NetherRealm Studios
{{short description|American video game developer}}
{{Use American English|date=December 2017}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2017}}
{{Infobox company
| name = NetherRealm Studios
| logo = NetherRealm Studios.svg
| logo_caption = NetherRealm Studios' logo, depicting the silhouette of Scorpion from the Mortal Kombat series
| type = Subsidiary
| predecessor = WB Games Chicago
| founded = {{Start date and age|2010|04|20}}
| location = Chicago, Illinois, US
| key_people = {{Unbulleted list|Ed Boon (creative director)|Shaun Himmerick (studio head)}}
| industry = Video games
| products = {{Unbulleted list|Mortal Kombat series|Injustice series}}
| parent = Warner Bros. Games
| website = {{URL|http://www.netherrealm.com/|netherrealm.com}}
}}
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.{{cite web |url=https://kotaku.com/5620295/whats-next-for-mortal-kombat-netherrealm-studios |title=What's Next For Mortal Kombat, NetherRealm Studios |first=Michael |last=McWhertor |date=August 24, 2010 |website=Kotaku |access-date=December 20, 2017 |archive-date=August 27, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100827023214/https://kotaku.com/5620295/whats-next-for-mortal-kombat-netherrealm-studios |url-status=live }}
History
On February 12, 2009, Midway Games filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the United States.{{cite web |url=http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/midway-us-files-for-chapter-11 |title=Midway US files for reorganisation in Bankruptcy Court |first=James |last=Lee |date=February 12, 2009 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |access-date=December 20, 2017 |archive-date=September 12, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180912054650/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/midway-us-files-for-chapter-11 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://kotaku.com/5152300/midway-files-for-bankruptcy |title=Midway Files for Bankruptcy |first=Brian |last=Crecente |date=February 12, 2009 |website=Kotaku |access-date=December 20, 2017 |archive-date=December 22, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222104823/https://kotaku.com/5152300/midway-files-for-bankruptcy |url-status=live }} 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.{{cite web |url=https://kotaku.com/5312018/warner-bros-now-owns-midway-mortal-kombat |title=Warner Bros. Now Owns Midway, Mortal Kombat |first=Michael |last=McWhertor |date=July 10, 2009 |website=Kotaku |access-date=December 20, 2017 |archive-date=May 13, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130513024227/https://kotaku.com/5312018/warner-bros-now-owns-midway-mortal-kombat |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/midway-newcastle-shuttered-chicago-layoffs-imminent/1100-6213354/ |title=Midway Newcastle shuttered, Chicago layoffs 'imminent' |first=Tor |last=Thorsen |date=July 14, 2009 |website=GameSpot |access-date=December 20, 2017 |archive-date=December 22, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222051311/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/midway-newcastle-shuttered-chicago-layoffs-imminent/1100-6213354/ |url-status=live }} While Warner Bros. went on to close most of Midway Games' Chicago headquarters and San Diego and Newcastle development studios, they retained the Chicago studio, which became part of Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment (now Warner Bros. Games).{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/midways-chicago-hq-closing-final-buyout-price-49-million/1100-6213488/ |title=Midway's Chicago HQ closing, final buyout price $49 million |first=Tor |last=Thorsen |date=July 16, 2009 |website=GameSpot |access-date=December 20, 2017 |archive-date=August 28, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180828055829/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/midways-chicago-hq-closing-final-buyout-price-49-million/1100-6213488/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.engadget.com/2009/07/17/midway-execs-get-the-boot-entire-chicago-dev-team-acquired-by-w/ |title=Midway execs get the boot, entire Chicago dev team acquired by WB |first=Ben |last=Gilbert |date=July 17, 2009 |website=Engadget |access-date=December 20, 2017 |archive-date=October 16, 2015 |archive-url=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/ |url-status=live }} The remaining studio was renamed WB Games Chicago several days later.{{cite web |url=https://www.engadget.com/2009/07/27/mortal-kombat-team-sheds-midway-skin-for-wb-games-chicago/ |title=Mortal Kombat team sheds Midway skin for 'WB Games Chicago' |first=Ben |last=Gilbert |date=July 27, 2009 |website=Engadget |access-date=December 20, 2017 |archive-date=January 12, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160112090215/https://www.engadget.com/2009/07/27/mortal-kombat-team-sheds-midway-skin-for-wb-games-chicago/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/mortal-kombat-studio-becomes-wb-games-chicago |title=Mortal Kombat studio becomes WB Games Chicago |first=Matt |last=Martin |date=July 28, 2009 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |access-date=December 20, 2017 |archive-date=August 2, 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120802064119/http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/mortal-kombat-studio-becomes-wb-games-chicago |url-status=live }} On April 20, 2010, the studio was reincorporated as NetherRealm Studios, replacing WB Games Chicago.