February 27, 2002

MK: Deadly Alliance teaser video now on official website
A couple of days ago the official Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance site posted up copies of the Scorpion teaser video in their Downloads section that GameSpot had first dibs on.  You're able to choose from either two large Quicktime files of various sizes, a streaming .mpg file, or a downloadable .mpg file in .zip format.  Beware, though, because Midway's server has been so busy it may take several tries before the links connect.  But, once you get through, enjoy the videos.

Game Informer to cover MK: Deadly Alliance
TRMK was the first to discover that Game Informer will be the first magazine to cover some information on MK: Deadly Alliance.  They actually picked up the dropped story from EGM magazine and got permission to put it in next month's issue.  TRMK reports that the article will have tons of new info, pics, and artwork, as well as an interview with Ed Boon himself.  So, if you can't wait to see what the new Mortal Kombat is about, pick up that April issue when it hits the shelves and check out the exclusive cover story.

Official MK: Deadly Alliance release dates
Just to let everyone know, Midway recently issued a press release that reported sales for the last quarter and in it they listed release dates for various games.  MK: Deadly Alliance is on that list, and the XBox, Playstation 2, and GameCube versions will all be released as planned on September 30th, 2002.  As for the Game Boy Advance version, the release date is set for December 31st, 2002.  Happy belated Christmas.  Credit goes out to MK Gate for this bit of information.

NEW Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance section!
After hours of hard work, I've finally finished the revamp of the MK5 section into the new MK: Deadly Alliance section.  With it completed, I think that it's one of the most comprehensive MK: DA sections on the entire internet, containing info, the story, characters, multimedia, pictures, previews, and press releases!  And, as more info rolls in, it will only get bigger and better.  So please, make sure to check it out, and if you have any suggestions or problems, feel free to drop me a line and I'll get back to you ASAP.  Enjoy! :)

GameSpot's "Fatality Friday's" packs a mean punch
Wow, does GameSpot got the hookup or what?  On Friday they released their highly anticipated "Fatality Fridays" content, and they certainly shocked MK fans.  First, they released eight screenshots of a nicely rendered Scorpion showing off his punches, kicks, and spear throw.  Then, they even released the first of many MK: Deadly Alliance trailer videos, which shows Scorpion brandishing his moves and special moves in a sweet arena that we've seen before in this picture.  Scorpion looks great (like below), so make sure to check out the pictures and the movie as soon as you can, and keep an eye out for more MK: DA info, movies, and pictures to arrive right here at the MK Empire and at GameSpot's MK:DA site.

Midway opens official MK: Deadly Alliance website
They were a day late due to traffic, but it was worth it.  Yesterday, Midway opened up the official MK: Deadly Alliance website to the public.  This flash enhanced site (very hard to load for people like me) packs in a lot of new info and pics in its Info, Alerts, Community and Downloads sections.  New info includes the mention of a multiple move-set fighting system, where characters can actually change their fighting style/moves during the match.  Also of interest is how characters will show cuts, bruises, blood, and sweat, and each character will have special attacks and full 3D movement!  As for pics, there's plenty of new logos that can be used as wallpapers and such.  And, best of all, if you go to the "Community Fan Sites" section, you'll see a list of twelve MK sites that have earned the honor of being the best out there, and I'm very proud to announce that the MK Empire is on that list right in the middle!  Make sure to check that out, and check this out too... MK5.org was the first to discover that if you go to the "Download" section and move your mouse over to the right hand part of the screen, you'll discover a little white "Y".  Clicking on it leads you to a page where you can download 3 buddy icons for AOL Instant Messanger.  That's different.

New MK Empire Poll
I finally concluded the latest Poll and put up the new one.  The last Poll basically asked what the fans would like to see here at the MK Empire.  After 124 votes, what I got out of it was that most people want a Fan Art/Fan Fiction/Multimedia section to go up.  I had a Fan Art section up a while ago, and it didn't do good at all, but maybe I can give it another shot and add a general Fan section to this site and see how it works.  So, expect in the future exactly what you asked for... a new Fan section.  As for the new Poll, it asks your opinion on Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance, so make sure you go to this Poll and voice your opinion!

New Test Up
Yep, more new stuff.  Sorry, but it's gotta happen sometime.  Test #13 asked who the unconfirmed character for MK: Deadly Alliance was, and for those who don't know, the answer was Shinnok.  Now, for Test #14, I've posted a picture up that people should recognize and I'm asking what the name of the character is.  It's not tough, you just have to do your research. :)  So, head on over to the Test section and try your luck... you could be a winner...

