Middle-earth: Shadow of War to Remove Microtransactions

Middle-earth: Shadow of War launched last year to high acclaim for its refined Nemesis system but took heavy backlash for the heavy integration of single-player microtransactions that allowed gamers to essentially skip much of the game's content. Using the loot box system players could purchase Uruks and other performance-enhancing items randomly based on the player's level. Now Monolith Productions has announced they're removing the controversial system and adding several free updates.

The studio stated they're listening to player feedback since the game's launch and decided to remove the feature after player uproar. 

The core promise of the Nemesis System is the ability to build relationships with your personal allies and enemies in a dynamic open world. While purchasing Orcs in the Market is more immediate and provides additional player options, we have come to realize that providing this choice risked undermining the heart of our game, the Nemesis System. It allows you to miss out on the awesome player stories you would have otherwise created, and it compromises those same stories even if you don’t buy anything. Simply being aware that they are available for purchase reduces the immersion in the world and takes away from the challenge of building your personal army and your fortresses. In order to fully restore the core promise of the Nemesis System, we’ll be permanently removing Gold, War Chests and the Market from Shadow of War. This means the option to purchase Gold with real-world money and the ability to gain Orc Followers from War Chests will be removed. There will be a specific amount of time given for players to utilize their unused Gold. If players have unused Gold by the end of the time allotted to spend it, any remaining Gold will be converted to in-game items.

On May 8th the ability to purchase in-game Gold will be removed but Gold can still be earned in game to obtain chests. On July 17th Gold will be removed completely along with War Chests and the Market.

Middle-earth: Shadow of War is available now on PS4, Xbox One, and PC.

Adam Siddiqui, NoobFeed
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