Harebrained Schemes and Paradox Interactive Part Ways

[T0@st]

Paradox Interactive (Paradox) and Harebrained Schemes (HBS)—developers of the Shadowrun trilogy, BATTLETECH and The Lamplighters League—have decided to part ways on 1 January 2024. The separation is the result of a mutual agreement, stemming from each party's strategic and creative priorities. Paradox will retain ownership of The Lamplighters League and other games developed by the studio. HBS will seek new publishing, partnership, and investment opportunities.

"Paradox has refocused its strategy towards its core niches within strategy and management games with endless qualities," said Charlotta Nilsson, COO of Paradox. "We and HBS' leadership have been discussing what would happen after the release of The Lamplighters League, but a new project or sequel in the same genre was not in line with our portfolio plans. Hence, we believe that a separation would be the best way forward. We're very happy that this talented, gifted studio has the chance to continue and can't wait to see what they will make next."




"Harebrained Schemes will support The Lamplighters League through the end of the year while we seek funding and partnerships for an independent future in 2024," said Brian Poel, Studio Operations Manager of HBS. "Our studio mission remains the same: to make games that challenge your mind and touch your heart."

Sneak, steal, and shoot your way through a world of pulp adventure in The Lamplighters League! Globetrot across a variety of exciting locales around the world and outwit your enemies in strategic turn-based combat - and, if you play your cards right, you might just save the world.

Out Now: https://bit.ly/3thlC2i

View at TechPowerUp Main Site | Source

 

[Dristun]

Paradox will retain ownership of The Lamplighters League and other games developed by the studio.

So... does that mean a sequel to Shadowrun from HBS is now ruled out?

 

[ZoneDymo]

marketing failed hard on this one

 

[qlum]

So... does that mean a sequel to Shadowrun from HBS is now ruled out?

Retaining ownership of the games does not mean ownership of the underlying IP, nor does it mean it can't be licensed out in the future.

 

[LabRat 891]

I'm curious.
Was the license for BattleTech and Shadowrun associated to Paradox, or to HBS?

 

[cvaldes]

I'm curious.
Was the license for BattleTech and Shadowrun associated to Paradox, or to HBS?

I don't think anyone here can answer definitely since they don't have the contract(s) in front of them.

However based on this: "Paradox will retain ownership of The Lamplighters League and other games developed by the studio. HBS will seek new publishing, partnership, and investment opportunities" it sounds like Paradox (the publisher) retains IP rights for the various titles.

Therefore, Paradox would have the ability to hire a different studio to continue with whatever franchises they wish to extend. They just won't be created by developers on the HBS payroll.

 

[Vayra86]

The end of free money... no more wild adventures in gaming land.

Hopefully it means less game releases in general and of higher quality. Quantity is pointless and we're getting way too much for our own good. The better half is abandonware.

 

[Random_User]

As about topic. I'm not fan of the "Battletech" game and the series. However it was the newest and sole tactical game on virtual universe of the same name after MechCommander instalments. This move by HBS (Same founder, that established FASA corp and entire Battletech, MechWarrior and MechCommander brands) is another nail into coffin for BT.
With the other ones being complete fail (MWO, MW5), and their developer PGI continues to milk the same stuff and recipe they used since 2013, without even trying to improve.
But at least "Battletech" game was best among the newest MW and BT games with the same assets (yes. HBS's Battletech shares the very same assets as MWO and MW5).

It would be great though, if the series got as much love and treatment as the original and current community developers put into free MWLL game.

Spoiler: Offtopic

But this series status is beyond hope. Since MW5 is nothing else, but MWO on UE4. And basically the game is up to this day unplayable, without tons of custom workarounds made by community modders, which being screwed with each patch/DLC. Thus forcing the modders to do all hard work again and again, the very same way modders were fixing and "upgrading" Bethesda games for ages.

To rub the salt in the wounds, the next MW5: Clans instalment is yet to be a DLC, but now stand-alone and using UE5. I think one can guess what this is going to be.

The end of free money... no more wild adventures in gaming land.

Hopefully it means less game releases in general and of higher quality. Quantity is pointless and we're getting way too much for our own good. The better half is abandonware.

