Killer Instinct --- Microsoft's free-to-play, one-on-one fighting game --- recently released its new 3.6 patch notes. Aside from releasing new gold skin packs for select characters and a new alternate costume for Thunder, a new player is also joining the ring. His name is Kilgore and he has machine guns for arms.

They're not attached to his arms. They are his arms.

Rukari Austin, Community Manager for Killer Instinct, reveals that Kilgore will be available to play beginning January next year. More details about his availability will be revealed in the coming weeks. However, GameSpot notes that Austin hinted that there may be opportunities for players to compete against Kilgore before his official release.

While he definitely isn't the strangest or wackiest game character we've ever seen, Kilgore's design has garnered mixed reactions. Some don't seem to mind the machine gun arms so much --- again, he isn't the strangest character --- while others find it odd and unnecessary. Twinfinite, for one, describes the overall concept as ridiculous, even citing similar video game characters with less than conventional aesthetics. As of now, whether loyal Killer Instinct gamers will love him or leave him is anybody's guess at best.

According to the earlier linked GameSpot article, the newest patch version gives players the option to choose between Survival vs AI and Shadow. Owning a Shadow is not a requirement for this. Other goodies include unlockable skin packages such as the gold and platinum skins mentioned in the video. Thunder's newest alternate outfit is also available for purchase.

There have also been some significant changes to the gameplay. Gamers used to passive damage regeneration happening almost immediately are in for a shock as the newest update causes passive damage regeneration to occur only after three seconds. Breaking a combo also only restores 50% of the potential damage, as opposed to the previous 100% restoration.

As of December 20 this year, the Killer Instinct 3.6 patch is now available for Xbox One and PC.