Never underestimate the level of passion hardcore PC gamers have for their games. That’s the point driven home by Harebrained Schemes’ upcoming Shadowrun: Hong Kong, whose Kickstarter surpassed its funding goal within just hours.
Shadowrun: Hong Kong is the successor to 2013’s Shadowrun Returns and its expansion, Dragonfall. The game was successfully funded to the tune of $1.8 million and received positive reviews upon release, with many praising its well written story and satisfying turn-based combat.
Riding on that wave of success, Harebrained, led by Shadowrun creator Jordan Weisman, are set to begin development on Hong Kong, which, as you might imagine, takes place in the former British colony in the year 2056. Players assume the role of a Shadowrunner drawn to a city where social status and prestige matter as much as one’s cybertech and magic. According to the game’s Kickstarter page, a “supernatural force that corrupts and consumes everything it touches” is also on the rise.
Like its predecessors, Shadowrun: Hong Kong puts you in command of a squad of other Shadowrunners: a female ork shaman named Gobbet, a security specialist named Duncan Wu, Is0bel, a dwarf decker, and Racter, a human rigger. More characters will be added to the game should funding reach certain milestones. At the present, a “Former Red Samurai” known as Gaichu is next in line for inclusion. Further milestone rewards include side missions for your companions and improved sound effects.
The studio initially asked for $100,000 in funding, but within hours they accrued $336,98. With 34 days to go before funding ends, they are well on track to match, if not surpass, the funding of Shadowrun Returns. Pledge rewards include a digital copy of the game, exclusive in-game portraits, sourcebooks, artbooks, and at the highest level, a visit to Harebrained’s studios and co-executive producer credits.
As always, Harebrained intend to release Hong Kong exclusively on the PC sometime in mid 2015, citing the platform’s superior capabilities.