Not for long though. With this AI game lazy-ass game development, they don't want any hurdles on their path of quickbuck. So this is obvious, the publishers gonna do everything, to erase any mentioning of their previous successful releases. So abandonware is a matter of time.

Look how they were intentionally impede the spread of "revived" titles such as BF2/2142. Busting each server that pop, because it "harms" their new titles. They even closed BFBC2, because the gamers were pointing it as a better game than their BattleFailed 2042. (I'm not BF person, it was just an single game/series example).

I don't think anyone here can answer definitely since they don't have the contract(s) in front of them.

However based on this: "Paradox will retain ownership of The Lamplighters League and other games developed by the studio. HBS will seek new publishing, partnership, and investment opportunities" it sounds like Paradox (the publisher) retains IP rights for the various titles.

Therefore, Paradox would have the ability to hire a different studio to continue with whatever franchises they wish to extend. They just won't be created by developers on the HBS payroll.

In shot words Codemasters/Bohemia Interactive "Operation Flashpoint" drama all over again.

 

[cvaldes]

In shot words Codemasters/Bohemia Interactive "Operation Flashpoint" drama all over again.

I'm not an IP attorney nor can I predict the future but for sure both sides here seem to understand that January 1, 2024 will be a little different (business-wise) than December 31, 2023.

Again, it really comes down to the contract(s) between these two entities. No one here has seen these. However it is unsurprising that the publisher (Paradox) owns the IP. Whoever pays usually keeps the pink slip. Even if HBS came up with the initial concept, they probably sold the rights to Paradox in exchange for funding.

 

[LabRat 891]

I don't think anyone here can answer definitely since they don't have the contract(s) in front of them.

However based on this: "Paradox will retain ownership of The Lamplighters League and other games developed by the studio. HBS will seek new publishing, partnership, and investment opportunities" it sounds like Paradox (the publisher) retains IP rights for the various titles.

Therefore, Paradox would have the ability to hire a different studio to continue with whatever franchises they wish to extend. They just won't be created by developers on the HBS payroll.

I'm not an IP attorney nor can I predict the future but for sure both sides here seem to understand that January 1, 2024 will be a little different (business-wise) than December 31, 2023.

Again, it really comes down to the contract(s) between these two entities. No one here has seen these. However it is unsurprising that the publisher (Paradox) owns the IP. Whoever pays usually keeps the pink slip. Even if HBS came up with the initial concept, they probably sold the rights to Paradox in exchange for funding.

Thanks for the input.
With the possibility that the publisher retains IP;
I'm more-hopeful to see the former FASA IPs in better hands.
Paradox already owns a long-reputed Strategy developer, Triumph Studios.

Paradox Interactive acquires Age of Wonders dev Triumph Studios

Paradox Interactive is adding more talent to its stable of strategy developers. The company revealed today that it has acquired Triumph Studios, which is the team responsible for the turn-based strategy game Age of Wonders. Paradox also owns all of Triumph’s assets as well in a deal worth $4.5...

venturebeat.com

Triumph Studios - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

As about topic. I'm not fan of the "Battletech" game and the series. However it was the newest and sole tactical game on virtual universe of the same name after MechCommander instalments. This move by HBS (Same founder, that established FASA corp and entire Battletech, MechWarrior and MechCommander brands) is another nail into coffin for BT.
With the other ones being complete fail (MWO, MW5), and their developer PGI continues to milk the same stuff and recipe they used since 2013, without even trying to improve.
But at least "Battletech" game was best among the newest MW and BT games with the same assets (yes. HBS's Battletech shares the very same assets as MWO and MW5).

It would be great though, if the series got as much love and treatment as the original and current community developers put into free MWLL game.

Spoiler: Offtopic

But this series status is beyond hope. Since MW5 is nothing else, but MWO on UE4. And basically the game is up to this day unplayable, without tons of custom workarounds made by community modders, which being screwed with each patch/DLC. Thus forcing the modders to do all hard work again and again, the very same way modders were fixing and "upgrading" Bethesda games for ages.

