Developer NetherRealm Studios gender swapped both Cyrax and Sektor in its upcoming Khaos Reigns DLC for Mortal Kombat 1 as Steam player numbers for Mortal Kombat 11 are nearly identitcal to Mortal Kombat 1.
A screenshot from Mortal Kombat 1 (2023), NetherRealm Studios
As noted on the Mortal Kombat website, the Khaos Reigns DLC or expansion “features reimagined stories and gameplay for Klassic Kombatants Noob Saibot, Cyrax, and Sektor, while also welcoming new faces to the Mortal Kombat universe—Ghostface, T-1000, and Conan the Barbarian.”
In a post to YouTube on August 15th, the official Mortal Kombat channel revealed that both Cyrax and Sektor have been gender swapped in the new timeline that the game introduces.
READ: Report: Warner Bros. Discovery Looking To Sell “Stake” In Its Video Games Business
In a post to X on August 16th, the official Mortal Kombat 1 account wrote, “Her unorthodox methods have earned her the watchful eye of the Lin Kuei. Cyrax joins Mortal Kombat 1 when Khaos Reigns launches September 24.”
The accompanying image provides new biographical details on the gender-swapped character, “Cyrax was born into the Zaki, one of the Lin Kuei’s many sub-clans. For generations it has mainted a quiet presence in Niger’s Air mountains, where it stands ready to defend Earthrealm. A martial arts prodigy, Cyrax was the youngest Zaki to ever become an active Lin Kuei warrior. That success earned her an invitation to serve directly under Sektor.”
Cyrax seized the opportunity with her trademark vigor,” the description continues. “But while her skills have endeared her Sektor, her independent streak has not. Despite Sektor’s best efforts to break it. Cryax’s will remains untamed. She will serve the Lin Kuei on her terms, or not at all.”
Mortal Kombat 1 on X
Cyrax was originally introduced as a Cyborg in Mortal Kombat 3. The character was depicted as an Asian male in the animated series Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm. In 2011’s Mortal Kombat, the character was depicted as an African male.
Raiden and Cyrax in Mortal Kombat (2011), NetherRealm Studios
It’s unlikely this move will move the needle sales wise for the game. A report from Event Hubs claims the game is pacing well behind sales for Mortal Kombat 11. The outlet notes that Warner Bros. Games and NetherRealm Studios revealed the game had sold 4 million copies since it released in September 2023.
Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav said the game had sold nearly 3 million copies by the beginning of November 2023. He said during the company’s 2023 Q3 earnings call, “Mortal Kombat 1 has sold nearly 3 million copies since its launch in mid-September.”
This appears to be well behind the sales of Mortal Kombat 11. Collider reported in July 2021 that NetherRealm Studios revealed the game had sold 12 million copies just over two years after it had released. A press release in 2022, NetherRealm revealed the game had sold 15 million units two years after release.
A screenshot from Mortal Kombat 1 (2023), NetherRealm Studios
In fact, Mortal Kombat 11 is performing nearly identical to Mortal Kombat 1 when it comes to concurrent players. Mortal Kombat 1 had a peak concurrent player base of just 2,086 in the past 24 hours according to SteamDB.
In comparison, Mortal Kombat 11 had peak concurrent of 2,025 players in the last 24 hours.
SteamDB data showing Mortal Kombat 1 and Mortal Kombat 11
Furthermore, many gamers such as Minimal Effort Live believe that Sweet Baby Inc. was involved with the gender-swap of Cyrax for the Khaos Reigns DLC given the consultancy lists Warner Bros. Games as one of their clients. NetherRealm Studios, the developer of Mortal Kombat is owned by Warner Bros. Games.
While it is unclear if Sweet Baby Inc. worked on Khaos Reigns, a company called Lionbridge Games is listed in the original game’s credits albeit much of their work appears to be regarding the game’s various translations into other languages. However, the company appears to have very similar values to Sweet Baby Inc. and notes on its website, “The nature of our work—connecting our customers to global communities—is at the heart of our commitment to diversity. At Lionbridge, we actively seek out different points of view because we know it helps us deliver the best for our customers.”
The company adds, “We intentionally foster an environment where people of every race, ethnicity, social background, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation and ability are welcomed and feel valued. We are committed to providing a culture where everyone can thrive and grow, and to building an ever-more diverse and inclusive global team that’s empowered to be creative, to approach challenges unconventionally and to change lives through true human connection.”
