Mortal Kombat Characters: Their Development and Backstories

Summary

In this article, we discuss the development and backstories of some of the most iconic characters in the Mortal Kombat game. From the introduction of female characters to technical challenges in creating new characters, we explore how each character has contributed to the game’s success.

The Introduction of Female Characters
Technical Challenges in Creating New Characters
Kotal Kahn: A New Character Similar to Shao Kahn
Kung Lao and Liu Kang’s Journey from Heroes to Villains
Kronika: The First Female Boss Character
Iconic Characters and Their Unique Traits
Shao Kahn: Expanding the Universe Beyond a Tournament

The Introduction of Female Characters

The introduction of female characters in Mortal Kombat 1 was a result of improved technology and memory in arcade games. The creation of Kitana and Mileena was inspired by the desire to have female versions of Scorpion and Sub-Zero.

Technical Challenges in Creating New Characters

The introduction of Collector as a new character proved to be a technical challenge due to his additional arms. This required a unique skeleton and special treatment for his moves.

Kotal Kahn: A New Character Similar to Shao Kahn

Kotal Kahn is a new character who is similar to Shao Kahn and is battling for the title of Kah. He brings a fresh perspective to the game and adds to its diversity.

Kung Lao and Liu Kang’s Journey from Heroes to Villains

Kung Lao and Liu Kang’s journey from noble characters to villains is a significant part of the story mode. This is particularly evident when Kung Lao meets his future self, who has turned evil. Liu Kang is the hero of Mortal Kombat and is the main protagonist. He was killed in the Mortal Kombat story and turned into a Revenant, but in Mortal Kombat 11, he is seen as his heroic self and interacts with his Revenant self.

Kronika: The First Female Boss Character

Kronika is the first female boss character in the game and is the architect of every event in Mortal Kombat history. She was originally intended to be a male character but was changed to a female character, which worked better.

Iconic Characters and Their Unique Traits

The Mortal Kombat game features several iconic characters, each with their unique traits and backstory. Scorpion, the first character introduced in the game, set the tone for the game’s outrageous moves. His teleportation and spear with a chain were some of his signature moves. He was also known for his infamous fatality, taking off his mask and breathing fire on his opponent. Scarlet, a DLC character, quickly became a fan favorite due to her blood-based abilities. Sonya Blade was not originally part of the game but was added later to represent the military special forces component. Sub-Zero is one of the most recognizable characters in the game and has a deep history and relationship with several other characters. Noob Saibot was one of the first hidden characters, and his name is the backwards spelling of the creators’ last names. Raiden is the mentor to the Mortal Kombat characters and is inspired by action movies from the 80s and 90s.

Shao Kahn: Expanding the Universe Beyond a Tournament

Shao Kahn was introduced in Mortal Kombat and expanded the game’s universe beyond just a tournament. He is a formidable opponent and a key character in the game’s lore.

Conclusion

The Mortal Kombat game has evolved over the years, with new characters and storylines added to keep the game fresh and exciting. Each character has their unique backstory and traits, contributing to the game’s success. From technical challenges in creating new characters to the introduction of female characters, Mortal Kombat has something for everyone.