After over 30 years, audio director Dan Forden has departed from the Mortal Kombat team at NetherRealm. Forden is well-known for his iconic catchphrase “Toasty!” during gameplay.
Career Highlights
Dan Forden announced on October 2 that his last day at NetherRealm was that Wednesday. He has contributed to every mainline Mortal Kombat entry, starting with the original game released in 1992 and continuing through to 2023. Before joining NetherRealm, Forden worked at Midway Chicago, the studio that originally developed the series.
Forden’s catchphrase “Toasty!” became a beloved Easter egg, appearing in nearly every subsequent game in the franchise, including spin-offs and modern entries. Known online as “Toasty Dan,” he has left a significant legacy in the gaming community.
Reflections and Future Plans
In his Instagram post, Forden expressed pride in the work accomplished during his time at NetherRealm. He stated, “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.” He acknowledged the talented team at NetherRealm and encouraged fans to look for more great things in the future.
Forden shared a photo of a bathroom mirror at the studio, featuring a sticker of him yelling “Toasty!” He appreciated the small touches left by colleagues. He concluded his post with gratitude for the fans, saying, “Thanks to all of you for supporting what we’ve done. Live long and…Toasty!”
