Shadowrun Shadowrun Returns - Dead Man's Switch Original Campaign

Kem0sabe · Oct 17, 2013

Roguey said:
Level scaling.

That's the least of it's problems...

Zetor · Oct 17, 2013

Hm, lots of good editor stuff in 1.1 -- may even inspire me to polish up the second half of my module and release it to the public. I was worried this game would be put on the backburner due to all the Golem Arcana hype...

e:
Also, here's my mini-review of the short stories within the book. It's definitely a good idea to finish the game before reading the book (says so in the foreword).

Locks and Keys: Not a 'real' SR story, but I liked it (especially the MUSH part).
No Sharper Spur: I always hated SR elf lore, so this story left me cold. Decent writing, though.
Belonging: Really typical "Dear Diary, Let Me Tell A Story About My Descent Into Madness" pseudo-horror, but adds some depth to some antagonists at least.
Evolution: Awww, look at the bad guy getting humanized (ork-anized?). Was OK, and pretty SR-y.
Road to Hell: Made me wonder just how much of Samedi's story ended up getting cut from SRR -- seemed to be a potentially interesting character. Oh well.
But Loyal to His Salt: Doesn't seem to go anywhere. Pass.
Dinner with a Friend: Best story in the book, as long as you don't think the 'S' in SR stands for 'serious'.
Cherry Bomb: Yea, this one is just bad.
Blowing Sky High: A standard revenge story, and not a good one at that.
Past Salvage: Didn't really stick with me, I probably missed a lot of the references to dragons and whatnot.
Showtime: I think this is probably the best 'run' in the book.
Dog Tags: Good for what it is™. I never played the SNES game, but I figured he had to have a Mary Sue story somewhere in this book.
White Hat, Black Bag: This reads like an excerpt from a longer novel or something, but I heart cyberzombies, so it gets a pass.
Never Alone: Much more horrifying than 'Belonging' imo. Liked it.
The Deep End: No spoilers, but I liked this one quite a bit... also adds depth to some side characters.
A Night's Work: Just as good as the Shadowrun ad of the same name (look it up on youtube). Ho ho ho.

ERYFKRAD · Oct 19, 2013

Vinnie said:
Joined:Thursday

DeepOcean · Oct 19, 2013

Zetor said:
Also, here's my mini-review of the short stories within the book. It's definitely a good idea to finish the game before reading the book (says so in the foreword).

Locks and Keys: Not a 'real' SR story, but I liked it (especially the MUSH part).
No Sharper Spur: I always hated SR elf lore, so this story left me cold. Decent writing, though.
Belonging: Really typical "Dear Diary, Let Me Tell A Story About My Descent Into Madness" pseudo-horror, but adds some depth to some antagonists at least.
Evolution: Awww, look at the bad guy getting humanized (ork-anized?). Was OK, and pretty SR-y.
Road to Hell: Made me wonder just how much of Samedi's story ended up getting cut from SRR -- seemed to be a potentially interesting character. Oh well.
But Loyal to His Salt: Doesn't seem to go anywhere. Pass.
Dinner with a Friend: Best story in the book, as long as you don't think the 'S' in SR stands for 'serious'.
Cherry Bomb: Yea, this one is just bad.
Blowing Sky High: A standard revenge story, and not a good one at that.
Past Salvage: Didn't really stick with me, I probably missed a lot of the references to dragons and whatnot.
Showtime: I think this is probably the best 'run' in the book.
Dog Tags: Good for what it is™. I never played the SNES game, but I figured he had to have a Mary Sue story somewhere in this book.
White Hat, Black Bag: This reads like an excerpt from a longer novel or something, but I heart cyberzombies, so it gets a pass.
Never Alone: Much more horrifying than 'Belonging' imo. Liked it.
The Deep End: No spoilers, but I liked this one quite a bit... also adds depth to some side characters.
A Night's Work: Just as good as the Shadowrun ad of the same name (look it up on youtube). Ho ho ho.

So it is like most Shadowrun novels and short stories, mostly shitty with flashes of brillance here and there. Man, I love the setting and read alot of source books but when I tried to read the novels... Elves everywhere, I want my sanity back! :lol:

Magellan · Oct 31, 2013

Just noticed that Shadowrun Returns is $13.39 on Gamersgate now. Sale ends in about 8 hrs.

Jasede · Oct 31, 2013

$13.39 too much.

Infinitron · Oct 31, 2013

Linux: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1613260297/shadowrun-returns/posts/646403

Linux Time!

We’re pleased to announced that the Linux version of Shadowrun Returns is now available on Steam and in the Download section of your HBS account (which you’ll find here). From this point on, Linux will receive updates at the same time as the Windows and OSX versions of the game. Thanks to all the Linux Beta Testers for their feedback. Much appreciated!

