Category: Games

Bringing Scream’s Ghostface Into The Mortal Kombat 1 Universe

Joe EpsteinCombat Designer, NetherRealm Studios

Before we truly begin, a warning for movie fans! Although this article won’t spoil any specific events from the Scream franchise, and certainly won’t reveal any killer identities, it is not completely spoiler-free, as it’ll talk about traits that define Scream’s iconic recurring villain and how they influenced our design. If this is somehow your first exposure to this classic horror series, I highly recommend you go watch Scream – it’s great!

Yes, Ghostface will join the Mortal Kombat 1: Khaos Reigns roster on November 26 (with early access beginning on November 19). So, who is Ghostface? Ghostface is an assumed identity used by a string of loosely related, vengeful, psychopathic murderers. Aside from being, you know, serial killers, other consistent traits include donning the iconic costume while in the act, and taunting victims through a voice modulator (and you’ll be pleased to know that Roger L. Jackson, the actor behind the voice in the films, is also the voice of Ghostface in Mortal Kombat 1: Khaos Reigns). When going for kills, Ghostface attacks physically, favoring hunting knives but sometimes using something opportunistic from their surroundings. It makes this classic killer a perfect Kombatant.

To represent the core Ghostface ethos, we crafted the character in Mortal Kombat 1 based mostly on the original ‘Scream’, which revealed that there were multiple killers behind the mask. Teamwork is their most lethal weapon, and how they’re able to accomplish seemingly supernatural feats. Highlighting this was always intended to be a core aspect of bringing the character into our game.

Since the identity of Ghostface in the first ‘Scream’ film was in fact two knife-wielding high schoolers, we kept core functions very brawler and grappler-like. The goal of Paulo Garcia, Principal Designer at NetherRealm Studios, was to deliver perhaps the most throw-centered character in Mortal Kombat 1 thus far. It was grimly fun going through the various ‘Scream’ films and finding the most cringe-inducing up-close stab flurries to reference when designing, motion-capturing, and implementing successful grab attacks.

Many other moves directly hearken to various Ghostface appearances in the movies, like sprinting maniacally towards the intended victim and having a knife at the ready for lunging and pouncing. Ghostface can also dive to the ground and slither forward on belly and elbows, slashing at shin-height.

It’s quintessential horror fare for a villain to seem always able to spring up behind you, as if they have access to hidden hallways. Ghostface can use the Backstage Pass special move to briefly flee the fight before reappearing on either side of the screen, as though from an overlooked closet or secret passage. When using the Always Outnumbered special move, Ghostface produces a trusty ’90s-style brick cordless phone to call for help from another Ghostface. They’ll pop out conveniently right behind the opponent, ready with a jump-scare-worthy slash or grab. While Ghostface isn’t a straightforward zoning character, the Always Outnumbered special serves as an unusual long-range option all the same, and is a way to keep anxious zoners looking over their shoulders.

And these background Ghostface partners aren’t just there to help during a special move. The lead Ghostface can temporarily hand-off killer duties to a couple of other Ghostface characters. Using both the Backstage Pass and Always Outnumbered moves (among several others), it’s possible to temporarily swap in alternate Ghostface background characters, each with their own unique specialties.

They still use many of the same basic attacks—you usually can’t tell who’s under the robe, after all—but they may tip off their identities with the use of their own basic attacks and special moves. While the original Ghostface killer was a darkly overachieving teenager, otherGhostface characters come from different walks of life, and you may find some of their kombat techniques more polished, and even vaguely recognizable. One of the alternate Ghostfaces possesses special moves more tailored to aggressive striking combos, while another is a master of ranged attacks. It’ll be up to the Ghostface player to decide when to stick with the lead Ghostface or pass the bloody baton to killers waiting in the shadows!

Ghostface will be available on November 19 as part of the early access period for Mortal Kombat 1: Khaos Reigns Expansion owners on Xbox Series X|S, followed by wide availability for purchase on Nov. 26.