A Mortal Kombat Legend Is Leaving NetherRealm Studios

Dan Forden, who has directed audio for Midway and NetherRealm Studios for many years, is closely associated with Mortal Kombat. He became famous for his memorable “Toasty!” line, which first appeared in Mortal Kombat II in 1993. After 36 years with the studio – which he joined in 1989 – Forden has announced he is leaving.

Forden announced the news on his Instagram, posting a photo that referenced his initial “Toasty!” appearance.

Forden announced that Wednesday was his final day at NetherRealm. He reflected on the many enjoyable projects they created together, expressing pride in both the accomplishments and the fun they had during the process. He highlighted the intelligence and talent of his colleagues, predicting continued success from the studio in the years to come. He fondly remembered small details around the studio, like the Toasty homage in the bathroom. Forden emphasized that his 37-year career wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the fans, and he expressed gratitude for everyone who enjoyed their work. He concluded with a playful, “Live long and… Toasty!”

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A post shared by Dan Forden (@dwforden)

Forden explained his decision to leave in a comment, stating, “I felt I had been here long enough and wanted to dedicate more time to my personal interests.”

A compilation of some of Forden’s first games in the series, titled Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection, is launching on consoles and PC on December 12th. This collection will also feature two spin-off titles-Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero and Mortal Kombat Special Forces-which have been difficult to find since the PlayStation 1 days.

At the beginning of this year, NetherRealm Studios announced that they won’t be releasing any further downloadable content for Mortal Kombat 1. The studio hasn’t yet revealed what game they’re working on next. However, a commemorative art book titled Mortal Kombat: Flawless Victory is scheduled to launch on October 21. It was initially planned to coincide with the release of Mortal Kombat 2, but the film’s release has been delayed until May 15, 2026.

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2025-10-03 19:10