In an official post over at the Ultra Combo forums (aka the official Killer Instinct forum community), Microsoft and Iron Galaxy have unveiled new season 2 details - including when fresh content will premiere as well as pricing packages and pre-order incentives.
First off, let’s revisit the content that will be made available in season 2. According to the press release, season 2 will follow closely to the model established in season 1: Eight fighters (starting with TJ Combo and Maya at launch), select fighter costumes and accessory packs, as well as Killer Instinct 2 Classic (a perfect port of the arcade game with full multiplayer support for intense fighting over Xbox Live). As with season 1, season 2 will spread out the release of fighters (and costume/accessory packs), instead of releasing all of them at once, adding one new fighter each month - after the new season premieres on October 15th.
As for how players can purchase the season 2 content, Microsoft is using a very familiar pricing model - with the option to once again buy every piece of content via the Ultra Edition, all eight fighters (with no add-ons or Killer Instinct 2 Classic) via the Combo Breaker Edition, or purchase select fighters individually as they are released.
For the full breakdown, along with respective price points, check out the press release excerpt below:
As indicated by the “Content Early Access” bullet point, Microsoft is also providing added incentive for die-hard Killer Instinct fans to pre-order the Ultra Edition - giving anyone who purchases between September 23rd and October 14th early access to TJ Combo and Killer Instinct 2 Classic.
Eight fighters, starting with TJ Combo and Maya, and adding a new fighter each month Select fighter costumes and accessory packs Killer Instinct 2 Classic — a perfect port of the arcade game with full multiplayer support for intense fighting over Xbox Live Content Early Access — Customers who buy the Ultra Edition will get early access to characters and customization items before anyone else
Killer Instinct: Season 2 - Combo Breaker $19.99/16.99 Pounds/19.99 EURO
Eight fighters, starting with TJ Combo and Maya, and adding a new fighter each month
Players can also purchase Season 2 fighters individually as they are made available for $4.99/ 3.99 Pounds/4.99 EURO each
Maya joins TJ Combo as a playable fighter in season 2 but the jury is still out on which other fan-favorite characters might be returning to battle it out in the next generation of Killer Instinct. A number of iconic brawlers have yet to be included - meaning those final six spots could see the return of Cinder (who has already been teased), Riptor, Kim Wu, and/or Tusk, not to mention former bosses Eyedol and Gargos. Given that Killer Instinct season 1 added only one newcomer, Sadira (not including the Shadow Jago variant), it’s possible that most of the series’ former roster will be revisited by the end of season 2 - with one or two exception. After all, even though Killer Instinct was a staple of gaming arcades in the 1990s, the franchise only produced a total of 15 characters (including bosses) prior to its Xbox One relaunch.
For that reason, it’s equally possible that season 2 will result in a more balanced mix of new and old combatants - so that Iron Galaxy can withhold a few classic characters for the inevitable Killer Instinct season 3.
MORE: Killer Instinct Season 1 Review
Killer Instinct is slated to kick-off Season 2 on October 15, 2014.
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Source: Killer Instinct Official Forums
