A true titan of the gaming world, Dan Forden, the legendary audio director at Midway and later NetherRealm Studios, is stepping away after an illustrious 36-year journey. Forden’s name has become synonymous with the Mortal Kombat franchise, largely thanks to his unforgettable ‘Toasty!’ exclamation that first surprised players in 1993’s Mortal Kombat II.
Forden shared his departure news via Instagram, posting a heartfelt message alongside an image that paid homage to his famous ‘Toasty!’ cameo. In his statement, he reflected on his time with the studio: “Wednesday was my last day at NetherRealm. We made a lot of fun stuff over the years. I’m really proud of what we accomplished as well as how much fun we had making that stuff. There are so many smart, talented people there–look for more great things to emerge over the next several years.”
He also expressed immense gratitude to the fanbase, acknowledging their role in his enduring career: “I love the little touches that people left around the studio like this little Toasty homage on the bathroom mirror. I wouldn’t have lasted 37 years in the industry if fans weren’t out there playing the games we made. Thanks to all of you for supporting what we’ve done. Live long and… Toasty!”
When pressed for a reason behind his decision in the comments, Forden simply stated, “I figured I’d been around long enough. Want to reclaim that time for my own interests.” It seems the veteran developer is ready to explore new horizons.
Forden’s extensive work with the franchise will soon be celebrated in the upcoming Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection, set to launch on consoles and PC on December 12. This collection will impressively include rare spin-offs like Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero and Mortal Kombat Special Forces, titles that have been largely unavailable since the PlayStation 1 era.
In other Mortal Kombat news, NetherRealm Studios confirmed earlier this year that no further DLC is planned for Mortal Kombat 1, leaving fans eagerly awaiting their next project announcement. Additionally, an art book retrospective titled Mortal Kombat: Flawless Victory is slated for an October 21 release. Fans of the cinematic universe will also note that the theatrical sequel to Mortal Kombat 2 has been rescheduled for May 15, 2026. An image gallery is available exploring details about the upcoming Mortal Kombat 2 movie.