- The Interview That Sparked Crossover Hype
- Why Mortal Kombat Fits Invincible's Universe
- What the Devs Said: Quotes and Reactions
- A History of Guest Fighters in Modern Fighting Games
- What This Means for Invincible VS's Future
The Interview That Sparked Crossover Hype
Las Vegas was buzzing at Evo 2026, the world’s biggest fighting game tournament. In a crowded press room, two developers from the upcoming game Invincible VS sat down for an interview. They could barely contain their excitement when the conversation turned to guest characters from Mortal Kombat.
Game director Dave Hall and lead combat designer Bau Bautista leaned forward in their chairs. Their eyes lit up. Hall didn’t hesitate. “I’m not going to say no to Scorpion,” he said with a grin. Bautista nodded along, clearly sharing the enthusiasm.
The interview, conducted by IGN, quickly became one of the most talked-about moments of the event. Fans online started buzzing about what a crossover between Invincible and Mortal Kombat could look like. While no official deal has been announced, the developers’ openness was a clear signal: they want this to happen.
Hall and Bautista were careful not to promise anything concrete. They stressed that any guest character would need to fit naturally into Invincible’s world. But their words left little doubt that they see Mortal Kombat as a perfect match.
“I think for us, the Invincible universe is just such a beautiful, violent universe that they would have to fit that,” Hall explained. He then laughed and added, “I wouldn’t want to put Mario or Luigi in there. That’d be cool, don’t get me wrong, but I don’t want to rip his head off.”
That line got a big laugh from the room. It also made the point clear: Invincible VS is a game built around graphic violence and dark superhero themes. Characters from softer worlds wouldn’t work. But a character like Scorpion, a hell-spawned ninja with a spear and a thirst for revenge, fits right in.
Why Mortal Kombat Fits Invincible’s Universe
Invincible VS is based on the popular comic book and TV series created by Robert Kirkman. The story follows Mark Grayson, a teenager who inherits superpowers from his father, Omni-Man. But the series is famous for its brutal, no-holds-barred violence. Characters get torn apart, blood flies, and no one is safe.
Mortal Kombat has built a 30-year legacy on exactly that kind of gore. The franchise is known for its “fatalities” – finishing moves where fighters rip out spines, set opponents on fire, or slice them in half. The two properties share a love for over-the-top, unapologetic violence.
Bautista pointed out that the Invincible comics themselves have a long history of crossovers. Over the years, the series has featured guest appearances from characters like Spider-Man, Batman, and even the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. “Invincible has always been a universe that welcomes crossovers,” Bautista said. “It’s part of its DNA.”
That history makes the idea of guest characters in the fighting game feel natural. The developers aren’t trying to force something that doesn’t belong. They’re following a tradition that the source material already established.
From a gameplay perspective, Invincible VS uses a fast-paced, combo-heavy system that rewards aggression. Mortal Kombat characters, with their teleport moves, projectiles, and brutal strikes, would slot into that system without much trouble. Scorpion’s iconic “Get over here!” spear grab could become a devastating special move. His teleport punch would let him close distance quickly. And his hellfire attacks would fit the game’s already explosive visual style.
Other Mortal Kombat fighters like Sub-Zero, with his ice powers, or Raiden, the thunder god, could also work well. Their abilities are flashy and violent, matching the tone of Invincible VS perfectly.
What the Devs Said: Quotes and Reactions
The interview gave fans plenty of memorable quotes. Here are some of the most striking moments from the conversation.
When asked directly about adding a Mortal Kombat character, Hall said: “I’m not going to say no to Scorpion. That would be awesome.” The crowd in the room cheered. Bautista added, “We love NetherRealm Studios. They’re the best at what they do. If there’s ever a chance to work with them, we’d jump at it.”
Hall also praised the trend of guest characters in modern fighting games. “Look at Street Fighter 6 with Terry Bogard, or Tekken 8 with Yujiro Hanma. Those crossovers bring in new players and excite the whole community. We want that energy for Invincible VS.”
The developers were careful to say that nothing is confirmed. “We have a lot of plans for post-launch content,” Hall explained. “Guest characters are something we’re very interested in, but we have to make sure they fit the world and our development schedule.”
Bautista echoed that sentiment. “We don’t want to rush something just for hype. If we do a crossover, we want to do it right. That means respecting both franchises and making sure the character feels like they belong.”
Beyond Mortal Kombat, the developers also mentioned other dream guests. In a separate interview with MMORPG.com, they expressed interest in adding Spider-Man as DLC. “Spider-Man is a classic Invincible crossover from the comics,” Bautista said. “It would be amazing to have him in the game.” That comment shows that the team is thinking broadly about which characters could join the roster.
But for now, Scorpion remains the most talked-about possibility. The combination of his iconic status and his violent abilities makes him the obvious first choice.
A History of Guest Fighters in Modern Fighting Games
Guest characters are nothing new in fighting games. In fact, they’ve become a major selling point for many recent titles. Capcom’s Street Fighter 6 added Terry Bogard from the Fatal Fury series. Bandai Namco’s Tekken 8 included Yujiro Hanma from the manga Baki the Grappler. Both crossovers were huge hits with fans.
Mortal Kombat itself has a long tradition of guest characters. NetherRealm Studios, the developer behind the series, has added fighters from horror movies like Jason Voorhees, Freddy Krueger, and Leatherface. They’ve also included characters from other games, such as the Terminator and RoboCop. These guests often become fan favorites because they bring a different flavor to the roster.
