The newest update for Mortal Kombat 11 sparked disappointment among players, not because it introduced fresh content or gameplay improvements, but because it redirected the main screen to Hogwarts Legacy advertisements. This shift in focus was highlighted by the Playground portal, which noted the change and its impact on user experience.
Upon starting Mortal Kombat 11, players now encounter the Hogwarts Legacy trailer alongside a direct link to the game’s store page. An eye-catching promotional poster for a title set in the Harry Potter universe sits persistently at the top of the screen. In the past, that prime space was reserved for promotions tied to Mortal Kombat-related products, making the current change feel like a branding misalignment for long-time fans.
Observers have pointed out that there is little in common between the fighting game and the magical world portrayed in Hogwarts Legacy. The only obvious link appears to be the publisher behind both brands, Warner Bros. Games, which has created a situation where the shared corporate umbrella overshadows the distinct identities of the two franchises. Notably, this kind of advertising appears unique to this publisher’s portfolio, as ads have not typically occupied similar prominent real estate in the publisher’s other games. The strategic question for players becomes whether this cross-promotion genuinely serves the user experience or merely leverages Warner Bros. Games’ broader marketing reach.
Earlier reports from Socialbites.ca claimed that authors of Hogwarts Legacy released a patch addressing arachnophobia concerns, which added another layer to the ongoing discussion about how news, updates, and accessibility features are presented to audiences across different games and platforms. (Playground portal) It is reasonable to view such patches as part of a broader conversation about inclusivity in modern gaming, even as the advertising strategy within Mortal Kombat 11 continues to draw scrutiny and debate among the player community. (Socialbites.ca attribution) The current situation illustrates how publishers balance cross promotion with user expectations, and it underscores the importance of maintaining a cohesive and respectful in-game environment for players across genres, eras, and fan communities.