A screenshot from Lionbridge’s website
Furthermore, the company claims its values include inclusivity, globalism, community, accountability, and communication. For inclusivity it states, “Cultivating an inclusive culture is central to our philosophy. We implement thoughtful policies designed to ensure an equitable environment for all.”
In its community section it writes, “Inclusion and diversity are pivotal elements in our community. We drive meaningful change by building, assessing and evolving our goals for hiring and retention. Learn more here.”
A screenshot from Lionbridge’s website
In fact, the company notes that one of the services that it provides is “measuring diversity on an ongoing basis to see how we are moving the needle.”
It also keeps “interview panels diverse and trained.”
A screenshot from Lionbridge’s website
It is also likely that the directive to gender swap the characters came from Warner Bros. itself without the assistance of a consultancy company like Sweet Baby Inc. Warner Bros. Discovery’s Chief Global Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer Asif Sadiq made it abundantly clear that the company was a proponent of DEI and even shared a tactic on how to get rid of critics and opponents of DEI from major corporations.
As reported by News Busters, Sadiq was a panelist for an Aspen Institute webinar titled The Future of DEI in Corporate America at the end of February.
During the panel Design Observer Editor-in-Chief Ellen McGirt stated, “We came up with this strategy, and I love it. It is: Find your people and ignore the person you cannot persuade. You know exactly who they are, and if you can’t bring yourself to do it because of your professional orientation, give it 30 days. Ignore them for 30 days. Don’t take the bait. Don’t send them the clip. Don’t send them the newsletter. Don’t send them the deck. Just focus on the people who are willing to do the work. The new arrivals to the work. The new leaders who are preparing, as we’ve talked about to be better allies, to be more vulnerable, to communicate better; work preparing them. … But absolutely do not get caught into that spin cycle of trying to persuade the most powerful person that you know who is not interested to be interested because they’re not coming. 30 days you can do it.”
Warner Bros. Discovery’s Chief Global Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer Asif Sadiq via TEDx Talks
Sadiq reacted to these comments saying, “And if I can just add on to that point because I think it’s such an important point. Even beyond leaders, there’s always those few people who will never change. You will never convince them. You can try up until the end of eternity and it will still not happen. We waste so much energy doing that sometimes as individuals whether you’re in a leadership position or in a team and so on.”
He continued, “Focus on the ones who want to change because that way you start changing culture. And if you change culture often those people who don’t come around will start saying this place isn’t the way it used to be and they’ll leave themselves, which is great!”
Mrs. Freeze in Pride Outfit Pack in Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League (2024), Rocksteady
He didn’t stop with sharing this tactic of pushing people out of the workplace, Newsbusters also reports he said, “I think this is a moment where people have to show up as actively being anti-racist.”
“And that requires going a bit further than saying, ‘That’s not me, so I’m just going to sit back.’ That requires you using your power, privilege and the positions you hold to try to create equity for marginalized groups, for historically marginalized groups and groups who haven’t had access, but that requires really stepping up,” he said. “And it’s showing up as well, showing up internally, showing up to even to the structures that DEI has put in place, whether its business resource groups, employee resource groups, events, showing up during this period of time for a leader is critical, because it shows that you care and you are willing to learn.”
Warner Bros. Discovery’s Chief Global Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer Asif Sadiq via TEDx Talks
Ironically, Sadiq has previously admitted his entire Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion division at Warner Bros. Discovery division has been a failure.
During an appearance at Royal Russel School Croydon, Sadiq discussed Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion departments and revealed companies in the United States spend over $8 billion on them.
He said, “Every organization trying to drive change, trying to create a workplace that’s more inclusive, a society that’s more inclusive. In the US alone $8 billion were spent on diversity training and many more billions globally to try and create that equity that everyone wants to see, feel in the workplace.”
He went on to reveal the programs are not successful, “It’s not driving the change that we want to see. We are not achieving the success that people want to feel in the workplace.”
Sadiq then explained why he believes these programs have failed and thus are a waste of $8 billion annually, “Why is that? Well, I argue that very training is biased. It’s built with stereotypes. It has assumptions. It’s not always diverse or inclusive. And many times it does the very opposite of inclusion.”
Amanda Waller in Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League (2024), Rocksteady
What do you make of Mortal Kombat and NetherRealm Studios gender swapping Cyrax and Sektor in their upcoming expansion for Mortal Kombat 1?