{{cite web |url=https://www.vg247.com/2010/04/09/warner-trademarks-netherrealm-studios/ |title=Warner trademarks Netherrealm Studios |first=Stephany |last=Nunneley |date=April 9, 2010 |website=VG247 |access-date=December 10, 2017 |archive-date=August 28, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180828170351/https://www.vg247.com/2010/04/09/warner-trademarks-netherrealm-studios/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.shacknews.com/article/64202/mortal-kombat-returning-to-2d |title=Mortal Kombat Returning to '2D' Roots |first=Alice |last=O'Connor |date=June 10, 2010 |website=Shacknews |access-date=December 20, 2017 |archive-date=September 12, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180912091907/https://www.shacknews.com/article/64202/mortal-kombat-returning-to-2d |url-status=live }}
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, Injustice: Gods Among Us, based on the DC Universe, was released in 2013.{{cite web |url=https://www.engadget.com/2013/01/15/injustice-gods-among-us-hits-april-16-batte-edition-revealed/ |title=Injustice: Gods Among Us hits April 16, Battle Edition revealed |first=Sinan |last=Kubba |date=January 15, 2013 |website=Engadget |access-date=December 20, 2017 |archive-date=April 13, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413102437/https://www.engadget.com/2013/01/15/injustice-gods-among-us-hits-april-16-batte-edition-revealed/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2013-01-15-injustice-gods-among-us-release-date-19th-april |title=Injustice: Gods Among Us release date 19th April |first=Robert |last=Purchese |date=January 15, 2013 |website=eurogamer.net |access-date=December 20, 2017 |archive-date=August 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809012739/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2013-01-15-injustice-gods-among-us-release-date-19th-april |url-status=live }} The success of the two games allowed the development of respective sequels; Mortal Kombat X in 2015 and Injustice 2 in 2017.{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/injustice-2-release-date-revealed-update/1100-6446713/ |title=Injustice 2 Release Date Revealed [UPDATE] |first=Kallie |last=Plagge |date=January 9, 2017 |website=GameSpot |access-date=December 20, 2017 |archive-date=January 10, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170110102844/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/injustice-2-release-date-revealed-update/1100-6446713/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://kotaku.com/injustice-2-doubles-up-on-cats-1792349606 |title=Injustice 2 Doubles Up On Cats |first=Mike |last=Fahey |date=February 14, 2017 |website=Kotaku |access-date=December 20, 2017 |archive-date=December 22, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222051834/https://kotaku.com/injustice-2-doubles-up-on-cats-1792349606 |url-status=live }} Also, NetherRealm developed Android and iOS versions for Batman: Arkham City Lockdown, Batman: Arkham Origins, and WWE Immortals. The company also developed Mortal Kombat 11, which was released on April 23, 2019.{{cite web |url=https://kotaku.com/mortal-kombat-11-announced-launching-globally-april-23-1830923742 |title=Mortal Kombat 11 Announced, Launching Globally April 23 |first=Mike |last=Fahey |date=December 6, 2018 |website=Kotaku |access-date=March 9, 2019 |archive-date=December 7, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181207091742/https://kotaku.com/mortal-kombat-11-announced-launching-globally-april-23-1830923742 |url-status=live }} 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.{{cite web | url=https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/mortal-kombat-onslaught-is-a-new-mobile-game-coming-in-2023/ | title=Mortal Kombat: Onslaught is a new mobile game coming in 2023 | date=October 18, 2022 | access-date=October 18, 2022 | archive-date=October 18, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221018141836/https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/mortal-kombat-onslaught-is-a-new-mobile-game-coming-in-2023/ | url-status=live }}{{cite web | url=https://www.gematsu.com/2022/10/collection-rpg-mortal-kombat-onslaught-announced-for-ios-android | title=Collection RPG Mortal Kombat: Onslaught announced for iOS, Android | date=October 18, 2022 | access-date=October 18, 2022 | archive-date=October 18, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221018135354/https://www.gematsu.com/2022/10/collection-rpg-mortal-kombat-onslaught-announced-for-ios-android | url-status=live }}
In July 2024, it was reported that the studio's mobile gaming division was shut down and at least 50 employees were laid off.{{Cite web |last=Straw |first=Mike |date=2024-07-18 |title=Mortal Kombat Developer NetherRealm Studios Hit With Mass Layoffs |url=https://insider-gaming.com/mortal-kombat-developer-netherrealm-studios-hit-with-mass-layoffs/ |access-date=2024-07-18 |website=Insider Gaming |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Allen |first=Joseph |date=2024-07-18 |title=NetherRealm's Mobile Games In Danger as Layoffs Strike |url=https://techraptor.net/gaming/news/netherrealm-mobile-shut-down-rumor-layoffs |access-date=2024-07-18 |website=TechRaptor |language=en}} The company announced that Mortal Kombat: Onslaught would shut down in October 2024.{{Cite web |last=Yin-Poole |first=Wesley |date=2024-07-19 |title=Mortal Kombat Mobile Game to Shut Down a Year After Launch as Developer NetherRealm Suffers Layoffs |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/mortal-kombat-mobile-game-to-shut-down-a-year-after-launch-as-developer-netherrealm-suffers-layoffs |access-date=2024-07-19 |website=IGN |language=en}}
