The complete report is definitely worth a read, especially the part that highlights how the Black Panther game was set to innovate by incorporating the Nemesis System. Cliffhanger Studios, founded by former Monolith Productions developers—the creators of Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor and its sequel Shadow of War—was reportedly working on a new system that would build upon the foundation laid by the Nemesis System in those titles.
Monolith’s Nemesis System featured procedurally generated foes with distinctive characteristics, often driven by personal grudges against the main character, Talion. These adversaries would return for revenge after initial encounters, some fleeing only to come back more powerful, while others would face Talion again after previously defeating him. This system made the enemies feel like more than mere obstacles, as they could even rise through the ranks of Uruks, adding depth to the gameplay experience.
The potential expansion of this enemy system in Cliffhanger’s Black Panther game promised to be an exciting venture. According to Bloomberg, the game was intended to include “various playable heroes” competing for the title of Black Panther, featuring characters like T’Challa, his sister Shuri, and the unforgettable Killmonger from the 2018 film. They would be uniting against a Skrull invasion, the shape-shifting aliens recognized from MCU films like Captain Marvel and comic series such as Secret Invasion.
Skrulls would have been an excellent fit for the Nemesis System; as outlined by Bloomberg, these enemies could disguise themselves as allies, introducing a fresh layer of intrigue and immersion into an already unique gameplay mechanic. Just imagine the thrill of discovering that a supposed ally was actually a Skrull leader you thought you had defeated earlier in the game.
Unfortunately, it seems that due to EA’s lack of direction, we won’t see Cliffhanger’s reimagined Nemesis System come to life. Even worse, talented developers behind this innovative creation are left searching for new opportunities and pondering their future.
