So Middle-earth: Shadow of War Has Multiplayer on Top of Microtransactions

The argument was made in the other thread that development costs are rising, and I can appreciate that. But I think the motivation for adding these pay-to-fully-play elements is due more for a lust for profits. The devs are seeing games on other media like Roblox and Clash of Clans make a fortune in add-ons and are thinking, we just spent exponentially more time and effort on our epic game, why can't we revel in those sweet sweet profits? It's understandable, but it doesn't make it any more palatable.

I grumbled in the other thread so won't repeat myself here but to be honest, I am now more confused than anything.

If you can, I would just turn this off but still not sure how it fits in and I think it is another pusher to make people part cash to avoid grinding.

This game went from 'must get' through to 'hmm, not sure' straight into 'not getting it ever'. I don't mind microtransactions/MP in games, I almost never use the former (I bought an outfit once for a character in Freedom Wars on Vita, that's it) and very rarely the latter. I get that it makes sense from a profits-driven perspective and I am not against it in principle, I just don't enjoy games built around these elements. The gameplay gets designed in a particular way e.g. it's a real slog to get anywhere without paying up etc.

If you can turn it off...good.

If not, here comes people effectively paying to wreck your fortress. How do you defend yourself? Pay up.

Is there a single player mode to this game or is it online only.

This actually makes me feel a little better. If the microtransactions are tied to MP only, then its no skin off my nose if I choose to play SP exclusively. It was the potential grindy SP I was worried about. Multiplayer - Have at it.

@Shellcore The microtransactions will apply to the whole game, not just the multiplayer. Even if you never take part in this invasion stuff, I think you can still opt to buy loot boxes, etc., so that you can potentially get through the game faster.

Loot boxes in single player game? No thanks. I hope we can ignore this on the single player portion of the game.

What other disaster will they announce next?

Don't care all about the SP exp

Oh. Should have read this before posting in the other article.
Well, this certainly explains the microtransactions and loot boxes stuff. I hope it'll be possible to turn it off.
I almost never play multiplayer, just ignore it in those games that have it, but I really, really hate player invasions.
The last thing I need in a game is some idiot invading it and messing up my stuff.
if it'll not be possible to turn it off I'll just play disconnected and solve the problem that way, because I really want to play this game, even if they're certainly doing their damnedest to make me change my mind.
But all this I can ignore, I just hope they won't also put in the "always online" crap, because that would be the last straw.
They put that in, I won't buy the damn game.

It's a game published by Warner Bros. Of course it's going to be a piece of crap.

I'll play it offline and not spend a single penny on microtransactions. Easy. I ended up giving up on just cause 3 due to this always online bs.

I love my LOTR but this has put me off a bit.

@DanM didn't they already confirm you need an internet connection to play it?

I assume the multiplayer will be dead when its time to actually purchase this - a year or so from now, bundled with post-launch DLC, retitled a "Game of the Year Edition", probably marked down in price a bit, etc. - so this doesn't bug me particularly

I do feel bad for Monolith though. Been a fan of theirs every since the old LithTech days (probably the first time I saw a Game Engine advertised on a game - a copy of SHOGO in the stores. Not that I knew what Lithtech or Game Engines were, of course). But they work for one of the worst publishers in the 'biz, and who's business practices routinely force people to purchase games far, FAR after launch. And like with any stupid gigantic publisher, if they deem something to be underperforming, they'll put the studio on the chopping block rather than take responsibility, look in the mirror and ask "Maybe its something WE'RE doing... hmmmm.... "

As a game, I hope its good, for Monolith's sake. As a product, I hope it bombs because WB and their execs can suck it with this sh**. I guess I'm torn :/

As long as it doesn't effect the single player portion... whatever. Don't like the practice but there's obviously a market for it otherwise developers and publishers would've stopped a long time ago.

I really don't see it as a big deal if it's something separate like MGSV's MP mode. I never once touched it and still had plenty of fun playing SP. If people want to blow their money, let them, as long as it doesn't affect the SP at all.

This is the right type of micro transaction. They had no obligation to even add the friendly mode, but they did so there is no reason to spend money rebuilding your forces. The only reason you would is if you're planning on taking ranked mode very seriously and becoming one of the best players online. Since we didn't know multiplayer existed until today I imagine there is extremely few people in that boat. If you just want to play online mode for fun and invade your friends you would obviously go on friendly. Also means they've made a new multiplayer mode to contain the microtransactions; and the campaign, which before today was the only possible reason anyone would have bought it and still mostly will be, will be microtransaction free. Complete non issue.

@Kai_
Are you sure? I try to read any news I can on this game and I don't recall anything about needing an internet connection to play it. That would be immensely stupid on their part and a deal-breaker for me.
Watch Dogs 2 also had player invasions, but it did not require an internet connection to play it, so I don't think that's the case here. At least, I very, very much hope so...

I enjoyed the first one a great deal but now they have forced me to wait till after release with this news. I am interested to know how this change will ultimately impact the game.

I don't fork out for online multiplayer on the PS4, so I'm guessing this doesn't apply to me?

ENOUGH of that RUBBISH. IF they want to go down that route, make the game FREE TO PLAY. Thx.

I really liked the first game which I bought for about £6. I'll probably buy this one in a sale too.

I guess you gotta wait for the Game of the Year edition

Another multiplayer here is the brawl stars hack online.