Games developed
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" | Title ! scope="col" | Platform(s) !Notes |
| scope="row" rowspan="3" | 2011
| Windows, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, Xbox 360 |Microsoft Windows Version developed by High Voltage Software |
|---|
| Mortal Kombat Arcade Kollection
| Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 | |
| Batman: Arkham City Lockdown
| |
| scope="row" rowspan="2" | 2013
| Windows, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Wii U, Xbox 360, Android, iOS |PlayStation 4 and Microsoft Windows versions developed by High Voltage Software; PlayStation Vita version developed by Armature Studio |
| Batman: Arkham Origins
| Android, iOS | |
| scope="row" rowspan="3" | 2015
| Mortal Kombat X{{efn|name="XL"|Later released as Mortal Kombat XL.}} | Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One |Microsoft Windows version initially ported by High Voltage Software, later replaced by QLOC |
| Mortal Kombat Mobile
| Android, iOS | |
| WWE Immortals
| Android, iOS | |
| scope="row" | 2017
| Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Android, iOS |Microsoft Windows version ported by QLOC |
| scope="row" | 2019
| Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Stadia |Microsoft Windows version ported by QLOC; Nintendo Switch version ported by Shiver Entertainment |
| scope="row" rowspan="2" | 2023
| Android, iOS | |
| Mortal Kombat 1
| Windows, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch |Microsoft 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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2019-05-03-netherrealms-self-sustaining-culture-of-crunch|title=NetherRealm's self-sustaining culture of crunch|website=GamesIndustry.biz|date=May 3, 2019|access-date=May 5, 2019|archive-date=May 3, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190503150504/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2019-05-03-netherrealms-self-sustaining-culture-of-crunch|url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/former-devs-speak-out-about-severe-crunch-at-mortal-kombat-studio/ |title=Former devs speak out about 'severe crunch' at Mortal Kombat studio |website=PC Gamer |date=April 26, 2019 |publisher=PCGamer |last1=Chalk |first1=y. |last2=Fenlon |first2=Wes |access-date=May 5, 2019 |archive-date=April 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190426231605/https://www.pcgamer.com/former-devs-speak-out-about-severe-crunch-at-mortal-kombat-studio/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web|url=https://www.usgamer.net/articles/netherrealm-studios-crunch-mortal-kombat-injustice-2-contract|archive-url=https://archive.today/20190502172344/https://www.usgamer.net/articles/netherrealm-studios-crunch-mortal-kombat-injustice-2-contract|url-status=dead|title="This Is How They Get Away With It:" Former NetherRealm Studios Contract Devs Reveal a Troubling Studio Culture|first=Matt|last=Kim|date=May 2, 2019|archive-date=May 2, 2019|access-date=October 29, 2019}} 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."{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2019/gaming/features/netherrealm-studio-warner-bros-games-toxic-1203204728/|title='Mortal Kombat 11' Game Devs Allege Toxic Work Conditions at Warner Bros. Interactive's NetherRealm|first1=Liz|last1=Lanier|date=May 4, 2019|access-date=June 4, 2019|archive-date=May 4, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190504171538/https://variety.com/2019/gaming/features/netherrealm-studio-warner-bros-games-toxic-1203204728/|url-status=live}} Following the statement, NetherRealm gave the studio the weekend off.{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2019/gaming/news/netherrealm-update-1203210372/|title=NetherRealm Investigating Worker Concerns After Studio-Wide Meeting|first1=Liz|last1=Lanier|date=May 9, 2019|access-date=June 4, 2019|archive-date=May 9, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190509231503/https://variety.com/2019/gaming/news/netherrealm-update-1203210372/|url-status=live}}
That 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.{{Cite web|url=https://kotaku.com/id-have-these-extremely-graphic-dreams-what-its-like-t-1834611691|title='I'd Have These Extremely Graphic Dreams': What It's Like To Work On Ultra-Violent Games Like Mortal Kombat 11|website=Kotaku|date=May 8, 2019|access-date=October 29, 2019|archive-date=November 24, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191124075218/https://kotaku.com/id-have-these-extremely-graphic-dreams-what-its-like-t-1834611691|url-status=live}}
Notes
{{Notelist}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|http://www.netherrealm.com/}}
{{Portal bar|Chicago|Companies|Illinois|Video games}}
{{NetherRealm Studios}}
{{Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment}}
Category:2010 establishments in Illinois
Category:American companies established in 2010
Category:Companies based in Chicago
Category:Video game companies established in 2010
Category:Video game companies of the United States