Why the Upcoming Black Panther Game MUST Feature a Nemesis System

Black Panther has risen to become one of Marvel's most profitable superheroes in recent years. While the character has been around since 1966, it was his appearances in the Marvel Cinematic Universe that truly catapulted him to fame. Despite making appearances in various video games over the years, including classics like Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 and newer titles like Marvel's Avengers, Black Panther had never had his own dedicated video game in the 57 years since his creation. However, a few days ago, EA announced plans to publish a new Black Panther video game focused solely on the iconic hero. Details about the game are scarce as it is still in early development, but there is speculation that it may incorporate a Nemesis mechanic similar to Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor, based on the reputation of the developer.

Why EA's Black Panther Game Could Have its Own Nemesis System

EA's upcoming Black Panther game is being developed by Cliffhanger Games, a newly established studio. Despite being their first project, the team consists of experienced video game industry veterans from various backgrounds. Notable past ventures of these individuals include working on renowned titles such as Call of Duty, Halo, and God of War. With their expertise, Cliffhanger Games is in an excellent position to create a fully-realized AAA Black Panther video game.

Leading the talented team at Cliffhanger Games is Kevin Stephens, a seasoned professional in the video game industry. Previously, Stephens held the role of studio head at Monolith Productions, the acclaimed developer behind Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor and its sequel. Several former Monolith developers have also joined Cliffhanger Games, bringing their valuable experience to the development of the Black Panther game.

The new Black Panther game could benefit from incorporating a similar fast-paced combat system and a strong focus on storytelling and setting. Additionally, it would be interesting to explore the possibility of including Shadow of Mordor's innovative Nemesis system. For those unfamiliar with the Middle-Earth games, the Nemesis system introduces randomized Orc officers and generals for players to defeat. As players conquer these enemies, the defeated Orcs rise in the ranks and gain new abilities. Conversely, if a player is defeated by an Orc, the Orc becomes more powerful and rises in status. Interacting with these Orcs creates unique encounters, as the AI remembers past events. Adapting the Nemesis system to a superhero game, especially within the context of Black Panther, could involve henchmen who advance in rank with each defeat, eventually becoming minor supervillains.

However, the main obstacle for implementing the Nemesis system in Black Panther is that Warner Bros. has legally patented it. This means that non-Warner Bros. developers are unable to use the exact Nemesis system from Shadow of Mordor or potentially even similar ones. The patent was initiated in February 2021 and, as long as Warner Bros. continues to pay the necessary fees, it could remain valid until at least 2035. Given that the Black Panther game is unrelated to Warner Bros., it is unlikely that a Nemesis system will be incorporated into the game.

Cliffhanger Games' Black Panther is currently in development.