NetherRealm Studios explained

NetherRealm Studios
Type:Subsidiary
Predecessor:WB Games Chicago
Location:Chicago, Illinois, US
Industry:Video games
Parent:Warner Bros. Games

NetherRealm Studios is an American video game developer based in Chicago and owned by Warner Bros. Games. Led by video game industry veteran and Mortal Kombat co-creator Ed Boon, the studio is in charge of developing the Mortal Kombat and Injustice series of fighting games.[1]

History

On February 12, 2009, Midway Games filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the United States.[2] [3] Warner Bros. subsequently acquired "substantially all of the assets", including Mortal Kombat, This Is Vegas and the Midway Games company structure, on July 10, 2009.[4] [5] While Warner Bros. went on to close most of Midway Games' Chicago headquarters and San Diego, California and Newcastle upon Tyne, England, development studios, they retained the Midway Games Chicago development studio, which became part of Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment (now Warner Bros. Games).[6] [7] The remaining studio was renamed WB Games Chicago several days later.[8] [9] On April 20, 2010, the studio was reincorporated as NetherRealm Studios, replacing WB Games Chicago.[10] [11]

NetherRealm Studios' first game, was the ninth installment in the Mortal Kombat series, the title was released in April 2011. Their first game of original intellectual property, , based on the DC Universe, was released in 2013.[12] [13] The success of the two games allowed the development of respective sequels; Mortal Kombat X in 2015 and Injustice 2 in 2017.[14] [15] Also, NetherRealm developed Android and iOS versions for , Batman: Arkham Origins, and WWE Immortals. The company also developed Mortal Kombat 11, which was released on April 23, 2019.[16] On October 18, 2022, NetherRealm announced that they are working on Mortal Kombat: Onslaught, a cinematic collection role-playing mobile game that will be released in 2023.[17] [18]

In July 2024, it was reported that the studio's mobile gaming division was shut down and at least 50 employees were laid off.[19] [20] The company announced that Mortal Kombat: Onslaught will shut down in October 2024.[21]

Games developed

YearTitlePlatform(s)Notes
2011Mortal KombatWindows, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, Xbox 360Microsoft Windows Version developed by High Voltage Software
Mortal Kombat Arcade KollectionWindows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
Android, iOS
2013Windows, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Wii U, Xbox 360, Android, iOSPlayStation 4 and Microsoft Windows versions developed by High Voltage Software; PlayStation Vita version developed by Armature Studio
Batman: Arkham OriginsAndroid, iOS
2015Mortal Kombat XWindows, PlayStation 4, Xbox OneMicrosoft Windows version initially ported by High Voltage Software, later replaced by QLOC
Mortal Kombat MobileAndroid, iOS
WWE ImmortalsAndroid, iOS
2017Injustice 2Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Android, iOSMicrosoft Windows version ported by QLOC
2019Mortal Kombat 11Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, StadiaMicrosoft Windows version ported by QLOC; Nintendo Switch version ported by Shiver Entertainment
2023Android, iOS
Mortal Kombat 1Windows, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo SwitchMicrosoft Windows version ported by QLOC; Nintendo Switch version ported by Shiver Entertainment and Saber Interactive

Controversies

Shortly after the launch of Mortal Kombat 11, several independent declarations from former employees came through about the studio's alleged practices and general working conditions during the development of their last four games, in what they described as a toxic workplace with common instances of gender discrimination, as well as severe crunch time.[22] [23] [24] In May 2019, NetherRealm released a statement saying "At NetherRealm Studios, we greatly appreciate and respect all of our employees and prioritize creating a positive work experience. As an equal opportunity employer, we encourage diversity and constantly take steps to reduce crunch time for our employees. We are actively looking into all allegations, as we take these matters very seriously and are always working to improve our company environment. There are confidential ways for employees to raise any concerns or issues."[25] Following the statement, NetherRealm gave the studio the weekend off.[26]

