Warner Bros. Games & Developer NeatherRealm Studios Confirm Mortal Kombat 1 Pro Kompetition With $255,000

In an exciting development for esports and fighting game enthusiasts, Warner Bros. Games and NetherRealm Studios have teamed up to introduce the Mortal Kombat 1 Pro Competition. This global esports program is set to showcase the skills of masterful players in the world of Mortal Kombat 1. With a substantial cash prize of $255,000, this competition aims to build an international ecosystem of players and promises to be a thrilling event for fans of the iconic fighting game franchise.

The Pro-Competition Format

The Mortal Kombat 1 Pro Competition is designed to be an engaging and competitive series of events. It kicks off on October 20, 2023, at the East Coast Throwdown fighting game tournament. The culmination of this exciting series will be the “Final Kombat World Championship event,” scheduled for June 2024. To secure a spot in this prestigious event, players will have to go through a challenging qualification process.

Qualification Process

Players can qualify for the Final Kombat World Championship through two main avenues:

1. Global Pro Kompetition Leaderboard: Competitors will earn leaderboard points based on their placements in various events throughout the Pro Kompetition series. The top performers on the global leaderboard will secure spots in the championship.
2. Regional League Finals: Alternatively, players can qualify through the Regional League Finals. Each event in the Pro Competition will feature a 1 vs. 1 double-elimination bracket format, providing multiple opportunities for players to earn their place.

In-Person Pro-Competition Events

Apart from the East Coast Throwdown, there are three other in-person Pro Kompetition-partnered events where players can compete:

Ultimate Fighting Arena in Paris, France (November 24-26, 2023)
CCXP/Comic Con Experience in São Paulo, Brazil (November 30–December 3, 2023)
Combo Breaker in Illinois, USA (Spring 2024)

These events offer a chance for participants to showcase their Mortal Kombat 1 skills and earn a spot in the Final Kombat World Championship.

Regional Programs

The Pro Kompetition also features three regional programs, each comprising segmented sub-regions:

1. North American League (North America East and North America West)
2. Interkontinental Kombat (Europe East, Europe West, Oceanic, and Middle East)
3. Liga Latina (Brazil, Mexico, South America North, and South America South)

The top eight players within each region will advance to the online regional final, providing another pathway to qualify for the championship.

Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ)

For those who haven’t secured a spot through the standard means, there’s a Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ) event. This open registration event will be on a first-come, first-served basis and will accommodate up to 256 fighters in a double-elimination bracket. The winner of the LCQ will then move on to the group stage.

Final Kombat World Championship Format

The Final Kombat World Championship introduces a new competitive format. The 20 players who qualify will be organized into four groups of five players each. These groups will compete in a round-robin tournament format. Two players from each group will advance to the top 8 for the finals, which will also be a double-elimination bracket.

Collaboration with RTS

The Mortal Kombat 1 Pro Competition is made possible through a collaboration with RTS, co-founded by streaming star Imane ‘Pokimane’ Anys. RTS aims to assist creators, brands, events, and publishers in making a long-term impact in the gaming industry. This partnership adds an exciting dimension to the event.

The Mortal Kombat 1 Pro Competition is a significant milestone for the Mortal Kombat franchise and the esports community. With a generous $255,000 prize pool and a diverse range of opportunities for players to qualify, it promises to be a thrilling spectacle. As the competition unfolds over the course of 50 days with over 200 hours of live competition, fans of Mortal Kombat 1 can expect to see the game pushed to its limits. This event is not only a celebration of skill but also a testament to the enduring popularity of the Mortal Kombat franchise in the world of esports.