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Shadowrun Returns' non-Kickstarter reward DLC to require Steam, DRM
During last year's Kickstarter campaign for Shadownrun Returns, developer Harebrained Schemes was dutiful in noting that every pledge level included a DRM-free version of the game. While that technically remains true, Harebrained Schemes has recently announced a slight caveat: All post-Berlin Campaign DLC will have DRM, and will require Steam.It shakes out like this: Backers will receive both a DRM-free version and the Steam version of Shadowrun Returns (which does have DRM) when the game launches in June. Additionally, anyone who pledged enough to receive the game's Berlin Campaign DLC will also be given permanent access to both versions. After that, however, all DLC will be distributed exclusively through Steam, DRM in tow."The reason is that our license to develop Shadowrun Returns actually requires that the game and its DLC be distributed under DRM," a Kickstarter update on the situation reads. "This didn't come up earlier because the situation was complicated by the number of parties involved in the license and because the process was 'ongoing.'""Ultimately," it continues, "we were able to successfully negotiate an exception with Microsoft for us to provide our Backers with a DRM-free version of the Kickstarter rewards (specifically the game and the Berlin Campaign) but that exception does not extend to non-reward DLC. So unfortunately, we cannot sell or give away DRM-free versions of the game or DLC on stores like GoG, and that's why any future Shadowrun Returns DLC will only be available for purchase on Steam."A table posted by Harebrained Schemes, illustrating the specific differences between the Steam and DRM-free versions of the game, has been embedded after the break.[Thanks, Travis!]
Shadowrun Returns confirmed for June, pre-order arrivals outlined
Shadowrun Returns developer Harebrained Schemes has narrowed down the game's release date to June. Late last year the studio announced a delay and waffled between a May or June launch, but it's l'eggo of the notion of May.Also included in the update posted by the developer on its Kickstarter page, they detail a bunch of backer rewards information. If you backed the game on Kickstarter, you'll definitely want to take a look, as there appear to be registration deadlines you'll have to hit for your rewards.The game will launch in June on Steam (with Steam Workshop integration), pre-orders for non backers will be available the last week of April.
Shadowrun Returns... with 20 minutes of in-game footage
Shadowrun Returns, funded on Kickstarter with nearly $1.9 million in donations, is ready to show off some alpha stage footage. Here's nearly 20 minutes of 2D isometric turn-based RPG footage to enjoy. The game is expected in May or June.
Shadowrun Returns pushed back to May, June 2013
Harebrained Schemes recently took to the Kickstarter page for its successful Shadowrun Returns funding project to note the game has been pushed back from an anticipated January launch date to either May or June of 2013. The Kickstarter project concluded with $1.8 million in funding in late April this year, resulting in Mac and Linux versions of the game in addition to PC, iOS and Android. Producer Mitch Gitelman said the January release date "might've worked for the scope of the game we originally envisioned but as our ambitions (read that 'features list') grew, so did the time we needed to deliver!" He added that the move from a top-down perspective to an isometric camera angle took "serious R&D time." Gitelman also noted that the ability to recruit any friends' characters into one player's game has been cut from the project due to time and budget demands.
Shadowrun Returns trolls the internet with in-game assets
Harebrained Schemes, which hauled in a whopping $1.8 million on Kickstarter in April, has revealed the first in-game assets for its current project, Shadowrun Returns. The studio has settled on creating 2D isometric backgrounds and 3D polygonal characters. The character images feature concept art and in-game models for some of the different races, including trolls, orks and boring ol' humans.Location shots showcase the sort of gritty urban environments Shadowrun is known for. Thanks to a tiling system – as seen here – players will be able to build their own levels and scenarios with a level editor. Head over to Harebrained Schemes to learn more about how it plans to tackle Shadowrun.%Gallery-164246%
Shadowrun Returns concludes Kickstarter at $1.8 million in contributions
Shadowrun Returns finished its Kickstarter funding round with a total of $1,895,772 in donations to the cause. Announced earlier this month, the project was hoping to raise $400,000 to bring a Shadowrun sequel to PC, iOS and Android as a "graphically rich 2D turn-based single player game."After hitting some funding milestones, developer Harebrained Schemes and Shadowrun creator Jordan Weisman will include Mac and Linux support, and dole out some physical rewards for contributions. Next, Harebrained Schemes has to make the game and meet some high expectations.
