NetherRealm Studios is a developer with a well-established legacy in the video game industry. Formed from the ashes of Midway Games, NetherRealm is the team behind the Mortal Kombat franchise, and more recently the Injustice fighting game series, too. While NetherRealm has also created some mobile game experiences, it's difficult to imagine its primary focus being anything other than 2D fighting games. Yet a recent job listing hints that NetherRealm could be experimenting in a new direction.
A recently posted NetherRealm job listing for a Senior Designer that will focus on combat has raised some eyebrows. There isn't an overt mention of a new project at NetherRealm, but the language used within the listing is perhaps indicative of a new direction. Specifically, there's a requirement listed under "Essential" within the job listing asking for experience "implementing navigation and/or combat mechanics (with a preference on melee combat)."
"Melee combat" and "navigation" don't, by any means, imply a shift in direction for the company. It's still curious language to use for a fighting game. Fighting games utilize a mix of melee and ranged combat in strict balance, after all. "Melee" more often refers to 3D games with action-focused combat like the Batman titles at WB Games. "Navigation mechanics" also imply more complex systems for movement and exploration, though the language could simply refer to fighting game movement as well.
To be clear, there's no announced plan from NetherRealm to create anything but fighting games and the odd mobile game in the future. The only recent rumor regarding NetherRealm's next project, in fact, is that it's working on Mortal Kombat 12. Some may be surprised to hear it's not Injustice next, but Warner Bros. is going through a transition right now, and it seems Mortal Kombat 12 is a safer direction in order to avoid any pesky licensing issues that could crop up if NetherRealm is sold to another company.
Ultimately, this Senior Designer position could be intended to work on Mortal Kombat 12, a new NetherRealm mobile game, or perhaps a new non-fighting game mode like what's been previously included in Mortal Kombat titles. There's simply not enough information to be certain, but it's intriguing nevertheless.
Whatever NetherRealm Studios is working on, its community of dedicated fans will certainly be looking forward to it. Even if NetherRealm did decide to try making a game in a different genre, those fans would know it would be made with the same dedicated development team, style, and personality as Mortal Kombat and Injustice were made. Fans will just have to wait and see what's in store from NetherRealm down the line.