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Rumor: Footage of canned Shadowrun reboot

by David Hinkle { Nov 4th 2009 at 9:45PM }

Before 2007's Shadowrun released and Microsoft subsequently closed the doors on FASA, the studio was apparently working on Shadowrun: The Awakening -- a game with a full single-player campaign and unique 3D gameplay engine developed in-house. Some footage (teleport past the break to give it a look-see) managed to make its way online over at Unseen64, showing off a few environments and some character animations. As Unseen64 would tell it, the story goes: FASA brought a new art director in which, through a series of unknown events, lead to an eventual cancellation in favor of the multiplayer-driven experience that was the 2007 game.

As it stands now, Jordan Weisman managed to snag the rights to the Shadowrun IP (among others), so the possibility of seeing this resurface as an actual thing isn't entirely impossible -- though Weisman is trying to let some of the negativity surrounding the brand die down a bit before revisiting it.

[Via StrategyInformer]

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Smith & Tinker looking into homes for Crimson Skies, Shadowrun IPs

by Alexander Sliwinski { Aug 3rd 2009 at 1:00PM }

Smith & Tinker founder Jordan Weisman recently spoke about his plans for the other FASA IPs he licensed from Microsoft. In a recent interview with Gamespot, Weisman teased, "I think Crimson Skies is something we'd love to get some energy around, and we have some devious plans--we'll see if those materialize." Intriguing!

Shadowrun fans, however, shouldn't expect to be nearly as intrigued -- at least not anytime soon. "Shadowrun was recently...not treated well...shall we say, so the thought was let a little time pass before approaching that one again," Weisman admitted.

As for the beloved MechWarrior franchise, the series reboot is currently in development by Piranha Games for PC and Xbox 360. Smith & Tinker plans to farm out development of these old IPs to other studios over time, so if you're a fancy studio head with a clever idea for a Crimson Skies or Shadowrun revival, feel free to give Weisman a call. Like, now.

[Via VideoGamer]

No cross-platform secret agenting in The Agency

by Kevin Kelly { Aug 18th 2008 at 6:45PM }

Although it was dangled in front of us like a tantalizing carrot, it looks like you won't be able to get any cross-gaming action between PS3s and PCs out of Sony's upcoming spy MMO, The Agency. Last year, designer Hal Milton told us the developer weas looking at it, but in a recent interview with Eurogamer it looks like he's closed the door on things for good. You can thank Shadowrun for ruining it all.

"PC guys say, 'PS3 guys have aim assist and the controls nerfed for them'. And PS3 guys say, 'PC guys have a mouse and keyboard - it's all easier for them'. Even if it's not true." Not that we're complaining, because Shadowrun made us a bit mental. But this really needs to happen in a fun way sooner or later. Which title is going to be able to nail it down and make it work? Super Mario Crossover Party Platformer 2: Now With More Fun has our money.

Silver Live members get free cross platform title playtime through Fall

by Dustin Burg { Jul 29th 2008 at 3:15AM }

With Microsoft's Games for Windows reveal last week, where they announced all Games for Windows titles would be allowed to access a fully functioning Xbox Live without the need for a Gold account, comes word that ALL cross-platform titles on the Xbox 360 will be allowed access multiplayer functionality as well. Though, only for a limited time.

Shacknews confirmed the news with Microsoft which ultimately means that anyone who owns Universe at War, Shadowrun or Lost Planet: Colonies Edition on the Xbox 360 can play multiplayer online against 360 and PC Live members with a free Silver Xbox Live account. The catch being that this free Xbox 360 cross-platform gaming is more of a promotion and will only last until the rollout of the Fall update later this year. So, if you're part of the Silver crowd, own 360 versions of any of the games listed above and have the urge to play online, you better enjoy it while it lasts. Your freeloading time is limited.

[Thanks, to everyone who sent this in]

Deals time: Alone in the Dark, Battlefield and more

by Dustin Burg { Jun 22nd 2008 at 3:00PM }

It's Sunday and that means it's time to open up the newspaper and analyze those Sunday retail ads. Joy! And if you're in the market for Alone in the Dark this week, you're in luck, because there are numerous deals to be had. So, let's get to it ...