In addition to Linux support, version 1.1 of Shadowrun Returns has moved from Beta to release and the game will automatically update the next time you launch it on Steam. As mentioned in our last update, we also added quite a few new editor features in this release in anticipation of the Berlin campaign. You can find the entire change log here. Our next big code update will feature expanded save game functionality.

In other news, we are doing the final passes on the French, Italian and Spanish versions of the game which will be ready for release in the next few weeks. We anticipate the German and Russian translations to be delivered from our translators in November, and after we do a little in-house testing we will release those as well.

For GMs using the editor to create their own Shadowruns, we’re working on some new tutorial videos for you. We’ll put them up on our YouTube channel in the next couple of weeks.

And while we’re talking about the editor, Jordan and Mitch’s Let’s Play #3: Razor’s Edge by Obsidian_Razor is up on our YouTube channel now. You can grab some popcorn to watch the full version or take a look at the Highlights Reel. We’re very excited about the cool content you’re creating and the boys look forward to playing more of it! And remember, if you subscribe to the channel, you’ll automatically get mail to let you know when a new Let’s Play or tutorial is released.

Onward to Berlin!

HBS

Gord · Oct 31, 2013

It's still on sale on GMG at 33% off today, worth getting for that? I'm unsure...

Edit: Hm, anyway less than 4 hours to go. Unlikely I'll be at home by then.

DeepOcean · Oct 31, 2013

Gord said:
It's still on sale on GMG at 33% off today, worth getting for that? I'm unsure...

Edit: Hm, anyway less than 4 hours to go. Unlikely I'll be at home by then.

If I were you I would hold up until they release Berlin, if it is really good, you buy later. If it isn't, well the DMS is entertaining but is hardly something that you would regret for skipping. Unless you are a Shadowrun fanatic, in this case I recommend.

Roguey · Oct 31, 2013

Wait for the winter holiday Steam sale at least. This 33% is just a last cash injection before the deep discount.

Infinitron · Nov 12, 2013

The great Shadowrun DRM crisis has come to an end: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1613260297/shadowrun-returns/posts/659187

DRM's End

Hey Everyone!

We just want to send out a quick update to share some good news. 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.

The DRM-free versions of SRR and Berlin will continue to be fully supported. 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.

We’re starting work to get Shadowrun Returns available on GOG.com right now - not sure how long that will take but we’ll let you know as soon as we have an answer.

We’re very excited we’re finally able to offer Shadowrun DRM-free to everyone and look forward to making it available!

Take care,

HBS

V_K · Nov 12, 2013

So much bashing gone to waste... :cool:

Horus · Nov 12, 2013

Great game but sadly most of the mods have problems with the last patch. It's really impossible to play most of them due to bugs and glitches.

stony3k · Nov 13, 2013

I can see how that might happen, as they seem to be making many changes for Berlin including to the save system. I would wait until after Berlin before modding can really take off.

Koschey · Nov 13, 2013

Damn, I have to admit I'm surprised HBS got MS to ease their grip a little. Pretty quickly too. Respect where respect is due. :salute:

Now if they rework the save system (as they seem to be doing) and perhaps enable scenespecific persistent variables for the editor, my most egregious gripes about the game would be swept aside. Most everything else is up to content, but that's where hopefully quality user content will enter the fray.

almondblight · Nov 13, 2013

Koschey said:
Now if they rework the save system (as they seem to be doing) and perhaps enable scenespecific persistent variables for the editor,

Aren't those two the same thing? I assumed the issue with saves was that without persistent variables, everything would just reset when the game was loaded.

Anyway, I agree, the game seems to be shaping up pretty nicely. It's had some good mods so far, but I imagine we'll see a jump post-Berlin.

Zetor · Nov 13, 2013

Yep. I've been working a lot on my campaign, but I don't plan on releasing it until I see just how the 'new save system' functions -- since taking advantage of actual area / character persistence would require some major rethinking of some areas.

F'rex, if it's possible to have (friendly/enemy) characters persist between maps without any extra work, it'd make my job about 1000% easier... I'd rather not set up eleventy billion global variables and triggers in each map to do that now only to find out it's not necessary after all. It may also be possible to make missions a lot less linear without having to worry about their individual states of each map, so I could have the player actually walk through the ship decks on their own (on a timer) instead of handling it through "where do you want to go next" multiple-choice questions and a lot of extra logic necessary to support all of the choices and what the player may encounter at a certain point of time (see: Last Express). Etc etc.

Koschey · Nov 13, 2013

almondblight said:
Aren't those two the same thing? I assumed the issue with saves was that without persistent variables, everything would just reset when the game was loaded.

Yeah, that's right, the perhaps was pretty redundant (or rather should be). I'm still wary of some derpy surprise out of left field, though. Manual saving, but everything still has to be stored in globals or something.

DeepOcean · Nov 13, 2013

Zetor said:
Yep. I've been working a lot on my campaign, but I don't plan on releasing it until I see just how the 'new save system' functions -- since taking advantage of actual area / character persistence would require some major rethinking of some areas.

