Warner Bros. Games and NetherRealm Studios are gearing up for the big release of Mortal Kombat 1’s next update. The upcoming patch is set to add all sorts of goodies to the blockbuster fighting title, with the most notable addition being early access for Kombat Pack 1’s final main roster DLC character, Takeda.
Though we’ve known the release day for this early access Takeda period for a little while now, the folks behind Mortal Kombat 1 have just moments ago revealed the specific window of time we can expect to see the game’s next batch of server maintenance go live that will make way for the new update.
As revealed previously, the early access period for Takeda in Mortal Kombat 1 is beginning on July 23. On this same day, players will also be able to pick up and play Ferra, the final DLC Kameo Fighter included in Kombat Pack 1.
Now, the official Mortal Kombat 1 Twitter account has divulged when we’ll see the server maintenance happen, and according to their latest tweet it will be early in the morning tomorrow, July 23.
“Whip calibration initiated. #MK1 will be offline starting July 23 @ 6am PT/8am CT as we prepare for Takeda’s debut,” the official Mortal Kombat Twitter page wrote. Unfortunately, we did not get any details on how long the servers will be going offline for during this time.
Based on previous bouts of Mortal Kombat 1 server maintenance, it is likely that the game’s online features will remain offline for about 2 – 4 hours before being restored. If you want to jump in and play as Takeda as soon as possible, you’ll want to check back sometime during that block of time after the server maintenance starts.
While Takeda is the frontrunner when it comes to biggest content being added to Mortal Kombat 1 with this next update, he isn’t the only bell and/or whistle being put in. As mentioned above, Ferra as a DLC Kameo Fighter is also joining the fight, and NetherRealm Studios will also be introducing new balance changes to a variety of different characters.
As shown on the recent Kombat Kast presentation, Li-Mei is receiving a new meter-less pop up string, Nitara has a handful of buffs including an improved dive kick, and both Scorpion and Sub-Zero are getting new changes as well.
Kameo Fighters are also receiving balance changes with this update to further improve or tone down some of their tools. Classic combatant Sektor will now be able to fire two missiles with his assist, while Goro is gaining the ability to cancel his Punch Walk maneuver.
We saw quite a bit of what Takeda can do over the Evo weekend as he was playable on the show floor along with the upcoming balance update. Fans quickly discovered Takeda’s second Fatality in Mortal Kombat 1 as well, and they even provided a glimpse at what the input to do it is.
Mortal Kombat 1 is currently wrapping up its first year of content, but there is still a lot more to come. We’ll be learning more about the future of Mortal Kombat 1, its year 2, new cinematic story mode installment, and very likely the identities of the main roster Kombat Pack 2 characters during the special panel set to be held at San Diego Comic-Con 2024 on July 26.