A truly dedicated Mortal Kombat 11 fan has played the game for 708 hours, which series co-creator Ed Boon jokes is longer than the game actually took to develop. The 2019 fighting game was beloved by franchise fans, with each playable character boasting in-depth customization and a whole suite of different abilities. The franchise co-creator has maintained a strong presence on social media, with Ed Boon discussing Mortal Kombat 11 arcade skins as one example of the game director's Twitter conversations.
Ed Boon served as a designer and programmer on 1992's Mortal Kombat, helping to birth the brutal fighting game franchise alongside artist and co-creator John Tobias. Mortal Kombat has evolved dramatically since the series' first release, eventually moving from arcade machines to home gaming consoles. Certain aspects of the franchise have remained the same, however, with most of the first installment's character roster remaining stalwart staples of the franchise's ever-expanding lineup. Ed Boon has also remained an essential part of the Mortal Kombat franchise, leading developer NetherRealm Studios in the creation of Mortal Kombat 11. The director often addresses fans on Twitter, with one recent interaction having Ed Boon respond to a Mortal Kombat: What If...? game idea.
On Twitter, Ed Boon recently responded to a fan who apparently played Mortal Kombat 11 for 708 hours. The dedicated fighting game player and Twitter user, Sean Wade, found the statistics through the PlayStation 2021 Wrap-Up. Ed Boon was clearly impressed by the massive playtime, joking that Sean Wade has played the title longer than it actually took to develop. 708 hours is roughly 29 days total, for reference, with that time likely spread across the three years since launch. Game development obviously takes more than 708 total hours, but Ed Boon's comparison does help illustrate Sean Wade's dedication to the title.
Fighting game fans have demonstrated an undying loyalty to Mortal Kombat 11, and this dedication is unlikely to end until the release of NetherRealm Studios' next game. While nothing has been officially confirmed, Mortal Kombat 12 roster leaks suggest that the theoretical sequel could be bigger and better than its predecessor. Rumors claim that MK12 will act as an updated rerelease of Mortal Kombat 11, maintaining the 2019 title's gameplay while dramatically expanding its roster. This rumored Mortal Kombat 12 would bring back many fighters from 2011's Mortal Kombat and 2015's MKX, fleshing out an already large cast of colorful killers.
Mortal Kombat 11 was popular upon release, and over time the game was improved through the release of post-launch content. Players like Sean Wade clearly latched onto the title's brutal beatings and Fatality finishers, leaving Ed Boon impressed by their commitment. While AAA game development certainly lasts longer than 708 hours, the comparison illustrates the dedication of Mortal Kombat 11 fans.
Mortal Kombat 11 is available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, PC and Google Stadia.
Sources: Sean Wade/Twitter, Ed Boon/Twitter