Shadow of Mordor’s Nemesis System: A Clever Strategy for Reducing Used Game Sales?
Shadow of Mordor, developed by Monolith and released in 2014, became famous for its innovative Nemesis system. This system allowed players to get to know their enemies, remember past encounters, and seek revenge, adding unique depth to the game. However, former Warner Bros. Games executive Laura Fryer revealed that this mechanic was designed with a more commercial goal in mind: reducing used game sales.
According to Fryer, the developers of Shadow of Mordor learned from the used game sales issues experienced with games like Arkham Asylum. Players were returning games shortly after purchase to buy others, resulting in lost revenue for developers. “This was good for stores and players, but a disaster for developers,” Fryer stated, as they only earned revenue from the initial game sale.
To solve this problem, Monolith developed the Nemesis system to keep players engaged and holding onto the game longer. “We were looking for a way to connect players to the game and ensure they kept the disc in their library. The Nemesis system served this purpose,” Fryer explained.
The Nemesis system was highly praised in Shadow of Mordor and its sequel, Shadow of War. However, its use is patented by Warner Bros. until 2036, preventing other game studios from developing similar mechanics. With the closure of Monolith, the future of the system remains uncertain.
Initially announced for use in the Wonder Woman game, the Nemesis system was shelved after Monolith withdrew from the project. Nevertheless, the revelation that such a mechanism was developed for commercial purposes offers an interesting perspective on how creative processes are shaped in the gaming industry.