Mortal Kombat started life as an arcade game that became embroiled in controversy for its violent content, and was a main catalyst to the formation of the ESRB. Beyond its storied history, the series made the jump to home consoles a long time ago and continues as a big name in fighting games.

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On the Warner Media Careers site, a job listing for NetherRealm Studios lays out a set of roles for the position of senior software engineer. Specifically, the listing asks for developers who can work on extending the functionality of an engine based on Unreal Engine 4. The listing, as expected, does not explicitly state that the engine will be used for Mortal Kombat 12; however, the engine technology focuses on animation and rendering fit with the detailed violence the series is known for. With the insight the listing gives into the state of the engine, it seems the final release of Mortal Kombat 12 is a long way off, so fans may want to look into alternative fighting games.

The listing is one of a few recent posts on the Warner Media jobs site and supports the theory that Mortal Kombat 12’s development may begin in the near future, though this is unconfirmed by Warner Brothers and NetherRealm. The fighting game series has existed for almost 30 years at this point, with the initial game launched in 1992.

Considering insider suggestions that Mortal Kombat 12 is prioritized over Injustice 3, Mortal Kombat 12 may be the first game to be developed with the new engine. As such, it will work both as a continuation of the series and a technical showcase of the advantages the new engine gives over the old one.

The previous main entry in the series, Mortal Kombat 11, was built on a modified variant of Unreal Engine 3. The shift to a new engine should offer new tools and techniques, but it will also take time. While Unreal Engine 5 may quickly become the standard, Unreal Engine 4 is by no means outdated, and a modified version of an older, more stabilize toolset could work in the team’s favor.

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