Boon tweets original MKvsDC Box Art, "We also could not go with the super dark tone we wanted"

[STORMS]

Ed Boon is certainly one for nostalgia and proof of that is his twitter. Quite often you'll find him posting images of stuff he found or "do you remember?" stuff. A few days ago he began talking about the original pitch for the Mortal Kombat vs DC box art and posted an image of it. He states that it was quickly rejected due to several things. First off, it said "MKvsDC" and Warner Bros wanted it to say MK vs DC Universe. Secondly, the original cover art also had a super dark tone and as Boon states, "was quickly rejected".

Way back in the day we were trying to come up with a darker look for the MKvsDC box art. A few things (I can't talk about) got in our way...

Basically we could not call the game MKvsDC, instead we can to spell out the whole name. Something I wasn't a big fan of. Too many letters.

So MKvsDC became MORTAL KOMBAT VS DC UNIVERSE.

We also could not go with the super dark tone we wanted. So this pitch for the box art was quickly rejected...

What do you think of this box art?

Source: noobde
Credit: EventHubs

 

[TH3DISTURBED1]

I wish that was the tone they used. That looks amazing.

 

[Doombawkz]

I'd frame it

 

[Bi-on-iC]

Wow looks epic. I agree that it kinda doesn't fit the game though.

 

[STORMS]

I personally think this stomps out what they ended up with.

 

[iMLGzus]

I admire Boon for what he tried to do with this game. Unfortunately, too many factors held it back. Mainly, the attitudes of DC. I can understand not wanting your characters to get heads ripped off, spines ripped out, cut in half, dunked in acid, etc. etc., but if this game was allowed to use the dark, gritty tones that had been envisioned, showing DC heroes and villains in battles that they actually had to fight for their life, it could've been great. We've all seen Superman burn a hole into Billy Batston's 10-year-old-man head. Now imagine it uncensored, full view, skull burning, brain melting out the ears and nose. A lovely sight. I would've liked to see how THIS version of the game had panned out.

 

[Faded Dreams V]

Isn't art with this sort of tone used in the actual covers of DC comic books from time to time? -.-

 

[usedcarsalesmang]

except for the two insect people fighting at the top, me gusta

 

[Gesture Required Ahead]

Great... are we getting MKDC 2 in E3?

I guess this is revenge in the name of those who did not want MK characters in IGAU.

Oh well...

 

[RiverHB]

Ed Boon: "Let's make the game good".
Warner Bros: "No, let's make the game shit".
We obviously know who won that debate.

 

[KombatNerd]

I prefer the Box art we have.

 

[Tim Static]

Ed Boon: "Let's make the game good".
Warner Bros: "No, let's make the game shit".
We obviously know who won that debate.

Yea Midway won, not letting the game get tested, patched or any additional help whatsoever.

 

[Ironsoulsmasher]

Eh. Shit makes the game look older than it is lol.

 

[RunwayMafia]

Collaborating with DC was a mistake, imo. Two different worlds...

 

[CCVengeance]

Years later NRS had Superman burn through poor Billy Batson's head for saying the L-Word.

 

[TheSpore]

I never hated MK vs DC, I thought it was a fun casual game, but If DC would cut the strings with Boon and let them do it their way, it would possibly have been one of the best FGs out there. I always felt while playing, it was unfinished and quite un realized.

 

[Astrocytic]

I admire Boon for what he tried to do with this game. Unfortunately, too many factors held it back. Mainly, the attitudes of DC. I can understand not wanting your characters to get heads ripped off, spines ripped out, cut in half, dunked in acid, etc. etc., but if this game was allowed to use the dark, gritty tones that had been envisioned, showing DC heroes and villains in battles that they actually had to fight for their life, it could've been great. We've all seen Superman burn a hole into Billy Batston's 10-year-old-man head. Now imagine it uncensored, full view, skull burning, brain melting out the ears and nose. A lovely sight. I would've liked to see how THIS version of the game had panned out.

Calm down.

 

[STRYKIE]

And you guys blew me up for speculating what could've been with the right resources in place lol

 

[Alexandru Pascu]

I admire Boon for what he tried to do with this game. Unfortunately, too many factors held it back. Mainly, the attitudes of DC. I can understand not wanting your characters to get heads ripped off, spines ripped out, cut in half, dunked in acid, etc. etc., but if this game was allowed to use the dark, gritty tones that had been envisioned, showing DC heroes and villains in battles that they actually had to fight for their life, it could've been great. We've all seen Superman burn a hole into Billy Batston's 10-year-old-man head. Now imagine it uncensored, full view, skull burning, brain melting out the ears and nose. A lovely sight. I would've liked to see how THIS version of the game had panned out.

I'm sorry but that is not cool or visceral that is downright disturbing and more than a bit nasty. Even Mortal Kombat doesn't go that far. I agree that it was a bit too toned down but what you're referring to is a bit more suited for a survival horror game. Sure MK always had violence and brutality but on a slightly cheesy note and over the top.

 

[iMLGzus]

I'm sorry but that is not cool or visceral that is downright disturbing and more than a bit nasty. Even Mortal Kombat doesn't go that far. I agree that it was a bit too toned down but what you're referring to is a bit more suited for a survival horror game. Sure MK always had violence and brutality but on a slightly cheesy note and over the top.

So you're telling me that sawing someone in half with a buzzsaw hat and holding up the two separate pieces, or disemboweling some poor sod with hookswords is perfectly ok, but a flaming skull like Ghostrider is "too over the top?"

You had me going there for a second buddy. Thought you were serious.

 

[RYX]

Give me this tone and I will buy an MKDC remake.

 

[iMLGzus]

Give me this tone and I will buy an MKDC remake.

Then I can body your ass in that too. Put Bane in it. Make his Backbreaker fatality snap them in half lmao.

 

[Solo]

We should be more grateful to WB. Because of them MK, TYM, and Injustice came to fruition.

They were on limited budget, not much they could do with that game. Plus, there may be deaths in DC Comics, but most of the time it's either off panel, alternate universe, or highly censored.

 

[Raidenwins]

I like it. It's better than the one they used, for sure.

 

[SaJa]

"We also wanted to include mk characters on injustice but that was quickly rejected"