Few games gave us as many iconic one-linearists as franchise Fighting Netherrealm, Mortal KombatBut this week we learned that the voice standing behind one of the most famous – “Tostos!” – leaves the studio.
Director Dan Forden has worked in Midway and his successor Netherrealm Studios since 1989, the most famous in the Mortal Kombat series. It is his voice that we hear Cry “Toosty!” In Faletto, when we make an impressive upper level. For the first time in Mortal Kombat II from 1993 he became one of the most recognizable poems of dialogue in all video games.
“Wednesday was my last day at Netherrealm. For years we did a lot of comical things. I am really proud of what we achieved, and how well we had fun,” wrote Forden Instagram. “There are so many smart, talented people – look for more wonderful things that will appear in the next few years. I love petite accents that people left in the studio, like this little tribute in the mirror in the bathroom.
“I wouldn’t survive 37 years in the industry if the fans were not playing there.
Asked in the comments why he is now leaving, Forden explained: “I thought I was long enough. I want to regain this time for my own interests.”
Forden’s exit comes at an uncertain time for Netherrealm, which is owned by Warner Bros. In May, the studio confirmed what Mortal Kombat 1 fans feared after launching the Definitive edition: no new DLC characters or chapters of the story will be released for the game.
In August, the head of development Ed Boon said that Mortal Kombat 1 sold over 6.2 million copies. His predecessor, Mortal Kombat 11, became the best -selling game in a series, passing on almost 11 million Mortal Kombat X units sold worldwide shortly after launching. By 2022, Mortal Kombat 11 sold over 15 million copies around the world. Apparently Mortal Kombat 1 achieved worse results compared to previous games in the series.
Netherrealm said he changed to “focus on the next project to make him as great as possible”, but he didn’t say what it is yet. Current speculation indicates injustice 3, the continuation of the DC Netherrealm combat game series.
As for what is happening in the deadly world of Kombat? Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection, developed by Digital Eclipse and published by Atari, starts at the end of October. Continuation of the film Mortal Kombat II He was delayed from October 24, 2025 to May 15, 2026.. It is believed that Warner Bros. And New Line Cinema believe in the film – in which Karl Urban performs with Adeline Rudolph, Jessica McNamee, Josh Lawson, Ludi Lin, Mehcad Brooks, Tati Gabrielle, Lewis Tan and more – it will be better in the summer cash register, taking into account the wild fan response to the trailer.
Image loan: Atari / YouTube.
Vikki Blake is an IGN reporter, as well as a critic, columnist and consultant with over 15 years of experience in working with the world’s largest sites and publications. He is also a guardian, Spartan, quiet Hillian, legend and eternally high chaos. Find her in Blues.
