#this is 101% a satirical tinfoil hat post btw. though I genuinely do Not get the creative process behind these changes

[shaolin-spin-doctor]

Netherrealm Studios didn't make Hanzo Hasashi a child and turn Kuai Liang into Scorpion in MK1 to shake up the narrative, try something new or explore the latter's previously underdeveloped relationship with Bi Han, but because the development of both Kuai and Hanzo in previous games had naturally evolved and acquired a homoerotic tone that NRS themselves had, unintentionally, fed with narrative and dialogue choices, and they realized they were already in too deep to back down in any way other than completely overhauling both characters from the ground up and ensuring there was no possible way for people to even suggest their relationship could be other than or move towards anything beyond simple acquaintance. This demonstrates cowardice on Netherrealm's part, as the intricacies Subzero and Scorpion's relationship had accidentally developed made plausible deniability harder as the story progressed, and risking the possibility of their mascots being perceived as a same sex couple, even if it was never made official, would probably hurt their bottom line, thus making it a huge no-go. By turning Kuai Liang into Scorpion and having Bi Han remain Subzero, all the while keeping their status as blood brothers despite their completely opposite powers, and by taking Hanzo out of the picture completely, they hoped to keep Subzero and Scorpion's trademark rivalry without risking any further "accidents" when it comes to their writing or perception of one another. In this essay I will