How Mortal Kombat Creates Its Disgusting Gore Sounds

There isn't much left to say about the Mortal Kombat universe at this point. Fans show their devotion with independent games (you definitely shouldn't miss Defenders of the Earth nor Outworld Assassins) and with curious productions that laugh in the face of Hollywood, but today we're going to explore its technical side. Mortal Kombat has stepped up its violence in recent years, and that demanded an evolution both in visuals and in sound. So how do they achieve those effects of bodies split in half, heads ripped off with punches, amputations, and other horrors during the fights?

Any movie can be a visual delight... and end up wasted if it isn't accompanied by a good soundtrack. Audio quality is especially important in some genres, horror being the most notable. Imagine the average zombie invasion. They scream, groan, rot as they walk, tear off flesh and brains, chew, devour. The sounds must be convincing and chilling at the same time, no exceptions. The trick? Use all kinds of materials: fruits, vegetables, chicken meat, and even wet towels.

Now, what about video games? It wouldn't be far-fetched to think the demands are even greater. If anything is wrong with the audio, players will find it, and they'll be ruthless with their comments. Today we'll study the case of the Mortal Kombat saga. Its fatalities and other specific attacks are a feast for the eyes, but more than once we've wondered how they make those disgusting sounds. After all, those deaths are brutal...

The sounds of Mortal Kombat

To find out, nothing better than a visit to the headquarters of NetherRealm Studios (the masterminds behind everything MK) in the city of Chicago. There, the folks at VICE discovered that there's no big difference between creating sounds for MK and for zombie movies. The recording environment is relatively small, and its tools are simple (knives, hammers). Walnuts, green peppers, grapefruits, and even bananas are very useful in developing disgusting sounds.

The rest of the work is done in front of the computer. The sounds are processed, amplified, and distorted until they get an effect compatible with the damage on screen. Every session has creativity, trial and error, and I dare say a lot of fun. Would you like to do something similar? If the answer is yes, you can improvise a small studio, or start with ready-made sounds.