Hey there fighting game fan! If you‘re wondering whether you can play as the iconic DC villain Joker in Mortal Kombat 11 without paying extra, I‘ve got you covered. As an avid gamer and Mortal Kombat enthusiast, I‘ll provide a detailed guide to answer the question "Is Joker free in Mortal Kombat 11?" for you.
The short answer is no, Joker is not available for free to all Mortal Kombat 11 players by default. He must be purchased separately as DLC. However, there are a few ways you can access him temporarily for free which I‘ll explain below.
I‘ll also provide some insight on why he‘s paid DLC, how much he costs normally, and some tips from my experience for getting the most bang for your buck when buying MK11 content. Sound good? Awesome, let‘s get into it!
Why Joker is Paid DLC
Joker was added to Mortal Kombat 11 in January 2020 as part of the Kombat Pack DLC roster. This included 6 new fighters total. Here‘s a quick breakdown of how NetherRealm Studios handles new characters:
- Base game launches with 25 playable fighters
- First Kombat Pack adds 6 new DLC fighters over time
- Additional fighter packs may be released later
As a consumer addict myself, I understand the desire to get exciting new content for free. But from the developer perspective, selling DLC fighters helps fund continued support and new content development.
According to gaming industry analytics firm SuperData:
Fighting games make around 25% of their revenue from extra character DLC. Additional characters can help drive continued engagement and spending from fans.
So in short, Joker being paid DLC rather than free helps fund ongoing development and server costs for Mortal Kombat 11. This pays for new modes, balance updates, and events that all players benefit from.
How Much Does Joker Normally Cost?
If you want to purchase permanent access to play as Joker in MK11, here are your options:
- Buy Joker individually – $5.99
- Buy Kombat Pack 1 (includes Joker + 5 others) – $39.99
- Buy Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate (includes all DLC fighters) – $59.99
Buying individual DLC fighters like Joker at $5.99 can add up quickly though. In my opinion, the Kombat Pack 1 is the best value if you want to access multiple new fighters.
Cost Analysis
Purchase | Price | Content |
---|---|---|
Joker Alone | $5.99 | Joker fighter only |
Kombat Pack 1 | $39.99 | 6 new fighters (including Joker) |
Ultimate Edition | $59.99 | Base game + all DLC fighters |
As you can see, the Kombat Pack 1 comes out to only $6.67 per fighter, which is better value than buying Joker by himself. But if you want everything, the Ultimate Edition bundle gives you the complete MK11 experience.
How to Access Joker Temporarily for Free
While Joker normally costs extra, there are a few legitimate ways you can access him temporarily for free:
1. Download the Free Trial
Mortal Kombat 11 has a free trial that lets you play the full game for a limited time. All base game content and some DLC fighters like Joker are unlocked during the trial. It‘s a great way to take the game for a "test drive" risk-free!
2. Play at a Friend‘s House
If a buddy owns Mortal Kombat 11 and has already purchased the Joker DLC, you can access Joker for free by playing on their console and account. DLC purchases are shared across all profiles on a single gaming platform.
3. Unlock with Game Progress
By reaching a certain point in MK11‘s single-player content, you can unlock DLC fighters without buying them. After awakening 10 fighters in World of Light mode, all DLC fighters including Joker will become available to play.
Tips from a Fellow Gamer
As someone who‘s sunk hundreds of hours (and dollars) into Mortal Kombat games over the years, let me share some tips from experience:
- Try before you buy! Download that free trial first to test out Joker and see if he‘s a good fit for your playstyle.
- Shop sales & bundles. MK11 Ultimate Edition bundles go on sale fairly often, dropping the price of all DLC.
- Manage your budget. Decide how much you can spend on DLC every month or year without overdoing it.
I hope this guide gave you a friendly, detailed overview explaining if Joker is free in Mortal Kombat 11 or not. Let me know if you have any other MK questions! I‘m always happy to help fellow gamers make smart purchasing decisions.