harebrained-schemes
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Shadowrun: Hong Kong soars through funding, stretch goals
Developer Harebrained Schemes has become the go-to case study for using Kickstarter as part of a sustainable business model, having received over $400,000 since putting up its page yesterday for Shadowrun: Hong Kong. The game pulled in its $100,000 funding goal within two hours, blowing through six different stretch goals for additional characters and missions since. There are still 33 days left in the funding period for the PC-only game. Harebrained has been one of the stars of the Kickstarter funding movement, attracting over $1.8 million for its Shadowrun reboot a couple of years back and delivering a great game. Harebrained's games also tap into the core RPG market, one of the most successful genres for crowdfunding.
Shadowrun: Hong Kong seeks funding [update: funding found]
Harebrained Schemes, developer of the excellent Shadowrun Returns and even more excellent Shadowrun Returns: Dragonfall roleplaying games, has launched a Kickstarter page that it hopes will fund the development of a new game called Shadowrun: Hong Kong. This early in development solid gameplay details and in-game imagery is sparse, but the Kickstarter page reveals that while Shadowrun: Hong Kong will utilize the same core engine behind Shadowrun Returns and Dragonfall, it will be a wholly new adventure. "Shadowrun: Hong Kong has everything you expect from a Harebrained Schemes Shadowrun game: strong storytelling and sharp writing, lots of morally gray choices, a crew of memorable characters with distinct personalities, challenging tactical turn-based combat, a robust character creation system, and a one of a kind cyberpunk-meets-magic game setting that's endured for over 25 years," the developer claims. Harebrained Schemes is seeking $100,000 to develop Shadowrun: Hong Kong, a goal that shouldn't be too hard to reach. With 34 days of fundraising remaining, the total sits at just over $85,000 and climbing. Update: In the short time between this article being written and it being published, Shadowrun: Hong Kong attracted over $40,000, easily toppling its goal. Now we wait to see just how much extra cash the fundraising effort can pull in before it ends. [Image: Harebrained Schemes]
Off the Grid: Golem Arcana
Following its successful Shadowrun revival Kickstarter, developer Harebrained Schemes set its sights on a new crowdfunded project: a miniature tabletop game and mobile app hybrid. That game is Golem Arcana, which launched earlier this year. Utilizing an infrared stylus and specialty app, players move physical objects around a modular board and engage in combat with detailed pre-painted minis, leaving the micromanagement of the game to their mobile devices. In a new series exploring board and card games that we're calling "Off the Grid," Xav and Richard look at Golem Arcana and discuss how it works, what makes it special and whether or not it's something you should explore in any effort you may have to game offline.
Shadowrun Returns to Kickstarter in January 2015
A recent addition to the two-year-old Shadowrun Returns Kickstarter page reveals that developer Harebrained Schemes will return to crowdfunding in January 2015, though the reasons why aren't entirely clear. The image above is the entirety of the update. That pseudo-shamanic green dragon symbol is the de facto logo for Shadowrun Returns, suggesting that Harebrained Schemes is seeking money to develop additional content for a game we described as a loving, cyberpunk homage to the roleplaying games of the 1990s. Whether this new content might be a second expansion (a la Dragonfall) or even a sequel is unknown. While Harebrained Schemes' first stab at crowdfunding went very well - the developer was seeking $400,000 and attracted over $1.8 million - that was two years ago. Since that time Kickstarter and sites like it have been flooded by developers seeking money. As we pointed out earlier this year, this glut (not to mention reports of Kickstarter scams) has decreased the amount of money available via crowdfunding. The success of Shadowrun Returns will no doubt bolster Harebrained Schemes' fundraising attempt, but it seems unlikely that the developer will again draw more than four times its goal. [Image: Kickstarter/Harebrained Schemes]
Shadowrun dev reveals deadly dungeon dive, Necropolis
