Shadowrun Online unveiled

By Wesley Yin-Poole Published 13 October, 2011

Developer after a publisher.

A developer is making a new Shadowrun game: Shadowrun Online.

It is a PC browser-based game.

The developer, Jagged Alliance Online maker Cliffhanger Productions, is after a publisher and distributor.

Shadowrun is a near-future Cyberpunk role-playing setting that has enjoyed millions of book sales and spawned four video games.

The game is being made with the help of original creator Jordan Weisman, Cliffhanger said.

The last Shadowrun game launched in 2007 as an ambitious cross-platform PC and Xbox 360 title. Kieron Gillen reviewed for Eurogamer, awarding a 6/10.

"Here at Cliffhanger Central we have been busy sticking it to the megacorps and trying to go solo on developing the game," wrote the developer in Shadowrun Online's first newsletter.

"So far we have gained at least enough creds to go into pre-production and will kick off our development next month. That being said - if any of you can spare a million or two, we are happy to help you spend it."

While details are scarce, we know this much: Shadowrun Online will have a perspective camera in a 3D setting, "much like our Jagged Alliance Online game."

"So, it will be a decent quality, but it won't be what some call AAA. The reason for that is simple: We are doing a browser-based game. This means anyone can access it at any time from their PC, no downloading, no hassle. But that also means we need to limit visuals. I hope you agree that gameplay is king, so we think the visuals are decent enough."

Shadowrun Online will feature two major parts: the action map, from which you and your friends do missions, and the city overview map, where players prepare for missions.

The image below is described as a "very early prototype".

Picture of Wesley.

About Wesley Yin-Poole

Wesley is Eurogamer's news editor. He likes news, interviews, and more news. He also likes Street Fighter more than anyone can get him to shut up about it.

Read more articles from Wesley by visiting the Wesley Yin-Poole archive page.

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Comments (17) Latest comment 7 months ago

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  • addugg #1 7 months ago

    I thought Shadowrun was actually a good game. It was just a bit rushed a missed crucial features.

  • Caimbeul #2 7 months ago

    Shodowrun in the SNES was one of the greatest games ever. Nice to see an isometric view again and hopefully it will be RPG centric.

  • Jesterrr #3 7 months ago

    I think the term you were looking for is "Cyberpunk" and also; isn't that the most pointless screenshot ever?

  • bobfish09 #4 7 months ago

    Can't wait, been waiting a long time for a new Shadowrun game (Microsoft's pathetic FPS doesn't count).

  • bigjimbeef #5 7 months ago

    Caimbeul basically said what I wanted to. I recently replayed the entirety of Shadowrun SNES on my phone, and even the absolute bloody nightmare of a virtual d-pad couldn't diminish how good that game is.

    One of a very few minority of genuinely well-paced and interesting RPGs in that setting. If they made it anything like that, I can imagine this being something I would keep an eye out for.

  • ShiroBen #6 7 months ago

    "Near-future steampunk", surely that's a contradiction in terms? Cyberpunk is the word you're looking for.

    And this could be a good game if it was completely different in every conceivable way. The Shadowrun setting is rich and detailed and deep and interesting, it's almost like a crime that it's treated so shabbily. Multiplayer, honestly.

    Also, 'creds'? Nuyen, I believe.

  • Markusdragon #7 7 months ago

    I've said it before, and I'll say it again; Cyberpunk is the new Post-Apocolypyia.

  • Nazo #8 7 months ago

    If it's browser based why do they need a publisher and distributor?

  • gav_and_the_gavster #9 7 months ago

    + alot for the SNES Shadowrun love. Still play it through every now and again, would make for a great update. Just add twin stick controls so you can move and use the crosshair for firing/casting spells/picking things up at the same time.

  • mcreddie #10 7 months ago

    I completely agree with addugg, it was a great game. The combat was tight, it created some great moments with the unique perks, the characters genuinely had their own strength each, and it was fun. I personally couldnt see much wrong with it at all, apart from the fact nobody wanted to play it.

    Gotta say, the evolution of this game is essentially BRINK. Which was diabolical and scored an 8/10.

  • Alestes #11 7 months ago

    I would love to see an Shadowrun that is open-ended and single player like The Elder Scrolls series, that would be awesome :)

  • Caimbeul #12 7 months ago

    I just think it is a shame it is browser based. This could be a great release for Steam maybe?

    We actually know very little about it. heres to hope!

  • YenRug #13 7 months ago

    @ShiroBen

    You do realise that Shadowrun was originally a pen-and-paper RPG, don't you, i.e. you get together with friends to create a team of Runners? Whilst the SNES RPG was mainly focused on one character, you did create a team of support characters; as to the MS FPS game, well, less said the better as that had pretty much bugger all to do with the real Shadowrun. So, that whole multiplayer thing you seem to have a problem with? Yeah, you're not really in touch with what Shadowrun is about barring the setting.

  • DrStrangelove #14 7 months ago

    All thumbs up for Shadowrun SNES. That game blew my mind away, I played it through again with Snes9x, and I'm actually not at all interested in Shadowrun books, cards, dice or whatever. It was just such a bloody good game.

  • scoop #15 7 months ago

    Heh my wife was going through old boxes a few weeks ago, and pulled out a bunch of old Shadowrun rule books. Waving them in the air she says "Can I throw this old crap away?"

    Nearly ended in divorce. Very fond memories of playing Shadowrun PnP as a lad. Shame nobody could ever possibly do it justice (especially in a browser...damn you Unity3D)...it was just too wild and cool.

    SNES version was ace though. Platforms are just so much bigger now...which just means failures have further to fall...

  • gallow #16 7 months ago

    Having got an xperia play last week I am currently playing the SNES Shadowrun on it. That game is responsible for my complete collection of Shadowrun novels and massive love of the universe. Hopefully this game lives up to various Shadowrun game ideas I had over the years.

  • Droogie #17 7 months ago

    There isn't anywhere near enough cyberpunk games at all- let alone good ones, but to have a new one announced and for it to be Shadowrun is excellent news!