Midway confirms sixth Mortal Kombat title

Midway has confirmed that Mortal Kombat: Deception is the name of the next game in the long-running beat-'em-up series, following reports just over a month ago drawing attention to the publisher's January 7th registration of name and logo trademarks. As previously stated, the game is due out on PS2 and Xbox later in the year.

As with Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance, Deception will apparently feature a 'Konquest' mode to help build up characters and establish the controls, and mix hand-to-hand and weapons combat. The biggest change in Deadly Alliance was the inclusion of three fighting styles per fighter, which allowed skilled players to alternate between weapons and fisticuffs, even lacing multi-layered combos with various aspects of each.

We're also told to expect secret characters and new fatalities, but we were taking that much for granted anyway. There are plenty more details at MK5.org amongst other loyal fan sites, which also cite "insiders" in claiming that a final decision on a possible Cube version has yet to be made. Cross those fingers, Ninty types. Several sources also inform us that Baraka, Mileena, Scorpion and Sub-Zero will be amongst the various returning combatants.

Deception is shaping up for a release towards the end of 2004, and should also feature online modes via both PS2 Online and Xbox Live according to Midway's recent Q4 results conference call. It will doubtless prove one of the focal points on Midway's stand at this year's E3 trade show.