Black Pantherhas officially been canceled by EA, and with it, the shut-down of its developer, Cliffhanger Games. While the project was incredibly secretive, there was a lot of excitement surrounding theBlack Pantherproject, as it would mark the first time the character had been a lead in a video game.
It’s been a rough time for superhero video game adaptations in general. A few months prior, Monolith’sWonder Womanproject was shut down, four years after its original announcement.Wonder Woman and Black Panthermay be heroes from competing brands, DC and Marvel, but their two game adaptations share a surprising feature in common that happens to be an unfortunate victim of these cancellations: the Nemesis System.
According to Reports, Black Panther Was Supposed to Feature its Own Version of Monolith’s Nemesis System
What is the Nemesis System?
The Nemesis System is a combat mechanic that was introduced by Monolith in 2014 withMiddle-earth: Shadow of Mordor. This dynamic enemy system procedurally generated antagonists who have their own unique personalities and motivations. These enemies could be promoted through the ranks and even be surprised to cross a player’s path again, making them feel far more realistic.The Nemesis Systemwas a groundbreaking innovation at the time for the industry, and Monolith’sWonder Womangame was expected to utilize it after a long hiatus.
Warner Bros. currently owns the patent to the Nemesis System.
Black Panther Was Reportedly Going to Have its Own Nemesis System
According to a report by Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier, Cliffhanger Games was working on its own take on the mechanic. Since Warner Bros. holds ownership over the original version,Black Panther’s Nemesis System was bound to be different. However, in this case, different could have meant better. With Kevin Stephens and his experience with the original Nemesis System, Cliffhanger Games had the potential to introduce a fresh system that was an even stronger iteration of the concept. Since its cancellation, there have been various pieces ofinformation leaked about theBlack Panthergame, and the planned spin on the Nemesis System has made the shut-down even more disappointing.
As of right now,Black PantherandWonder Womanseemed to be the only chances gamers had at seeing the Nemesis System again any time soon. Ever sinceShadow of War, the mechanic has been lying dormant, leaving a treasure trove of potential locked away.DC’s gaming ventureshave been rocky as of late, but the Nemesis System madeWonder Womansound at least promising.
The patent Warner Bros. has on the Nemesis System is set to last until 2036.
What Happens to the Nemesis System Now?
This was a big question whenWonder Womanwas canceled, and now that reports are claimingBlack Pantherwas also going to feature a take on the mechanic, it makes one wonder if the Nemesis System will ever be seen again. Because of its Warner Bros. ownership, it’s possible that it could be used intheHogwarts Legacysequel, but it might be stronger in a superhero setting.
Until Warner Bros. makes any sort of announcement, there’s no clear indication that other games are planning to use the mechanic. Only time will tellif the Nemesis System ever gets to be in the spotlight again. On the bright side, it’s at least great that it can be experienced inShadow of MordorandShadow of War, but it would have been thrilling to see how both Monolith and Cliffhanger Games pushed the mechanic further.
