Considering the popularity of “Hogwarts: Legacy” and Warner Bros.’ ownership of the IP, this would be a perfect blend of magic and superhero action.
However, there’s been some chatter about characters like Omni-Man and Homelander joining the fray in “Mortal Kombat 1’s” DLC, which is intriguing given their villainous personas more closely align with the “Injustice” narrative. Replacing them with anime heavyweights like Goku and Saitama could be a tantalizing prospect for fans craving a dash of anime in their fighting games.
Additionally, there’s speculation that “Injustice 3” might mark NetherRealm’s foray into next-gen gaming, potentially featuring a roster that includes DC Universe staples like John Constantine, Huntress, Penguin, and Doctor Manhattan, and even a character as iconic as Neo from The Matrix. While these details are unconfirmed and stem from various leaks and rumors, the potential for such a diverse and exciting lineup is immense.
The game is expected to bring back fan-favorite characters from the previous installments, alongside these new additions. The “Injustice” series has always been lauded for its wide range of characters from the DC Universe, and the expectation is that this trend will continue in the next installment, blending the old with the new to create a rich and varied roster. Requests from fans have been pouring in, hoping to see characters like the entire Teen Titans cast, Trigon, and Azrael making their way into the game, showing the community’s eagerness and investment in the series’ future.
This blend of returning favorites, potential next-gen features, and a lineup of new characters from various universes could make “Injustice 3” a groundbreaking title in the fighting game genre.
Mortal Kombat 1 is a hard pill to swallow if you were waiting for Injustice 3, but it’s only a matter of time until that day arrives when we’re doing more than merely talking about it. That being said, fatalities aren’t everyone’s cup of tea, so if you would rather have your hands on a DC game, Rocksteady’s upcoming Suicide Squad IP may be just what you are looking for.