The only 360 deal Best Buy has going this week is a free $10 gift card with Alone in the Dark and, well ... that's it. Circuit City on the other hand is giving away a $10 J!nx gift card with Alone in the Dark, a free $10 gift card, weapon unlock code and grenade keychain with Battlefield: Bad Company, a free Hellboy II movie ticket with Hellboy: The Science of Evil, and either Bully: SE or SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 for $30. Also, if instant discounts are more your thing, Gamestop is offering Alone in the Dark for the discounted price of $50. Finally, (for our Canadian shoppers) Best Buy Canada is giving away Guitar Hero III with any Xbox 360 console purchase and either Shadowrun, Blue Dragon, Viva Pinata Party Animals or Project Sylpheed for $20. Enjoy Sunday and enjoy shopping.

Ask X3F: yet more questions edition

by Richard Mitchell { Jan 15th 2008 at 4:15PM }

And the Ask X3F questions keep coming. It's okay though. We're here for you, gentle fanboys. This week we take a look at the nefarious problem with using your premium content (i.e. Xbox Live Arcade games) on a replacement 360. We also chat about missing Marketplace ads, N+, MSN Alerts, and how the find bloggers of Xbox 360 Fanboy landed such a sweet gig. Continue on to reload your mental weapon with bullets ... of knowledge.

If you've got a question or just something you'd like to share with the Xbox 360 Fanboy community, send it to: ask [at] xbox360fanboy [dawt] com.

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Shadowrun forums close as franchise transitions into new hands

by James Ransom-Wiley { Jan 4th 2008 at 1:45PM }

Ms. Kimona has dropped by the official Shadowrun forums to let everyone know (all three of you) that the boards will be nailed shut in a few weeks, and eventually Shadowrun.com will be transitioned over to new caretaker (and original creator) Jordan Weisman, who recently formed Tinker & Smith and promptly borrowed back several neglected franchises, including ill-fated Shadowrun. Kimona has urged all members to pack up their dwarves and pot up those Trees of Life for the long journey over to the Shadowrun forums on Xbox.com, or better, suggest a more fitting meet-up site – how about FASA's deserted offices?

Plug is being pulled on Shadowrun forums

by Dustin Burg { Jan 3rd 2008 at 1:45PM }

Depressing news fellow Shadowrun fanboys. The official Shadowrun forums are being shut down soon due to the fact that most of the original FASA employees have moved on to other roles within' Microsoft and there isn't enough staff to keep watch. As a result, we advise quickly make your way to the forums and posting until your Shadowrun heart is content. Though, there is a semi-silver lining to the forum shutdown. Shadowrun.com and its contents will be transferred over to the new Shadowrun IP owners Smith & Tinker, so they'll have free range to do whatever they wish with the Shadowrun.com name. You had a good run fellow friend, but now it's time to move on to a brighter future.

[Via Shadowrun the blog]

CVG picks the Best and Worst Box Art of 2007

by Griffin McElroy { Dec 29th 2007 at 3:00PM }

Regardless of your loyalties to any particular console, we think we can all agree that 2007 was a damn fine year for video games as a whole. Every system had a number of well received games over the past year, as reflected by the fairly diverse Game of the Year lists springing up around the video game blogosphere. The gaming industry has grown and further caught the attention of the mainstream business media. A video game broke the one-day entertainment sales record in the States. It was a year that all of us, gamers and professionals alike, can feel very good about.

Except for you, box art designers. While the rest of the video game industry strove to bring their "A game", or rather, their "AAA game" this year, you chose 2007 to be the year when you collectively dropped the ball. Computer and Video Games has a chronicling of your failure; from Shadowrun's poorly drawn case, to the nightmarish box art for Cheggers' Party Quiz; and who could forget the decadently homoerotic cover for Fire Pro Wrestling Returns? Not us. We've tried.

FASA founder buys Shadowrun and other IPs

by Dustin Burg { Dec 8th 2007 at 12:45PM }

When FASA Studios closed its doors a few months back, we thought it was the end of Shadowrun and FASA games as we knew them. But today we find it's not. FASA founder Jordan Weisman has been busy lately, he just created a new game studio called Smith & Tinker and (get this) bought up all of FASA's original IPs from Microsoft. Yup. Weisman and Smith & Tinker now own the Shadowrun IP as well as MechWarrior and Crimson Skies. What will they be doing with these oldy, but golden IPs? They're not ready to show us their hand just yet, but they do promise to "surprise and delight old fans, while welcoming new fans to these fantastic worlds". Anyone up for an Xbox 360 Crimson Skies sequel in 2010?

