One of the biggest and most surprising announcements to come out of The Game Awards 2018 yesterday was Mortal Kombat 11, the latest entry in the long-running and once controversial fighting game series. Following the game's announcement, a press release was sent out that divulged new information about one of Mortal Kombat 11's most notable features: its custom character variation system.

This custom character variation system seems to be the natural evolution of Mortal Kombat X's pre-set character variations. According to the developers, Mortal Kombat 11 lets players build their own customized versions of each character with unique attacks and special moves. This is certainly an interesting addition for the game, and one that could possibly have a noticeable impact on the competitive scene if custom characters are allowed.

We also got confirmation that Mortal Kombat 11 will be playable at the community reveal event on January 17 and that NeatherRealm will be hosting a keynote before it begins. Ed Boon, Creative Director at NetherRealm Studios, discussed this new system as well as the game's announcement and upcoming community event:

"It’s exciting to finally announce Mortal Kombat 11 and showcase what the team has been working on. Our Custom Character Variation System opens up an infinite amount of options for players to personalize their favorite fighters. We can’t wait until January when we’ll be showing more of the game."

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment President David Haddad echoed that same sentiment in his comment on Mortal Kombat 11's reveal:

"By giving players more creative control, Mortal Kombat 11 is a testament to why this iconic franchise is so strong and increasingly relevant after more than 25 years. This game showcases NetherRealm Studios’ extensive talent to innovate and create epic experiences for the Mortal Kombat fans and new players alike."

You can watch the reveal trailer again below for reference. Mortal Kombat 11 will release for PC, PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch on April 23, 2016. You can be sure that DualShockers will let you know as soon as NeatherRealm and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment reveal more about the fighting game. If you want to learn about some of the other new titles that were announced during The Game Awards 2018, you can check out DualShockers' list of every new game revealed.