NetherRealm Finally Punches Up Injustice 3 After Ten Years

NetherRealm Studios reportedly dusted off the DC fighting franchise and started work on Injustice 3, nearly ten years after the last one hit shelves. The series pits DC superheroes against each other in an alternate universe where Superman goes full dictator after the Joker tricks him into killing Lois Lane and their unborn child. A more normal Justice League eventually steps in to stop the maniacal Man of Steel, because nothing says heroism like punching a tyrannical alien in the face. Has anyone ever looked at Superman and thought, “You know what, that guy would make a terrifying villain?”

Injustice 3 Spills Into Development Arena

Injustice became known for its grim storyline, which spilled over into comic books and even an animated film, but the video game side has been dormant for almost a decade. NetherRealm Studios, the same team behind Mortal Kombat, apparently decided that ten years is long enough to leave fans hanging. A new report from MP1st claims that Injustice 3 is currently in development, based on information pulled from an anonymous artist’s resume at Warner Bros. Games.

The artist in question had their identity withheld for confidentiality reasons, which sounds either very legit or very made up, depending on how cynical a person feels. Injustice appeared alongside other projects on that resume, including the sequel to Hogwarts Legacy and two unannounced titles. The artist clearly stays busy, but the juicy part for fighting game fans remains that third Injustice entry sitting somewhere in development hell or heaven, depending on the day.

Ed Boon Teased, World Waited Patiently

Ed Boon, one of the original Mortal Kombat creators and the head of NetherRealm Studios, teased this way back in November 2022. Injustice or Mortal Kombat 12, he tweeted in response to a fan, and the world watched to see which one would win. Mortal Kombat 1 was eventually released in 2023 as a reboot of that series, leaving Injustice as the obvious next course on the menu.

Nearly three years have passed since Mortal Kombat 1 dropped, which means NetherRealm Studios should have plenty of time and resources to throw at Injustice 3. The team typically alternates between Mortal Kombat and Injustice, so a third entry feels less like a rumor and more like an inevitability at this point. Injustice fans have waited patiently since 2017, and patience wears thin when a person can almost drive a car to school in the time between sequels.

Superman Arc Wrapped, Writers Panic Slightly

A person has to wonder what story Injustice 3 would even tell, given that the second game wrapped up the dictator Superman arc pretty neatly. Injustice could explore a new alternate universe, or it could bring back the regular Justice League for a completely different crisis. The franchise thrives on what-if scenarios, so the writers have plenty of material to mine without retreading old ground.

Injustice 2 introduced a gear system that let players customize their fighters with stat-boosting equipment and cosmetic changes, a feature that divided fans but added depth. Injustice 3 could expand on that system or scrap it entirely, depending on how NetherRealm feels about grinding for Batman cowls. The roster also needs a refresh, because ten years means a whole new generation of DC characters that players actually recognize.

Injustice 3 Could Drop Next Year, Maybe