For Invincible VS, following this trend makes sense. The game is a new IP in the fighting game space, and it needs to stand out. Adding a beloved character like Scorpion could attract players who might not otherwise pick up the game. It also generates huge buzz on social media and in gaming news.
Eurogamer recently reviewed Invincible VS and called it “one of the most deftly designed fighting games in years.” That positive reception means the game already has a strong foundation. A crossover with Mortal Kombat could push it into the mainstream spotlight.
The fighting game community is used to crossovers now. Fans expect them. When a new game launches, one of the first questions is always: “Who will be the guest characters?” Invincible VS is no exception. The developers’ openness to the idea is a smart move. It shows they understand what players want.
What This Means for Invincible VS’s Future
The interview at Evo 2026 gives a clear picture of the developers’ ambitions. They want Invincible VS to be more than just a one-off game. They see it as a platform that can grow over time, with new characters, stages, and crossovers.
Adding a Mortal Kombat guest would be a major milestone. It would signal that Invincible VS is being taken seriously by other major studios. It would also open the door for more crossovers down the line. If Scorpion joins the roster, other characters from other franchises might follow.
The game’s release timeline has been confirmed by IGN India. The global release is set for later this year. That means the developers are focused on finishing the base game first. Post-launch content, including potential guest characters, would come after that.
Hall hinted at a season pass model. “We have a lot of ideas for DLC,” he said. “Some of them are original characters, some are guests. We want to keep supporting the game for a long time.”
For fans, this is exciting news. It means the game isn’t just a one-and-done release. The developers are committed to adding content over time. And if the early enthusiasm for a Mortal Kombat crossover is any indication, they’ll be listening closely to what players want.
There’s also the possibility of a two-way crossover. NetherRealm Studios has shown interest in bringing characters from other universes into Mortal Kombat. Would they ever add an Invincible character to a future Mortal Kombat game? That’s pure speculation for now, but the door is open.
Potential Challenges and Dream Matchups
Of course, making a crossover happen isn’t simple. There are legal and licensing hurdles. Both Invincible VS and Mortal Kombat are owned by different companies. Invincible is published by Image Comics and developed by a studio working with Skybound Entertainment. Mortal Kombat is owned by Warner Bros. Games. Getting both sides to agree on terms takes time and money.
The developers didn’t mention any specific obstacles in the interview. But anyone who follows the gaming industry knows that crossovers can be complicated. Even when both parties are willing, negotiations can fall through. That’s why Hall and Bautista were careful not to promise anything definite.
Another challenge is balance. Guest characters need to fit into the game’s mechanics without being too strong or too weak. Scorpion would have to be designed carefully to make sure he’s fun to play and fair to fight against. The developers seem confident in their ability to handle that. “We have a great team,” Bautista said. “If we get the chance, we’ll make it work.”
Beyond Scorpion, fans have already started dreaming up other matchups. Imagine Omni-Man facing off against Shao Kahn. Picture Invincible trading blows with Liu Kang. Or think about Atom Eve using her matter manipulation against Sub-Zero’s ice. The possibilities are endless.
The developers mentioned Spider-Man as another dream guest. That would be a more traditional superhero matchup, but it still fits the Invincible universe’s tone. Spider-Man’s acrobatic fighting style would contrast nicely with the game’s heavy hitters.
But for now, Scorpion remains the star of the conversation. His name came up multiple times during the interview. Hall’s quote, “I’m not going to say no to Scorpion,” has already become a rallying cry for fans who want to see him in the game.
The ball is now in the court of the developers and the publishers. Will they make the deal happen? Only time will tell. But one thing is clear: the Invincible VS team is ready and willing. They’ve said so themselves.
As Evo 2026 wrapped up, the buzz around Invincible VS only grew. The game already had strong reviews and a dedicated fanbase. Now, with the promise of a possible Mortal Kombat crossover, it has something even bigger: hope. Hope that two of the most violent worlds in gaming could collide in a spectacular way.
For now, fans will have to wait. But the developers have given them plenty to talk about. And if the excitement at Evo was any measure, the wait will be worth it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Invincible VS developers open to a Mortal Kombat crossover?
Yes, the developers of Invincible VS are very open to the idea of a Mortal Kombat crossover. Game director Dave Hall specifically mentioned Scorpion as a character he would like to include.
Why would Mortal Kombat characters fit into the Invincible universe?
Both Invincible and Mortal Kombat are known for their graphic violence and dark themes. Developers feel characters like Scorpion, with his violent abilities, would fit naturally into the game's world.
What did the Invincible VS developers say about Scorpion?
Dave Hall stated he would not say no to Scorpion appearing in the game and that it would be awesome. Bau Bautista also expressed enthusiasm for working with NetherRealm Studios, the creators of Mortal Kombat.
Is a Mortal Kombat crossover confirmed for Invincible VS?
No, an official deal has not been announced. The developers are interested, but they stressed that any guest character must fit the world and their development schedule.
What other characters have been discussed for Invincible VS?
Beyond Mortal Kombat, the developers have also expressed interest in adding Spider-Man as DLC, noting his history of crossovers in the Invincible comics.
Why are guest characters popular in fighting games?
Guest characters have become a major selling point for fighting games. Crossovers can bring in new players and excite the existing community, adding energy to the game.
How would Mortal Kombat characters play in Invincible VS?
Developers believe Mortal Kombat characters would fit well with Invincible VS's fast-paced, combo-heavy gameplay. Abilities like Scorpion's spear grab or teleport punch could be effective special moves.
