Where’s Raiden? Unpacking the Absence of the Thunder God in Mortal Kombat 3
Raiden, the god of thunder and protector of Earthrealm, is a staple of the Mortal Kombat franchise. His absence from Mortal Kombat 3 (MK3) was a glaring omission that sparked considerable debate and speculation among fans. The reasons behind this decision are multifaceted, involving character selection trends, narrative choices, and the shifting roster dynamics within the game’s development. While the exact combination of factors remains debated, the primary reason is a blend of popularity metrics and roster diversification leading to a need for fresh faces. In short, he was considered less popular than other characters, and the developers needed to make room for new additions within the constraints of the arcade hardware.
Unveiling the Roster Choices for MK3
The Mortal Kombat series is known for its ever-evolving roster, introducing new characters while sometimes sidelining established ones. MK3 was no exception. The game featured a significant overhaul of the character lineup, with several mainstays being replaced by new fighters like Kabal, Stryker, and Sheeva.
Popularity and Character Selection Statistics
One of the most significant reasons for Raiden’s exclusion was his relatively low popularity in Mortal Kombat II (MKII). According to Ed Boon, co-creator of the Mortal Kombat franchise, the arcade machines tracked character selection rates. Raiden, along with Johnny Cage and Baraka, were among the least selected characters in MKII. This data influenced the decision to prioritize other characters for MK3.
Narrative and Story Considerations
The Mortal Kombat storyline has always been a central element of the series. In the narrative of MK3, Earthrealm is under siege by Shao Kahn’s forces. Raiden, in the lore, sacrifices his immortality to aid Earthrealm’s warriors, but his physical presence as a playable character was deemed less crucial than introducing new heroes and villains who would drive the story forward. The focus shifted to characters like Liu Kang, Sonya Blade, and Sub-Zero, along with the new additions, to battle Shao Kahn’s invasion.
Technical Constraints and Character Development
In the early days of arcade gaming, technical limitations played a significant role in character selection. Each character required a substantial amount of memory for their sprites, animations, and special moves. By removing less popular characters like Raiden, the developers could allocate resources to creating new characters and enhancing the gameplay experience.
Recycled Sprites in Mortal Kombat Trilogy
While Raiden was absent from MK3, he did return in Mortal Kombat Trilogy, which was released later. However, this version of Raiden primarily utilized recycled sprites from MKII, along with some new sprites performed by Sal Divita. This reuse of existing assets allowed the developers to include Raiden without the extensive development time and resources that a completely new character would have required.
FAQs: Delving Deeper into Raiden and MK3
Here are some frequently asked questions that provide further insight into Raiden’s absence from MK3 and related topics within the Mortal Kombat universe:
1. Why wasn’t Scorpion in Mortal Kombat 3?
Scorpion was absent from MK3 due to the developers’ decision to reduce the number of ninjas in the game. The rationale behind this decision was to diversify the character roster and introduce new fighting styles and personalities. Sub-Zero was the only ninja retained, partly because he was unmasked and had a more distinct identity in the MK3 storyline.
2. Why is Raiden not a god in Mortal Kombat 1 (MK1)?
In the new timeline presented in MK1, Liu Kang, now a God Protector, chooses to make Raiden a mortal champion of Earthrealm. This decision was based on the idea that a mortal life would help Raiden avoid the darker path he had previously taken due to his anger.
3. Why wasn’t Johnny Cage in Mortal Kombat 3?
Like Raiden, Johnny Cage was cut due to low selection rates in MKII. The developers prioritized characters that players chose more frequently to maximize the appeal of MK3. He was considered among the least popular.
4. Why did Raiden sacrifice his immortality?
In the storyline of Mortal Kombat Trilogy, Raiden sacrifices his immortality to better fight against Shao Kahn. He felt compelled to take more direct action after the Elder Gods refused to intervene directly.
5. Why was Liu Kang mad at Raiden?
In earlier timelines, Liu Kang’s anger towards Raiden stemmed from Raiden’s actions that led to significant losses, including the deaths of Kung Lao and Kitana. Liu Kang believed that Raiden’s decisions had devastating consequences.
6. Why did Raiden become Dark Raiden?
Raiden’s transformation into Dark Raiden occurred because he was disillusioned with humanity and believed that he needed to take a more aggressive approach to protect Earthrealm. His patience was exhausted, leading him to adopt a more ruthless and authoritarian stance.
7. Why weren’t Sonya and Kano in Mortal Kombat II?
Sonya and Kano were excluded from MKII due to memory constraints and low popularity in the original Mortal Kombat. The developers needed to make room for new characters, and Sonya and Kano were deemed expendable based on character selection data.
8. Why does Liu Kang hate Raiden in some timelines?
Liu Kang’s animosity towards Raiden arises from his perception that Raiden had lost his way and become a danger to Earthrealm. Liu Kang saw Dark Raiden as a monster and believed that Raiden’s actions perpetuated a cycle of violence and suffering.
9. Why does Shao Kahn hate Raiden?
Shao Kahn views Raiden as a primary obstacle to his plans to conquer Earthrealm. Raiden serves as the guardian of Earthrealm, actively resisting Shao Kahn’s attempts at invasion and domination.
10. Who killed the Shirai Ryu?
Quan Chi was responsible for the massacre of the Shirai Ryu clan, manipulating events to pit Scorpion against Sub-Zero. This deception fueled Scorpion’s quest for revenge and his eternal rivalry with Sub-Zero.
11. Why do Sub-Zero and Scorpion hate each other?
The rivalry between Sub-Zero and Scorpion is rooted in their allegiances to opposing clans. Scorpion was a member of the Shirai Ryu, while Sub-Zero belonged to the Lin Kuei. Quan Chi manipulated them into believing that the other was responsible for the death of their families and clans, intensifying their hatred.
12. Who played Sub-Zero in MK3?
John Turk played both Shang Tsung and Sub-Zero in MK3. The use of a single actor for multiple characters was a common practice in the early Mortal Kombat games to optimize resources.
13. What happened to Mileena in the Mortal Kombat storyline?
In the Mortal Kombat X storyline, Mileena was overthrown by Kotal Kahn and subsequently executed by D’vorah. Her death removed her from the Mortal Kombat 11 storyline until her return as a DLC character.
14. Which characters are not in Mortal Kombat 1?
While some characters make brief appearances in the story mode, Sheeva and Kotal Kahn do not have direct roles in Mortal Kombat 1. The game focuses on a different set of characters and a new timeline.
15. Why did Quan Chi turn white?
In the new Mortal Kombat 1 timeline, Quan Chi’s skin turns white after Ashrah stops the soul stealer, and one of the escaped souls attacks him. This transformation is unique to the MK1 storyline.
Continuing Legacy and Impact of Raiden
Despite his absence from MK3, Raiden remains one of the most iconic and recognizable characters in the Mortal Kombat franchise. His future iterations and appearances always cause a stir. His exclusion from MK3 was a strategic decision driven by data, narrative needs, and technical considerations. This is not unusual in the games industry. To learn more about the history of character design in games, visit the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.
Understanding the reasoning behind these choices provides insight into the complexities of game development and the evolution of the Mortal Kombat universe.