NetherRealm Studios creative director Ed Boon has narrowed down the studio's next game to two possible options, though it's possible he is just trolling. Ed Boon is known for being fairly active on social media, often taking the time to interact with Mortal Kombat fans. Sometimes Boon uses his Twitter to troll fans as well, like when he kept trolling Mortal Kombat 11 players about Mileena. While Boon does have a history of trolling fans, the jury is still out about his latest claim regarding NetherRealm's next game.
Boon recently started a Twitter thread where he called on fans to ask him questions. Unsurprisingly, many fans inquired about the NetherRealm's future projects or potential remasters of classic Mortal Kombat games. Boon answered many of these questions, including one fan who asked him to provide a hint about what the studio's next game will be.
When asked for a hint about NetherRealm's next project, Boon said that it will either be Injustice 3 or Mortal Kombat 12. This has been largely assumed by the community since it would fit the pattern NetherRealm was established in 2011. 2011's Mortal Kombat 9 was followed by Injustice: Gods Among Us in 2013, Mortal Kombat X in 2015, Injustice 2 in 2017, and Mortal Kombat 11 in 2019. Assuming the pattern sticks, then one would assume NetherRealm's next game would be Injustice 3, but apparently it could be Mortal Kombat 12 instead.
While it's long been assumed that NetherRealm would make Injustice 3 or Mortal Kombat 12 next, there's always been the outside possibility that the studio's next game would be something completely different. In fact, rumors have persisted that NetherRealm is making a Marvel fighting game, which would come as a shock considering the company is owned by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment.
The rumors about NetherRealm making a Marvel fighting game is one reason why some fans think Boon is trolling with his answer. However, it's possible Boon is being completely serious when he says that NetherRealm's next game will be Injustice 3 or Mortal Kombat 12. Ultimately, fans will just have to wait for the studio to reveal the game to the world to be sure one way or another about NetherRealm's next project.
As for when that could happen, fans shouldn't hold their breath for a NetherRealm reveal to happen at The Game Awards this year. In the same Twitter thread, Boon confirmed that he would be in attendance at The Game Awards this year, but he would not be presenting at the show. Of course, it's still possible NetherRealm's next game will be revealed at the event, but it seems unlikely.