Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor is losing features six years after release

No more Nemesis Forge or Vendetta missions

Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor was a really strange game that came out of nowhere in 2014.

Although many designers hit considerable roadblocks making big changes to Middle-earth source material, Warner Bros. coasted into massive departures from Tolkien’s legendarium with ease; both from a practical and thematic standpoint. It was a weird release, made even stranger by a controversy regarding some content creator’s failure to disclose that they couldn’t disparage the game in exchange for cash. Whatever the case may have been some people enjoyed it; but come December 31 of this year, future generations may enjoy it a bit less.

An ominous message recently apparated on various digital marketplaces for the game, warning that come that date, several features will be removed from the game (presumably because WB doesn’t want to keep paying for online features). Those features include the Nemesis Forge mechanic (read: you can’t transfer your nemesis enemies into the sequel) and a lack of Vendetta missions (hunting orcs via your friends list) and leaderboards. WBPlay is also being removed, but as a pity prize you’re getting “Orc Hunter” and “Gravewalker” epic runes.

I always felt that the nemesis system was half-baked, but come 2021 it’ll be even less appealing. You can find the full rundown of the removed features below. For now, the follow-up release Shadow of War is not impacted.

Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor [Steam]

Note: certain features for the Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor videogame will no longer be available beginning Dec. 31, 2020.

Affected Features:
• The Nemesis Forge feature will no longer be available. Therefore, players will no longer be able to transfer their in-game Nemeses from Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor to Middle-earth: Shadow of War.
• Vendetta missions and Leaderboards will no longer be available.
• WBPlay will no longer be available, but the epic runes “Orc Hunter” and “Gravewalker” will automatically be awarded to all players.