WB's Shadow of War removes all in-game purchases, goes microtransaction-free
When Warner Bros. released Shadow of War in October of last year, the game launched with multiple kinds of microtransactions. Players could buy equippable gear and orcs, as well as lootboxes, all with real currency. While the game didn't lock any of its major content behind a paywall, fans found themselves disappointed by the extra grind required if you didn't pay up. The game, while favored by players and critics, found itself amidst controversy shortly after it released, further fueled especially after following EA's Battlefront II ire.
Presumably due to the negative perception of the game, publisher WB announced back in April that all microtransactions would be removed from the game at a later date. And now, as of today, it's happened. All purchases that could be made with real money have been taken out of Shadow of War.
For those that made in-game purchases and have leftover digital currency in Shadow of War, they'll be compensated with high level lootboxes to open, which have rare items in them. Developer Monolith Productions made the following statement regarding the removal.
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. 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.