Just a day before the
Final Kombat 2020 major was scheduled to kickoff, NetherRealm announced some pretty significant changes, with the biggest shocker being that there would be no live-audience for the final round. In addition, the opportunity to play your way into the tournament via the
Last Chance Qualifier was also canceled. Only the 16-contestants and essential staff will be allowed to enter the Park West venue as concerns about COVID-19 continue to strengthen here in the U.S. While there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Illinois, the tournament was expected to attract fans and contestants from all around the globe.
However, the last-minute decision has left many Mortal Kombat 11 fans frustrated as some have stated that they've already arrived in Chicago (it's estimated that as many as 150 Last Chance Qualifier hopefuls are/were already in Chicago). Furthermore, while refunds for admission to the event are being offered, it's unclear what's being done about non-refundable flights and hotel accommodations. NetherRealm has set up an email account at
[email protected] and is asking fans with those two predicaments to get in touch.
With last month's PAX East seeing lower attendance from developers, GDC 2020's cancelation and now Final Kombat 2020 being significantly downgraded, one has to wonder if E3 will be the next major event to be canceled due to COVID-19.