Summary
- Warner Bros. May update its Nemesis System to allow players to form NPC factions.
- Monolith Productions introduced the Nemesis System in 2014's Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor.
- The upcoming Wonder Woman game will utilize the Nemesis System, potentially with new features and alliances.
Warner Bros. May be updating its patented Nemesis System to allow players to form their own NPC factions and followers to help them in battle. Warner Bros-owned developer Monolith Productions first introduced the Nemesis System in 2014’s Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor, which featured enemies that reacted to and remembered the player’s actions, resulting in more personal rivalries and relationships with Orc foes that all had unique names and behavioral patterns.
The Nemesis System would be expanded upon in the 2017 sequel Middle-earth: Shadow of War, with the player able to recruit their former foes to their cause or drive them into a deeper rivalry after besting them in combat. In 2021, Warner Bros. Patented the Nemesis System, meaning that only games developed within its umbrella can use the popular mechanic pioneered by Monolith, such as the upcoming Wonder Woman game that was announced at The Game Awards back in 2021.
Monolith’s Wonder Woman Can’t Afford to Undercut Warner Bros.’ Nemesis System
Wonder Woman will apparently dust Monolith's Nemesis System off the shelf and how it employs it could be a make-or-break scenario.
There might be a few new bells and whistles added to the Nemesis System when players see it next, as Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Recently filed a patent that could signify some major updates to it. These updates seemingly include the ability to form positive relationships with NPCs, who can then be grouped into supporting factions and assist on missions. This could include infiltrating enemy hierarchies like spies, or rescuing the player from “certain death” if a fight becomes too difficult.
Warner Bros. Could Update Its Nemesis System For Wonder Woman
As mentioned before, Monolith Productions is currently working on a Wonder Woman game, and it has already been confirmed that the Nemesis System will be utilized in some capacity. It’s not exactly clear how Middle-earth: Shadow of War’s Nemesis System will translate to Wonder Woman, but fans remain hopeful that the scarcely used mechanic will be done justice in the upcoming DC-based video game.
Wonder Woman’s lore already lends itself well to the Nemesis System, and these reported updates could allow players to form alliances with Princess Diana’s fellow Themysciran warriors - who could then be sent to infiltrate humankind or arrive to help their champion in the nick of time during a particularly difficult battle. The possibilities of these updates to Warner Bros.’ proprietary Nemesis System are fascinating, to say the least, and this newly filed patent could be a sign that the popular and immersive gameplay mechanic will be used more frequently after being dormant since 2017.
Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor
- Released
- September 30, 2014
WHERE TO PLAY
Winner of multiple awards including Game of the Year, Best Action Game and the most innovative game of this generation. Experience the ground-breaking Nemesis System as you fight through Mordor and ultimately confront the evil of Sauron in this new chronicle of Middle-earth.