Return of Site of the Month
You heard right, the Site of the Month contest is back!  There's been so many good sites poppoing up lately with the birth of MK: Deadly Alliance, I just had to get this up and running again.  So, go over to the Site of the Month section and start filling out that form so that at the end of February I can pick a winner for the month of March.  Hurry, time's passing quickly!

MK: Deadly Alliance to hit Playstation 2
Not like we didn't figure this out already since the PS2 is a "next-generation home console", but recently GameSpot along with the MK Breaking News Newsletter broke the news that MK: Deadly Alliance is definitly coming out for the PS2.  So, for those who were worrying, worry no more... the Alliance is coming to the XBox, GameCube, Game Boy Advance, and PS2.

No MK: Deadly Alliance in EGM
A couple weeks ago we reported that EGM magazine was going to have a huge story in their April issue for MK: Deadly Alliance that was supposedly going to contain "juicy details" about the game that no one knew of.  But, it seems that Midway and EGM had a little difference of opinion and EGM decided to scrap the article for now.  Oh well, magazines are always 3 months behind the web anyway.

New Quan Chi and Shang Tsung Pic
Sorry I couldn't update sooner, but I was away for a couple of days.  Anyway, it looks like Midway has released a new picture for Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance.  This time is shows Quan Chi and the first shot of Shang Tsung, making his comeback from MK3!  I guess this is the new "Deadly Alliance" that the game refers to.  You can go here to view a large version of the picture, and make sure to sign up for Midway's MK Breaking News Newsletter because there's a new feature that only members get.  Midway, teamed up with Gamespot, has announced its launch of "Fatality Fridays", an exclusive MK: Deadly Alliance package that will deliver designer diaries, pics, story info, and the long-awaited Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance preview video during the month of February.  But remember, only members of the Newsletter will recieve this stuff, so sign up now, and watch for the MK: Deadly Alliance website... coming today!!

A little change
Yeh, you saw right.  The Frames/No Frames page at the MK Empire is no more.  Now, if you type in the web address you get directed right to this page.  This is a series of changes to come at this site, and I chose to do this because if you don't have a browser that can handle frames by now, you're stuck in the past!  Enjoy.

Official MK: Deadly Alliance logo release and character info
Just recently, Midway was nice enough to hook up GameSpot with exclusive stuff, like the new Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance logo, as well as a little bit of info concerning the returning characters and the storyline.  The logo looks pretty phat, and can be seen here, but I'm guessing as with what always happens it will change a little before the final release.  As for the characters, Midway plans to include 8 returning characters: Scorpion, Sub-Zero, Raiden, Jax, Sonya, Reptile, Shang Tsung, and Quan Chi.  In my opinion, some of these characters I'm sick of seeing, so hopefully the new characters will outnumber the old.  But aside aside from that, the storyline is said to revolve around Quan Chi and Shang Tsung's quest to gain immortality.  Sounds pretty interesting, so keep your ears and eyes open as news starts rolling in about MK:DA, and if you want, post your thoughts at the message board.

Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance is official
On January 28th, Midway officially released to the public the name for the next MK installment.  Thanks to information given through their Breaking News Newsletter and to gaming sites, it os now known that the game will without a doubt be called Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance, and the "5" will be no more.  The press release, which can be viewed here at Yahoo! or here at Midway's official web site, is basically full of the basic info and hype you'd expect from a gaming company to reveal about a game this early on.  Below are fragments of the whole statement, outlining the most important things since as a whole it is too long to post here.  Please enjoy, and keep an eye out as the MK5 section changes to MK: DA.  More work... damnit.  Oh and don't worry, by other "next-generation gaming systems", Midway already confirmed here that it also means to release MK: DA for the Playstation 2 and possibly the PC and Sega Dreamcast by September 30th, 2002.

    Midway Games Inc., a leading software industry publisher and developer announced today that the official title for the all-new, next-generation version of the popular fighting game franchise will be Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance(TM). Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance is currently in development and scheduled to ship fall 2002 for the Xbox(TM) video game system from Microsoft, Nintendo GameCube(TM), Game Boy® Advance and other next-generation gaming systems.

    Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance marks the relaunch of the Mortal Kombat series with an all-new engine delivering punishing action that will reward long-time fans of the franchise as well as next-generation game lovers. The game features intense hand-to-hand and special-weapon combat, secret hidden moves and combinations with deadly body blows and fatalities.

    "Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance is the next phase of the Mortal Kombat series that gamers have been waiting for," said Helene Sheeler, vice president of marketing, Midway. "With all-new characters and worlds, never-before-seen features and a totally new fighting engine, Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance will set a precedent for all other next-generation fighting games to follow."