Injustice 3 rumor: playtest in Culver City with $250 payout

According to Game Rant, the test was held in Culver City, California, on September 14 and 15, with a $250 payout for a four-hour session.

The listing reportedly sought experienced players who rank in the top 25% of a major 2D fighting game, with examples including Street Fighter 6, Guilty Gear Strive, Granblue Fantasy Versus, and The King of Fighters.

What happened

Game Rant reported on a now-removed listing from Good Gamer Group for an unannounced AAA 2D fighting game. The post did not explicitly mention Injustice 3, NetherRealm Studios, or Warner Bros. Games. The connection to Injustice 3 therefore does not come from an official announcement, but from the reported test format, location, and broader expectations around a possible new NetherRealm project.

The reported test location was Culver City, California, which is near Warner Bros. Discovery offices. That detail has strengthened speculation that the project could be from NetherRealm Studios, but there has been no official confirmation. The location matters because Warner Bros. Games publishes the Injustice series, although the listing itself reportedly did not name a studio or title.

According to the report, the tests were scheduled for September 14 and 15. Participants would receive $250 for four hours of testing, indicating a paid in-person playtest for experienced players. That amount and duration suggest a focused session rather than an open public test. The combination of a fixed payout and a short testing window fits a controlled evaluation of an unannounced project.

The selection criteria were notably strict. Candidates reportedly had to be in the top 25% of a major 2D fighting game, with examples such as Street Fighter 6, Guilty Gear Strive, Granblue Fantasy Versus, and The King of Fighters. That suggests the test was aimed at players with proven experience in competitive fighting games. The examples also show that the organizers were looking for players familiar with modern 2D fighting game systems, timing, and matchup knowledge.

Because the listing has since been removed, the exact wording depends on Game Rant’s reporting. The available information does confirm that it was an unannounced AAA project and that the test took place in person in Culver City. What is missing is an official confirmation of the title, developer, or publisher. As a result, Injustice 3 remains a rumor rather than an announced game.

Background

The Injustice series has not had a new entry since Injustice 2 in 2017. That means any sign of a possible new NetherRealm project quickly draws attention, especially when it involves a 2D fighting game. The franchise is also closely tied to Warner Bros. Games, so any reference to an unannounced fighting game near Warner Bros. locations naturally fuels speculation.

NetherRealm Studios is known for its major fighting game franchises, including Injustice and Mortal Kombat. That is why a removed playtest listing is often read as a possible sign of a new project. Still, the available information is limited to a description of an unannounced AAA 2D fighting game. There is no official confirmation that it is a DC title, and no confirmation that the studio behind the test is actually NetherRealm Studios.

The examples listed in the post, such as Street Fighter 6, Guilty Gear Strive, Granblue Fantasy Versus, and The King of Fighters, show that the test was intended for players with strong genre experience. That makes the listing interesting for fighting game fans, but it does not prove the identity of the project. The reference to the top 25% of a major 2D fighting game suggests the organizers mainly wanted feedback from highly skilled players.

The timing also adds to the attention. Injustice 2 launched in 2017, so the series has been quiet for years. A paid playtest in September, with a clear focus on 2D fighting game skill, fits the way unofficial project details sometimes surface before a publisher announces a game. At the same time, it is important that the listing was reportedly removed and that the name Injustice 3 was never explicitly mentioned.

Without an official announcement from Warner Bros. Games or NetherRealm Studios, the conclusion remains limited. The available facts only support that there was a paid, closed playtest for an unannounced AAA 2D fighting game in Culver City. Whether that project eventually turns out to be Injustice 3 has not been confirmed.

Sources

• Game Rant: report on a removed Good Gamer Group listing and the speculation around Injustice 3.