On February 28th, the popular game Middle-Earth: Shadow of War will be removed from Xbox Game Pass. This open-world role-playing game, based on The Lord of the Rings, is famous for its unique Nemesis System, which is protected by a patent. Originally released in 2017, the game became available on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate for PC and consoles in 2019.
While many players love it, Shadow of War wasn’t the first game to feature the innovative Nemesis System. That honor goes to its earlier title, Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor, which launched in 2014 and first brought the mechanic to video games. Sadly, the studio that created both games, Monolith Productions, was closed by its owner, Warner Bros. Games, in 2025, making Shadow of War the last game to use this unique system for almost ten years.
Shadow of War Is the Last Living Game with the Nemesis System
Okay, so everyone’s been asking about the Nemesis System in Shadow of War, and it’s seriously cool. Basically, it’s how the game creates enemies that feel truly personal. Like, if a random orc manages to kill you, that orc doesn’t just stay a nobody. He levels up, becomes a full-blown captain with his own personality, gets new abilities, and even starts taunting you specifically about what happened! That’s just one small part of it, though – the system is way more in-depth than that.
Monolith Productions says that in Shadow of War, your actions truly matter and are remembered throughout the game. The popular Nemesis System has been expanded, giving enemy characters their own stories, goals, and ways to improve. According to Game Developer, orcs gain experience by fighting you or through events happening around the world. They can team up, turn against you, and even return after being defeated, seeking revenge. These complex relationships and lasting memories create a Lord of the Rings world that feels dynamic and incredibly real.
Image via WB Games Monolith Productions, the team that created the popular Nemesis System, is known for building immersive worlds and letting stories unfold naturally through gameplay. Their first game featuring the system, Shadow of Mordor, won several awards, including recognition for innovation in gaming and outstanding design and technology. However, WB Games, the publisher, has faced criticism for holding a patent on the Nemesis System for over ten years without incorporating it into any of their other titles.
Warner Bros. Games Has Been Accused of ‘Patent Bullying’
Image via WB Games Many popular video games have developed dynamic worlds with unique, automatically generated characters, much like Warner Bros. Games’ Nemesis System, without running into legal issues. For instance, Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey featured a system where bounty hunters would appear based on the player’s crimes. Similarly, Watch Dogs: Legion gave its characters individual histories and connections using a memory-based system – all without copying the patented Nemesis System.
Many gamers feel Warner Bros. is acting unfairly by holding a patent for technology that could greatly improve characters in numerous games. One player even suggested legal action to revoke the patent, arguing that Warner Bros. shut down the only studio effectively using it. Players have often discussed how games like The Last of Us, Red Dead Redemption, and GTA could be much more engaging with character development similar to the Nemesis System. Unfortunately, the patent isn’t set to expire until 2036, meaning other developers likely won’t be able to fully utilize this technology for quite some time.
Xbox Game Pass Subscribers Should Enjoy the Lost Art of Living Enemies While They Can
Even though the debate around Warner Bros.’ patent continues, Xbox Game Pass members shouldn’t pass up the chance to try out the unique Nemesis System in Middle-Earth: Shadow of War while it’s still available. You have until February 28th to download and play the game, which offers around 20-30 hours of story content. Plus, Game Pass subscribers get a 20% discount if they decide to buy it – a great way to own the final game to feature this innovative system.
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Other Games Leaving Game Pass on February 28
- Expeditions: A MudRunner Game
- Injustice 2
- Monster Train
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2026-02-23 21:08