This seems kind of expected, but after MK vs. DC's toned-down departure, series co-creator, Ed Boon, spoke about the next game, tentatively titled MK9. Confirming his reveal from Comic-con, he says that the title will be returning to the franchise's roots and will most certainly be an M rated title like its predecessors.

Despite financial turmoil at Mortal Kombat publisher Midway, the Chicago-based MK team is soldiering on with the ninth fighting game in the series, currently known only as MK9. Series co-creator Ed Boon says it will definitely be M-rated.

Boon has been dropping small tidbits about the bloody fighting game sequel via his Twitter account, writing "Motion capturing special moves & fatalities today....they are kind of sick!!" Boon also backs up what he told us last year during an interview at Comic-Con, that Mortal Kombat 9 will be a Mature rated game—and it "isn't going to have Superheroes in it"—unlike the T-rated, toned down Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe.

"People want an M-rated MK....dammit we will give them an M-rated MK," Boon writes. He previously ponders "I hope we aren't taking these too far."

We've talked to a couple MK team members over the past year who have told us similar things, that MK9 would be "disgusting" in its violence, a return to form that we expect will be cathartic to longtime Mortal Kombat fans turned off by the less gory MK vs. DC... and maybe even a few of the game's developers.

McClubbin via kotaku.com »