F'rex, if it's possible to have (friendly/enemy) characters persist between maps without any extra work, it'd make my job about 1000% easier... I'd rather not set up eleventy billion global variables and triggers in each map to do that now only to find out it's not necessary after all. It may also be possible to make missions a lot less linear without having to worry about their individual states of each map, so I could have the player actually walk through the ship decks on their own (on a timer) instead of handling it through "where do you want to go next" multiple-choice questions and a lot of extra logic necessary to support all of the choices and what the player may encounter at a certain point of time (see: Last Express). Etc etc.

My dream is persistent conversation status where every time you created a conversation, a variable attached to it would be created and saved, so you could have conversation checkpoints. The way it is now of making different versions of the same character with different conversations and placing triggers and global variables everywhere is really ineficient. For every second you spend making a dialog, you spend another 3 to just make the damn dialog to not break entirely. It is no wonder why there is so no C&C in the campaign.If I didn't needed to care with so many fucking variables and triggers, my campaign would be alot easier to make.

mindx2 · Nov 19, 2013

New BERLIN CAMPAIGN update: (Yeah, you can now save anywhere! Hopefully that will improve the mod scene greatly.)

Project Update #67: Dragonfall
Posted by Harebrained Schemes LLC ♥ Like
Hey All!

Tomorrow, we will announce the title of the new Berlin expansion, Shadowrun: Dragonfall. Along with all the details, we’ll also be unveiling the game’s logo and a cool new illustration to go with it. As our Backers, we wanted to share this with you before the rest of the world gets it.

Here’s the official scoop:

BERLIN. The Flux-State: a stable anarchy enforced by an ever-shifting coalition of megacorps, political factions, and savvy power players. A place where almost anything goes and the right connections can be the difference between success and starvation. Dangerous jobs abound and there’s no better place to earn a quick payday - provided you live long enough to spend it. For you and your team of battle-scarred runners, it’s just another day in the Free City of Berlin.

But a new threat is rising, one that could mean untold chaos and devastation. The only clue: whispers of the DRAGONFALL, a long-forgotten event from the earliest days of the Awakened world. As you find yourself drawn into a maze of veiled dangers and strange machinations, you will come face-to-face with a grim spectre of the past… and alter the course of Berlin’s future.

SHADOWRUN: DRAGONFALL FEATURES

Experience a New Full-Length Campaign: Return to the “Tech meets Magic” future of Shadowrun as you and your team of runners get drawn into a treacherous conspiracy. Operating out of an offbeat central hub neighborhood, you’ll choose which missions to accept and how you’ll approach them while navigating the dark underbelly of “the Flux”.

An Exciting New Locale: Shadowrun: Dragonfall transports runners to the Free City of Berlin, a thrilling Shadowrun setting full of gorgeous new hi-res environments, a diverse new cast of characters, and a new soundtrack by the composer of the original Sega Genesis Shadowrun game, Sam Powell.

Command Your Team: Lead a small team of shadowrunners, each with their own outlook and backstory. Each member of your team is designed to play an interesting role during missions and has a unique set of skills, abilities, strengths, and weaknesses.

New Weapons, Cyberware, Enemies & More: Try your hand at the long-range sniper rifle, devastating grenade launcher, or stun-inducing taser. Chrome yourself out in the latest cyberware and take on deadly new enemies - including new magical creatures like gargoyles and fire drakes. Dragonfall brings a host of new items, characters, portraits, and improvements to the Shadowrun Returns experience.

Save Anywhere: You can save your progress at any time during the game. This functionality will also be added to the original Shadowrun Returns “Dead Man’s Switch” campaign.

New Game Editor Features: A wide range of enhancements to the game editor for community content creators - including a scripting system to better control lighting, tracking mission objectives in the main game UI, placing exploding barrels, and allowing players to input keypad passwords and custom text strings in conversations. In addition, content creators will be able to use all of the new Berlin environment art, items and characters in their own stories along with assets from the original Shadowrun Returns campaign.

Shadowrun: Dragonfall will be released January 2014 for Windows, OSX, and Linux and will be free to Backers. You’ll get the same number of Steam keys you received for the original game via our Backer website and details about how you’ll get your DRM-free version will come in a future update. Dragonfall will launch at $14.99 and we’ll also release the Shadowrun Campaign Pack on the same day. The campaign pack contains the original game and the Dragonfall expansion in one package for only $24.99. We think it’s a great way to get new players into Shadowrun.

And finally, here’s a new wallpaper for y’all. We can’t wait to show you more Dragonfall over the next two months!

Talk to you soon,

HBS

Shadowrun: Dragonfall Wallpaper 16:10 | 1920×1200 | 1680×1050 | 1440×900 | 1280×800

Shadowrun: Dragonfall Wallpaper 16:9 | 1920×1080 | 1600×900 | 1366×768 | 1280×720

Shadowrun: Dragonfall Wallpaper 4:3 | 1600×1200 | 1024×768