Faction-based multiplayer might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think Mortal Kombat, but that's exactly what developer NetherRealm is adding to the latest incarnation of the series.
Revealed in the latest trailer for the upcoming game, Mortal Kombat X's Faction Wars mode will see players pledge allegiance to one of five factions, each of which will compete against its rivals in a weekly battle for dominance.
You can choose to fight (and dismember) for; The Black Dragon, The Brotherhood of Shadow, Lin Kuei, Special Forces and The White Lotus. Each of these is a force for good or evil in the wider MK universe, and players can complete challenges, battle special characters and so on to help them win the day. At the end of each week the winning group will be revealed.
Ranking up in your chosen faction will give you access to unique rewards, including, if the trailer's anything to go by, specific faction fatalities. Even playing the regular one versus one or story modes earns you rank points. Finally, NetherRealm will kick off random invasions every week, which will see the Faction Wars mode hijacked by one of the powerful Chaos realms - though what such an invasion actually consists of isn't fully explained.
Mortal Kombat X is due out on PC and consoles on April 14 this year. Last week NetherRealm revealed the minimum and recommended specs you'll need to play it.