The same month, another article by Kotaku reported on the mental toll the developers were taking on by developing such excessively violent video games—one developer detailed stories about how the team would view pictures and videos of murders or animal slaughter as reference material, which would cause nightmares and eventual insomnia, with a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder.[27]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: What's Next For Mortal Kombat, NetherRealm Studios . Michael . McWhertor . August 24, 2010 . . December 20, 2017 . August 27, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100827023214/https://kotaku.com/5620295/whats-next-for-mortal-kombat-netherrealm-studios . live .
  2. Web site: Midway US files for reorganisation in Bankruptcy Court . James . Lee . February 12, 2009 . . December 20, 2017 . September 12, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180912054650/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/midway-us-files-for-chapter-11 . live .
  3. Web site: Midway Files for Bankruptcy . Brian . Crecente . February 12, 2009 . . December 20, 2017 . December 22, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171222104823/https://kotaku.com/5152300/midway-files-for-bankruptcy . live .
  4. Web site: Warner Bros. Now Owns Midway, Mortal Kombat . Michael . McWhertor . July 10, 2009 . . December 20, 2017 . May 13, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130513024227/https://kotaku.com/5312018/warner-bros-now-owns-midway-mortal-kombat . live .
  5. Web site: Midway Newcastle shuttered, Chicago layoffs 'imminent' . Tor . Thorsen . July 14, 2009 . . December 20, 2017 . December 22, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171222051311/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/midway-newcastle-shuttered-chicago-layoffs-imminent/1100-6213354/ . live .
  6. Web site: Midway's Chicago HQ closing, final buyout price $49 million . Tor . Thorsen . July 16, 2009 . . December 20, 2017 . August 28, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180828055829/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/midways-chicago-hq-closing-final-buyout-price-49-million/1100-6213488/ . live .
  7. Web site: Midway execs get the boot, entire Chicago dev team acquired by WB . Ben . Gilbert . July 17, 2009 . . December 20, 2017 . October 16, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20151016135325/https://www.engadget.com/2009/07/17/midway-execs-get-the-boot-entire-chicago-dev-team-acquired-by-w/ . live .
  8. Web site: Mortal Kombat team sheds Midway skin for 'WB Games Chicago' . Ben . Gilbert . July 27, 2009 . . December 20, 2017 . January 12, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160112090215/https://www.engadget.com/2009/07/27/mortal-kombat-team-sheds-midway-skin-for-wb-games-chicago/ . live .
  9. Web site: Mortal Kombat studio becomes WB Games Chicago . Matt . Martin . July 28, 2009 . . December 20, 2017 . August 2, 2012 . https://archive.today/20120802064119/http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/mortal-kombat-studio-becomes-wb-games-chicago . live .
  10. Web site: Warner trademarks Netherrealm Studios . Stephany . Nunneley . April 9, 2010 . . December 10, 2017 . August 28, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180828170351/https://www.vg247.com/2010/04/09/warner-trademarks-netherrealm-studios/ . live .
  11. Web site: Mortal Kombat Returning to '2D' Roots . Alice . O'Connor . June 10, 2010 . . December 20, 2017 . September 12, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180912091907/https://www.shacknews.com/article/64202/mortal-kombat-returning-to-2d . live .
  12. Web site: Injustice: Gods Among Us hits April 16, Battle Edition revealed . Sinan . Kubba . January 15, 2013 . . December 20, 2017 . April 13, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160413102437/https://www.engadget.com/2013/01/15/injustice-gods-among-us-hits-april-16-batte-edition-revealed/ . live .
  13. Web site: Injustice: Gods Among Us release date 19th April . Robert . Purchese . January 15, 2013 . eurogamer.net . December 20, 2017 . August 9, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200809012739/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2013-01-15-injustice-gods-among-us-release-date-19th-april . live .
  14. Web site: Injustice 2 Release Date Revealed [UPDATE] ]. Kallie . Plagge . January 9, 2017 . . December 20, 2017 . January 10, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170110102844/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/injustice-2-release-date-revealed-update/1100-6446713/ . live .
  15. Web site: Injustice 2 Doubles Up On Cats . Mike . Fahey . February 14, 2017 . . December 20, 2017 . December 22, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171222051834/https://kotaku.com/injustice-2-doubles-up-on-cats-1792349606 . live .
  16. Web site: Mortal Kombat 11 Announced, Launching Globally April 23 . Mike . Fahey . December 6, 2018 . . March 9, 2019 . December 7, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181207091742/https://kotaku.com/mortal-kombat-11-announced-launching-globally-april-23-1830923742 . live .
  17. Web site: Mortal Kombat: Onslaught is a new mobile game coming in 2023 . October 18, 2022 . October 18, 2022 . October 18, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221018141836/https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/mortal-kombat-onslaught-is-a-new-mobile-game-coming-in-2023/ . live .
  18. Web site: Collection RPG Mortal Kombat: Onslaught announced for iOS, Android . October 18, 2022 . October 18, 2022 . October 18, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221018135354/https://www.gematsu.com/2022/10/collection-rpg-mortal-kombat-onslaught-announced-for-ios-android . live .
  19. Web site: Straw . Mike . 2024-07-18 . Mortal Kombat Developer NetherRealm Studios Hit With Mass Layoffs . 2024-07-18 . Insider Gaming . en-US.
  20. Web site: Allen . Joseph . 2024-07-18 . NetherRealm's Mobile Games In Danger as Layoffs Strike . 2024-07-18 . TechRaptor . en.
  21. Web site: Yin-Poole . Wesley . 2024-07-19 . Mortal Kombat Mobile Game to Shut Down a Year After Launch as Developer NetherRealm Suffers Layoffs . 2024-07-19 . IGN . en.
  22. Web site: NetherRealm's self-sustaining culture of crunch. GamesIndustry.biz. May 3, 2019. May 5, 2019. May 3, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190503150504/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2019-05-03-netherrealms-self-sustaining-culture-of-crunch. live.
  23. Web site: Former devs speak out about 'severe crunch' at Mortal Kombat studio . PC Gamer . April 26, 2019 . PCGamer . Chalk . y. . Fenlon . Wes . May 5, 2019 . April 26, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190426231605/https://www.pcgamer.com/former-devs-speak-out-about-severe-crunch-at-mortal-kombat-studio/ . live .
  24. Web site: "This Is How They Get Away With It:" Former NetherRealm Studios Contract Devs Reveal a Troubling Studio Culture. https://archive.today/20190502172344/https://www.usgamer.net/articles/netherrealm-studios-crunch-mortal-kombat-injustice-2-contract. dead. Matt. Kim. May 2, 2019. May 2, 2019. October 29, 2019.
  25. Web site: 'Mortal Kombat 11' Game Devs Allege Toxic Work Conditions at Warner Bros. Interactive's NetherRealm. Liz. Lanier. May 4, 2019. June 4, 2019. May 4, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190504171538/https://variety.com/2019/gaming/features/netherrealm-studio-warner-bros-games-toxic-1203204728/. live.
  26. Web site: NetherRealm Investigating Worker Concerns After Studio-Wide Meeting. Liz. Lanier. May 9, 2019. June 4, 2019. May 9, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190509231503/https://variety.com/2019/gaming/news/netherrealm-update-1203210372/. live.
  27. Web site: 'I'd Have These Extremely Graphic Dreams': What It's Like To Work On Ultra-Violent Games Like Mortal Kombat 11. Kotaku. May 8, 2019. October 29, 2019. November 24, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191124075218/https://kotaku.com/id-have-these-extremely-graphic-dreams-what-its-like-t-1834611691. live.

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