Joystiq

'Shadowrun Returns' on July 25

Alexander Sliwinski — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 15:30:00 EST

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.

'Shadowrun Returns' on July 25 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 18 Jun 2013 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Shadowrun Returns' non-Kickstarter reward DLC to require Steam, DRM

Jordan Mallory — Sat, 13 Apr 2013 13:30:00 EST

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!]

Continue reading Shadowrun Returns' non-Kickstarter reward DLC to require Steam, DRM

Shadowrun Returns' non-Kickstarter reward DLC to require Steam, DRM originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 13 Apr 2013 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Shadowrun Returns confirmed for June, pre-order arrivals outlined

Alexander Sliwinski — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 11:00:00 EST

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 confirmed for June, pre-order arrivals outlined originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 10 Apr 2013 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Shadowrun Returns... with 20 minutes of in-game footage

Alexander Sliwinski — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 11:15:00 EST

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... with 20 minutes of in-game footage originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 08 Mar 2013 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Shadowrun Returns pushed back to May, June 2013

Mike Suszek — Sun, 25 Nov 2012 12:00:00 EST

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 pushed back to May, June 2013 originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 25 Nov 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Shadowrun Returns trolls the internet with in-game assets

Richard Mitchell — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 03:30:00 EST

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: Shadowrun Returns (Backgrounds and Character Models)

Shadowrun Returns trolls the internet with in-game assets originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 05 Sep 2012 03:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Shadowrun Returns concludes Kickstarter at $1.8 million in contributions

Alexander Sliwinski — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 12:45:00 EST

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 concludes Kickstarter at $1.8 million in contributions originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 30 Apr 2012 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Shadowrun Returns says let's get physical, physical

Jessica Conditt — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 22:30:00 EST

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.

Shadowrun Returns says let's get physical, physical originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 14 Apr 2012 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Welcome back, Shadowrun

Kat Bailey — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 16:30:00 EST

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.

Continue reading Welcome back, Shadowrun

Welcome back, Shadowrun originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 13 Apr 2012 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Shadowrun Returns: $1 million in pledges guarantee Linux port

David Hinkle — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 20:30:00 EST

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: $1 million in pledges guarantee Linux port originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 11 Apr 2012 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Shadowrun Returns' Kickstarter funding brings game to Mac, adds Riggers

David Hinkle — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 09:30:00 EST

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 funding brings game to Mac, adds Riggers originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 09 Apr 2012 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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'Shadowrun Returns' Kickstarter goal met, still a month left to raise more dough

Ben Gilbert — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 16:10:00 EST

If you haven't yet donated to the Kickstarter for Shadowrun's original creator, you're not too late. You can't, however, tell people that you helped make the dream come true, as the project dubbed "Shadowrun Returns" is now officially funded. The Kickstarter launched just over 24 hours ago, and nearly 10,000 people felt it was worth contributing to, putting the current total at approximately $430,000.

As previously noted, there's still plenty of time to back the project between now and the Kickstarter's end date in 23 days. There's even one (of three) $10,000 tier level options still available, should you be feeling especially saucy today.

'Shadowrun Returns' Kickstarter goal met, still a month left to raise more dough originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 05 Apr 2012 16:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Shadowrun Returns: Kickstarter for a sequel from Shadowrun vets

David Hinkle — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 21:00:00 EST

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.]

Shadowrun Returns: Kickstarter for a sequel from Shadowrun vets originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 04 Apr 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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