After over 30 years, Dan Forden, the longtime audio director of Mortal Kombat, is no longer part of the team working on the fighting series. The veteran game developer, known for his iconic “Toasty!” catchphrase when uppercutting someone in a Mortal Kombat game, has bid farewell to NetherRealm. On October 2, Forden announced on Instagram that Wednesday marked his final day at the WB-owned studio responsible for the Mortal Kombat franchise. Forden had previously been a part of Midway Chicago, the precursor to NetherRealm and the original developer of the Mortal Kombat games. He has contributed to every mainline entry in the series, starting from 1992’s Mortal Kombat all the way up to 2023’s Mortal Kombat 1.
The man behind the Toasty Dan persona, Forden gained fame for his appearances in Mortal Kombat II, where he would pop up in the corner of the screen and exclaim “Toasty!” in his distinctive voice. This Easter egg became a staple in subsequent games, including spin-offs and modern releases. Now, Toasty Dan has decided to leave behind the franchise he helped shape over the past few decades. In his Instagram post, Forden expressed gratitude for the experiences at NetherRealm, stating, “We made a lot of fun stuff over the years. I’m really proud of what we accomplished as well as how much fun we had making that stuff. There are so many smart, talented people there – look for more great things to emerge over the next several years.”
Forden also shared a photo on Instagram of what seems to be a studio bathroom, featuring a sticker of himself yelling his famous catchphrase from MKII on the mirror. He appreciated these “little touches” left around the studio by others. Reflecting on his career, Forden acknowledged the fans for their support, stating, “I wouldn’t have lasted 37 years in the industry if fans weren’t out there playing the games we made. Thanks to all of you for supporting what we’ve done. Live long and…Toasty!” As Forden moves on to new endeavors, fans of Mortal Kombat will surely miss the familiar “Toasty!” shout that has been a part of the franchise for so long.