[Via IGN]

Weisman licenses MechWarrior, Shadowrun, Crimson Skies rights back from MS (internet finally notices)

by James Ransom-Wiley { Dec 6th 2007 at 5:59PM }

On October 15th, Smith & Tinker, Jordan Weisman's new venture-backed startup, announced the licensing of the "electronic entertainment" rights to a number of Weisman's creations back from Microsoft. The deal, apparently done quietly (and ages ago in web-time), puts franchises like MechWarrior, Shadowrun and Crimson Skies back in Weisman's hands. Previously, these properties were managed and developed by FASA, another Weisman credit, which was sold to Microsoft in 1999 and dissolved several months ago.

With Microsoft suddenly short on internal development teams, the most action the FASA catalog has been seeing is a polite dusting off ever few months before being re-shelved. While Weisman and co. have yet to detail the projects, a job listing calling for online game expertise suggests MMOs could be in the works. A posting on the Smith & Tinker website assures fans that "our goal is to surprise and delight old fans, while welcoming new fans to these fantastic worlds."

[Via Gamasutra]

FASA Studio closes its doors

by Dustin Burg { Sep 13th 2007 at 11:00AM }

Some sad news hit the internets late last night with the revelation that FASA Studio, the team behind the recently released Shadowrun, has closed their doors. Mitch Gitelman posted the news on the official Shadowrun forums saying that the entire crew has known about FASA Studio's sad fate for a while, but they held off announcing their shutdown so it wouldn't affect Shadowrun's release or the perception of the game. The good news is that all of FASA's employees are being dissolved into Microsoft Game Studios and should be able to find projects that they can get excited about and support. Rest in peace FASA Studio, you will always hold a dear place in our hearts, will forever be missed and know that your work will always live on.

[Via Hushed Casket]

FASA Studio is dead

by Alexander Sliwinski { Sep 12th 2007 at 11:45PM }

FASA Studios, the company behind Shadowrun, is no more -- it has ceased to be. The announcement was made after close of business today on the Shadowrun boards. The post states that those who did not move onto other positions at Microsoft Game Studios are now out of work. A Community Manager and Tech Support Manager will still have a job to support the game, the post says they chose to wait on the announcement because they "didn't want people's attention distracted from our last product Shadowrun, a game we love."

Well, at least they did. We said it before and we'll say it again: Poor Shadowrun! The game probably could not have had more things going against it. It was the perfect storm of a half-game with some peripheral Vista drama, going out to an uninterested audience, during the worst time imaginable for an online game during the Halo 3 beta. Shadowrun was just so absolutely doomed. Goodbye FASA, hopefully your splintered team will show what they're truly capable of next time.

[Thanks Wes and Michael]

Sarcastic Gamer: Shadowrun is a Bad Game

by Dustin Burg { Aug 27th 2007 at 4:00PM }

Sarcastic Gamer is up to their expressive ways again, this time directing their anger and musical talents towards FASA Studios' Shadowrun. Their latest song "Bad Game" is a parody of Daniel Powter's "Bad Day" with lyrics targeted towards bashing what they feel are the worst games of 2007, most notably Shadowrun. Sarcastic Gamer is ready for the emails, hatred and verbal abuse Shadowrun fans will bring after hearing the song, so go ahead give it a listen to see if "Bad Game" captures your feelings. If not, show Sarcastic Gamer the angry!

X3F Achievements 101: Star Power, Summon, Strangle, & Sniping

by David Dreger { Aug 24th 2007 at 11:00AM }

While a little later than usual, there's another wonderful X3F Achievements 101 for you this week. A first for the column, a reader organized a gaming session in Shadowrun, and the latest downloadable content for Guitar Hero II threw some Achievements that are now easier to get, if you're willing to pay for the content. We're also testing out a new timeslot, posting the column at the tail end of the work week instead of at the beginning. So, continue on to another action packed Achievements 101.

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