Necropolis puts players in a magical, massive tomb that changes according to the whims of the Brazen Head, a supernatural intelligence created by the powerful archmage, Abraxis. The Necropolis is a dangerous, deadly dungeon that feeds on the deaths of adventurers that attempt to escape, using their spirits to power its gears and their reanimated corpses to patrol its passageways. Necropolis comes from Harebrained Schemes, the studio behind the Shadowrun series. It's a third-person action roguelike with ever-changing dungeons in a low-poly environment. Harebrained describes the game as follows: "Thousands have entered the Necropolis. Legend says, somewhere inside, undead and immortal, Abraxis presides on an onyx throne. In ten centuries, only one adventurer has escaped, and I'm afraid he emerged quite mad. But you ... I'm sure you'll make it out just fine. You seem like the adventurous type." Necropolis is due out in 2016 for PC and Mac via Steam, and unannounced consoles. [Image: Harebrained Schemes]
Shadowrun's standalone Dragonfall Director's Cut arrives Sept. 18
The standalone, "Director's Cut" version of the Shadowrun Returns DLC Dragonfall will arrive on September 18, developer Harebrained Schemes has revealed. The updated version of the downloadable content features new missions, music, and improvements to the user interface and combat systems. The Director's Cut also introduces new mechanics, such as an armor system. Because the Director's Cut makes big changes to the core game, characters and save files from the original DLC will not carry over. "Since we reworked and added so much to the Director's Cut, loading a DLC save would cause parts of the game to not make sense - both functionally and narratively speaking," an update on the Shadowrun Returns Kickstarter page noted. Kickstarter backers of Shadowrun Returns and any players that have purchased the DLC will receive the standalone version for free. Those new to the world of Dragonfall may purchase the standalone Director's Cut, which will replace the DLC version currently available by digital distributors, for $14.99. [Image: Harebrained Schemes]
Shadowrun Returns: Dragonfall content flies solo in September
A new, standalone version of the Shadowrun Returns expansion Dragonfall will rear its scaly head in September, developer Harebrained Schemes has revealed. The standalone version of Dragonfall is being labeled as a Director's Cut, though what exactly was cut and/or will be added in for this re-release has yet to be revealed. Harebrained Schemes promises we'll hear more next month, but until then, good news for anyone who backed the game on Kickstarter or already owns the expansion: you'll be getting the Director's Cut for free. Free is our favorite price. [Image: Harebrained Schemes]
Shadowrun Returns: Dragonfall expansion arrives February 27
Fans eager to return to the cyberpunk noir futurism of Shadowrun Returns will be happy to hear that developer Harebrained Schemes has finally nailed down a release date for the game's first official expansion: February 27. Titled "Dragonfall," the expansion ditches the rain-slicked streets of Seattle in favor of a wholly new tale set in a futuristic Berlin. Instead of continuing the story of the characters seen in Shadowrun Returns, Dragonfall introduces a new team of street samurai, deckers and magic users. Not much is known of the expansion's plot, but it has been revealed that the titular "Dragonfall" is an ominous event foretold in prophecy that threatens to destroy Berlin in apocalyptic fashion. When it debuts on February 27, Dragonfall will feature a $15 price tag. That may seem steep for an addition to a $20 game, but beyond the Dragonfall campaign the expansion also includes a swath of new weapons and items, additions to the game's content editing suite and, most crucially, the ability to save your game whenever you please. For more information, visit Harebrained Schemes' website.
Twenty developers you don't know, but should
Between consoles, PC, mobile and everything in between, there are so many games released today that it's impossible to keep up with everything that's coming out – and it's even harder to keep up with the studios behind them. Even with a gaming public that's grown accustomed to following big developers like Valve and small studios like Double Fine, countless other studios slide under the radar. In the interest of sifting a signal from the noise, the Joystiq crew has selected 20 developers that deserve your attention. These studios are making games you should play, and their future work should be highly anticipated. This list is by no means exhaustive, and we invite you to share your own favorites in the comments!
Rebuilding Nostalgia: Giving new life to Shadowrun SNES
When Shadowrun Returns went live on Kickstarter in April 2012, most people didn't know they were, by extension, funding more than one project. In a sense, they were funding dozens of them, all extensions of the much-loved RPG brand. J.R Riedel is behind one such project - an enhanced remake of the cult favorite SNES Shadowrun. A much-loved artifact of the 16-bit era is on its way to an unexpected rebirth.