Shadowrun Returns says let's get physical, physical
The Shadowrun Returns Kickstarter passed the $1 million mark, meaning all $15 backers will receive the Linux port of the final game -- but that's not all.Harebrained Schemes added a new $125 donor level that rewards backers with the Deluxe Boxed Edition. This includes a "game disc, soundtrack disc, a mini-poster, and -- check this -- a Shadowrun Returns USB Dog Tag set, containing DRM-free versions of the game (PC/Mac/Linux) and soundtrack (and maybe one or two other surprises, too)," Harebrained writes.There are two days left in the Shadowrun Returns Kickstarter, so if you enjoy dog tags, get on that thing now.
Welcome back, Shadowrun
This week, Kat Bailey and Rowan Kaiser have switched roles -- with Kat taking lead in this week's column focusing on the wonderful world of Western role-playing games. These are interesting times. Thanks to Kickstarter, projects that I never thought would see the light of day are getting a chance to prove themselves on their own terms. Who ever thought that Tim Schafer would get a chance to make another adventure game? Or that Shadowrun would get another shot after the mediocre cross-platform 2007 FPS?That's why I'm writing here today, rather than my usual space at the JRPG column. Long ago, I played the pen-and-paper RPG Shadowrun with a group of friends, though not always successfully. Since then, both the setting and the system have stuck with me in any number of ways. So as you can imagine, the thought of a new computer role-playing game (CRPG) based on the series is exciting.First, the setting. If you've ever played Deus Ex: Human Revolution – or watched Blade Runner, for that matter – you'll know what you're in for with Shadowrun. The big twist is that magic is suddenly a part of everyday life on this version of earth; an earth where cybernetically-enhanced dwarfs, elves, and trolls freely roam. A little silly maybe, but I've always been struck by the power Shadowrun has to unite those who enjoy both fantasy and science fiction – which is sometimes tougher to do than you might think.
Shadowrun Returns: $1 million in pledges guarantee Linux port
With the recent announcement of a Mac port, the Linux community has come out asking whether Shadowrun Returns will support Linux. Harebrained has said it doesn't want to overreach, so that version has been off the table until now."As we said over the weekend, we're being very careful not to over-commit to ideas and features (especially just to get more funding)," the Kickstarter post update reads. But with $1 million, the developer is confident it can outsource the port to a trusted studio and offer a Linux version shortly after launch. Zipline Games has already built Linux support into Moai, the development environment used by Harebrained Schemes to create Shadowrun Returns.If the $1 million goal is met, all $15 backers will have access to the Linux port of Shadowrun Returns when it's ready.
Shadowrun Returns' Kickstarter funding brings game to Mac, adds Riggers
The Shadowrun Returns Kickstarter glided past another milestone recently, adding some new features – for one, the game is now coming to the Mac. All backers at the $15 level will be able to snag a copy for their OS X-powered box of choice. Additionally, Shadowrun Returns now has Spanish, German and French language support.Apparently the game is set in Seattle – the setting of the original game – and will include Riggers, the drone-controlling tech wizards of this fictional future. Shadowrun Returns met its goal in a single day, and with 20 days left to go we're sure we'll be writing more about this revival-in-progress soon.
Shadowrun Returns: Kickstarter for a sequel from Shadowrun vets
The latest in the ever-growing line of Kickstarter-funded games is Shadowrun Returns, a sequel to the original game which hit PC back in 1989. Jordan Weisman, the creator of Shadowrun, secured the license for a sequel on the PC and iOS and Android tablets, and is hoping to raise $400,000 for the project.Shadowrun Returns is planned to be a "graphically rich 2D turn-based single player game" in the vein of classic Shadowrun. Harebrained Schemes will also release the PC level editor alongside the game, so players can craft their own stories and missions within the universe and share them online -- either with all players or only your friends.As of right now, Harebrained Schemes is pretty much halfway to the desired goal with 24 days left to go.[Thanks, Chad.]
