Harebrained Schemes has met its Kickstarter goals, and Shadowrun Returns will be coming to Macs (and PC, Linux, iPad, and Android tablets). Jordan Weisman, the creator of the original cyberpunk/fantasy RPG series, is behind the effort.
The Kickstarter program for Shadowrun Returns was set up with an initial goal of $400,000, which was met in a single day. They expanded it to $1.75 million, and it finished with over $1.8 million. The good news for Mac gamers – A Mac version was added at the $15 pledge level. They received some really high-profile support early on in the Kickstarter campaign, including Wil Wheaton, Felicia Day, and Nathan Fillion.
Harebrained Schemes is going to develop the game as a turn-based single-player 2D game. It will not resemble the Microsoft Game Studios version, but instead will resemble the games that Super Nintendo and SEGA Genesis fans are used to. There will even be a mission that links the SNES and SEGA Genesis games for those who contributed to the Kickstarter program.
The Shadowrun franchiase was created by Weisman at FASA (which he founded) as a tabletop/pen-and-paper RPG back in the 1980s. Weisman reacquired the rights several years ago. He describes Shadowrun Returns as a:
graphically rich 2D turn-based single player game with deep story interaction, meaningful character development, and highly-contextual tactical combat.
The game is projected to be available sometime early in 2013, possibly January, and will not have DRM (Digital Rights Management). Harebrained Schemes has developed other games, including Crimson: Steam Pirates – Bungie Aerospace Corporation (iTunes App Store).
Note: This is not Shadowrun Online, but Shadowrun Online will tie into Shadowrun Returns.
Links:
– Shadowrun Returns on Kickstarter
– Shadowrun Returns Official Site
– World of Shadowrun Primer
– Shadowrun (Universe) at Wikipedia
via Gamasutra