Shadowrun Returns' Berlin expansion called 'Dragonfall,' arriving January
Harebrained Schemes revealed more details for its Berlin-based expansion to Shadowrun Returns, now known as Shadowrun: Dragonfall. Originally expected to land in October before being delayed to January, the expansion will place players in the stable anarchy of the Free City of Berlin, offering a new "full-length" campaign to play. The expansion will include new weapons such as grenade launchers, long-range sniper rifles and tasers as well as new enemies like gargoyles. Dragonfall will feature a few gameplay improvements as well, such as added options in the game editor like a scripting system to control in-game lighting, keypad passwords and custom strings of dialog. Those toying around with the game editor will have access to the new Berlin art, characters and items as well. Harebrained Schemes noted that it will add the ability to save your game anywhere in the adventure, a helpful feature that will be included in the original Dead Man's Switch campaign. Shadowrun: Dragonfall will launch on PC, Mac and Linux in January 2014 for $14.99 and will be bundled in with the original game in a Shadowrun Campaign Pack for $24.99. Harebrained Schemes will provide free Steam keys for the expansion to those that backed Shadowrun Returns on Kickstarter.
Shadowrun Returns drops DRM, may appear on GOG
Harebrained Schemes has announced plans to sell all future copies of Shadowrun Returns (as well as its upcoming expansions) sans pesky digital rights management schemes. "Thanks to a new agreement we were able to negotiate with our partners at Microsoft, Harebrained Schemes is pleased to announce that we are now able to release fully DRM-free versions of Shadowrun Returns and future expansions such as Berlin," reads a message on the Shadowrun Returns Kickstarter page. Other than the removal of DRM, Harebrained Schemes assures fans that these new copies of Shadowrun Returns will receive the same level of developer support as any other version of the game. "You'll be able to download all game patches, use the Shadowrun Returns editor and experience user-generated content downloaded from third-party sites such as Nexus," the message states. Those few who ignored our glowing 4/5 star review and still haven't played Shadowrun Returns may have another chance to pick up the game when it makes its Good Old Games debut. Harebrained Schemes is currently working toward this goal, though there is as yet no word on when or if the game might hit GOG.
Shadowrun Returns summons temporary 33% price cut
If you've been waiting for a good opportunity to pick up Shadowrun Returns, this is your moment: Until October 30 at 10AM, the PC and Mac incarnations of Shadowrun Returns are available from Steam at a 33 percent discount. For $13.39, Shadowrun Returns offers players a grimy, dystopian futurescape that works nicely as a singleplayer experience, but really comes into its own when you examine the Steam Workshop community that's built up around the game. After completing the 10- to 12-hour campaign that ships with Shadowrun Returns, you'll find dozens of new adventures there available for free download. This was only attractive potential when our review was published, but the community has blossomed since, and it's now trivial to find numerous player-created adventures that humble the campaign built by developer Harebrained Schemes. In addition to cutting its base price, this Daily Deal also reduces the cost of the Shadowrun Returns Digital Deluxe edition. That version includes a downloadable soundtrack as well as a .pdf containing short stories set in the Shadowrun universe, alongside the game. Buying the Digital Deluxe edition will now set you back $23.44, though if you already own Shadowrun Returns, you can upgrade to Digital Deluxe for $10.05.
Shadowrun Returns on tablets today
Harebrained Schemed delivered iOS and Android versions of Shadowrun Returns today, available now for $10. According to a Kickstarter update, tablet-based tacticians won't find the game's editor or access to community modules on the new platforms, although Harebrained has plans to bundle the best community content there at some future point. In our four-star review of the Mac version, Earnest heartily recommended Harebrained's cyberpunk RPG to children of the 90s: "Younger generations may not appreciate it the same way, but for anyone with a closet full of flannel shirts and Sub Pop albums, Shadowrun Returns is like Arsenio Hall-flavored catnip."