Crimson: Steam Pirates was made in 12 weeks
Believe it or not, Bungie's latest didn't take that long to develop -- oh, you read the headline? Well, aren't you perceptive! Yes, Crimson: Steam Pirates (not to be confused with The Crimson Permanent Assurance) only took 12 weeks to create, believe it or not. It's the subject of a Gamasutra postmortem by developer Harebrained Schemes' Aljernon Bolden, who worked in the trenches over those dozen weeks to create what is one of the top free iPad apps. His diatribe recounts the last month (it launched on September 1, remember?) and how a team of seven people was able to meet deadline. Did you know the game uses animations originally created as flipbook animations in Flash? Just one of the many interesting tidbits to be discovered! Do yourself a favor and give it a read. It's not only a great read to learn how a first-time developer was able to come up with high-impact, low-cost solutions to achieve its goal, it's also fascinating stuff for budding developers -- and in this App store world we're living in, that should be at least 75 percent of you. %Gallery-131494%
PSA: Bungie Aerospace's Crimson: Steam Pirates now available (for free)
This is just a quick reminder that Bungie Aerospace's first project, Crimson: Steam Pirates, is now available on iPad for the excellent sum of no dollars. We had assumed that the Hairbrained Schemes title was about a band of buccaneers out to steal your wine-stained dry cleaning. It turns out, however, that it's actually an action RTS game in a Steampunk 1800s setting. You'll follow the high-seas adventures of General Thomas Blood as he conducts ship battles against opposing fleets. You can find out more about the top-down action in the video above. Or, you know, you could just download the game, what with it being free and all. %Gallery-131494%
First Bungie Aerospace project detailed, Crimson: Steam Pirates hits iPad next week
The very first project setting sail under the Bungie Aerospace flag is Harebrained Schemes' Crimson: Steam Pirates and it's leaving port on September 1, with its compasses pointed towards the free-to-play frontiers of the iPad. Promising turn-based gameplay coupled with a "mystery" that, as mysteries are wont to do, needs uncovering, Crimson: Steam Pirates certainly has presentation in the bag. But what else will your $0.00 buy you? The site details eight "voyages that begin the tale of Thomas Blood's adventures in the Caribbean," two "'Pass-and-Play' multiplayer scenarios," oodles of ships, subs, airships, and unique crew members, and of course, Bungie.net stats, Leaderboards, and the unavoidable Facebook integration. If you're wondering how anyone makes money off this would-be treasure hunt, it's simple: while the first eight missions are free-to-play, "Chapter 2, 'Tales of Captain Blood' will feature another eight missions for $1.99." That's what we call buried treasure. %Gallery-131494%
Bungie Aerospace a partner program with social, mobile devs
If you were hoping that Bungie Aerospace would be a new action-packed game from the venerable Halo developer, well ... we don't think we could disappoint you more than we're about to right now. Bungie Aerospace (the trademark for which first popped up in early 2010) is a partner program in which the AAA powerhouse will team with social and mobile devs, giving them "creative freedom and the resources they need, like access to the Bungie.net platform and an audience with the incredible Bungie community." The release stops short of calling Bungie the publisher of these products, but it certainly reads that way. The first dev getting the Bungie bump is Seattle's Harebrained Schemes, a studio run by Jordan Weisman, of I Love Bees/FASA Interactive/Wizkids fame. It's an intriguing partnership, but we won't get our hands on the results until this summer when a game codenamed "Crimson" (which Aerospace trademarked in May) hits iOS and Android. You know, we're excited by the news, but we can tell this isn't what some of you were hoping for. ... Hmm. Well, what if we told you "Crimson" has Master Chief in it? It doesn't, but what if it did? (It doesn't.)