Shadowrun Returns Berlin DLC delayed until January 2014
Shadowrun Returns' Berlin DLC, originally scheduled for late October, will now receive more features and has been delayed until January 2014. "We've decided to spend more time on Berlin to create an experience closer to the size of [The Seattle Campaign] Dead Man's Switch," developer Harebrained Schemes mentioned in a Kickstarter update. "We know that we want our next story to feel more like the player is part of a shadowrunning crew and contain more corporate intrigue." Although not finalized, some of the Berlin pre-production additions announced include: more flexible main story arc, new weapons and enemies (more magic creatures), "Improved Physical Adept gameplay" and the different feel of Shadowrun: Germany. Developer Harebrained Schemes still plans to integrate all Berlin content into the Shadowrun Returns Editor.
Shadowrun Returns 'Berlin' DLC coming late October
Shadowrun Returns developer Harebrained Schemes is aiming to launch the game's Berlin DLC in late October. It also noted plans to localize the game for other regions, with "Spanish, Italian, German, and French versions ready to play by early October." Shadowrun Returns recently received its first patch, though the developer is still fixing bugs and intends to update the game again in the future. The iOS version of the cyberpunk RPG has been delayed a few weeks, but Harebrained Schemes can't pin down an exact release date due to Apple's certification process.
Shadowrun Returns review: Hack the planet
There is no single word in the English language more objectively radical than "cyberpunk." One could even describe the word as "awesome" or "gnarly" or any number of other terms that really should have died off around the time MTV stopped playing music videos. Cyberpunk may not have been invented in the 1990s, but it's the perfect symbol for the goofy excesses of the decade. At one point, the sort of techno-fetishist fantasy seen in the Shadowrun pen and paper game was the height of geek cool, and the newly released Shadowrun Returns either stands as proof that it is still is, or that we collectively spend far too much time pining for the Clinton administration. The world of Shadowrun Returns is best described as a hybrid of cyberpunk noir and Tolkien-esque fantasy. Almost every important event takes place in or around the particularly-cool-circa-1994 city of Seattle, and you can expect to see orcs casting spells just as often as you'll spot elves who've traded half of their flesh for cybernetic implants. You play the role of a hardened "shadowrunner" (think: cyberpunk mercenary) who has been hired by a recently deceased friend to track down the people who killed him. For the most part the story follows traditional noir plot points from there on out. You investigate the scene of the crime, track down the victim's sister and uncover a massive conspiracy that wouldn't seem out of place in a Mickey Spillane novel (were it not for the horse-sized, immortal space bugs you periodically encounter).%Gallery-195164%
Shadowrun Returns developer to Kickstart 'Golem Arcana' tabletop game in August
While the majority of Harebrained Schemes is still knee deep in developing content for its Kickstarted strategy-RPG Shadowrun Returns, which just launched today, a small team has already begun work on the developer's next project: Golem Arcana, a smartphone/tablet-assisted tabletop game. As explained by founder Jordan Weisman, Golem Arcana is set in a world where powerful Golems do the bidding of their creators, who infuse organic materials with magic in order to create obedient, deadly homunculi. A Kickstarter campaign will be launched sometime next month in order to fuel development, though Weisman did not say how much money the team is looking to raise. Golem Arcana's gameplay takes place on a physical battle map with figurines representing the golems, but the gameplay mechanics are calculated and implemented by a smartphone or tablet running an associated app. Using a proprietary stylus, players tap on the battle map or the figures to summon relevant information in the app. During battle, taping an ability and targeting a figure initiates combat inside of the app, which then spits out results and information about the turn.
Shadowrun Returns launch trailer welcomes you to the sprawl
After a couple of delays, a launch trailer emerging from Shadowrun Returns assures us the Harebrained Schemes game is ready to hit Steam for Windows and Mac next week. The cyberpunk RPG is also sprawling onto Linux, iOS, and Android devices down the line.
'Shadowrun Returns' on July 25
Shadowrun Returns is scheduled to release for PC and tablets on July 25, a slight delay from developer Harebrained Schemes' original release window, which in itself was already a delay. Harebrained has also gone ahead and noted some highlights on its site from backers using the game's editing tools, which will ship with the game. If you've missed checking out Shadowrun Returns, here's 20 minutes of footage.