To rub the salt in the wounds, the next MW5: Clans instalment is yet to be a DLC, but now stand-alone and using UE5. I think one can guess what this is going to be.

Not for long though. With this AI game lazy-ass game development, they don't want any hurdles on their path of quickbuck. So this is obvious, the publishers gonna do everything, to erase any mentioning of their previous successful releases. So abandonware is a matter of time.

Look how they were intentionally impede the spread of "revived" titles such as BF2/2142. Busting each server that pop, because it "harms" their new titles. They even closed BFBC2, because the gamers were pointing it as a better game than their BattleFailed 2042. (I'm not BF person, it was just an single game/series example).

'Respect the passion, and the detail(s).
Other than coming-off blackpilled on the subject, I can't disagree.

It would be great though, if the series got as much love and treatment as the original and current community developers put into free MWLL game.

This in-particular, very yes.

Look how they were intentionally impede the spread of "revived" titles such as BF2/2142. Busting each server that pop, because it "harms" their new titles. They even closed BFBC2, because the gamers were pointing it as a better game than their BattleFailed 2042. (I'm not BF person, it was just an single game/series example).

Or MechWarrior4 being pulled from Freeware-status? 'not the only fandom/community that's happened to.
At least amongst the 'big players' in the industry, it seems normal to purposefully impede and actively stop aftermarket community efforts. Esp. when they have new published titles using the IP.

In shot words Codemasters/Bohemia Interactive "Operation Flashpoint" drama all over again.

I'll have to look into that. I only-vaguely remember hearing about this.
IMO, a lot of poingant industry-drama of old, seems monetized-normalized at this point.

 

[Robin Seina]

I'm curious.
Was the license for BattleTech and Shadowrun associated to Paradox, or to HBS?

Both BattleTech and Shadowrun IPs came originaly from FASA, which came into ownership of Microsoft. HBS got licence for those games from MS. Shadowrun games were released before Paradox bought HBS, so the agreement was certainly made with HBS directly. With BattleTech it is harder to say.

Since it seems that paradox will retain ownership of all their previous games, HBS might make (with new license from MS) another Shadowrun game, but without Paradox permission, they won't be able to use anything original from their previous games.

 

[Random_User]

'Respect the passion, and the detail(s).
Other than coming-off blackpilled on the subject, I can't disagree.

I didn't mean any to make any inconvenience. I just meant that "Battletech" game, despite being very solid, is still kinda old. People need more quality BT games. The only hope, is that the departure between Paradox and HBS, will lead to better and more friendly publishers for the last. So HBS might do something nice in the future.

Spoiler

Or MechWarrior4 being pulled from Freeware-status? 'not the only fandom/community that's happened to.
At least amongst the 'big players' in the industry, it seems normal to purposefully impede and actively stop aftermarket community efforts. Esp. when they have new published titles using the IP.

Yes and no. It was announced and released at first for free by MekTek. And this is actually first time I've seen that MS allowed game to be freeware. But later it ceased to be free. And with all this license mess, I think nobody can truly say for sure if it's status is still freeware. Especially the latest MekTek version, it's still not distributed openly. At least this is what is known to me. Don't quote me on that.

In any case, with all the BT/MW IP license turmoils, nobody can be sure in anything, except being sued either by MS as ultimate game IP holder, or Harmony Gold, as an IP troll. And there's actually so many quirks with all these MW/BT games licenses that it requires to be a lawyer to figure out what is going on there.

However what I think would be better for everyone, is if BT/MW IP would become freeware/opensource, or at least would be returned to it's creators. But that's my "two cents"

I'm not an IP attorney nor can I predict the future but for sure both sides here seem to understand that January 1, 2024 will be a little different (business-wise) than December 31, 2023.

Again, it really comes down to the contract(s) between these two entities. No one here has seen these. However it is unsurprising that the publisher (Paradox) owns the IP. Whoever pays usually keeps the pink slip. Even if HBS came up with the initial concept, they probably sold the rights to Paradox in exchange for funding.

Thanks for explanation. Hopefully their IP disputes won't hurt anybody. However this is still sad, since these license/IP hurdles benefit no one.

Anyway. This is just another company. Not the first, not the last.

 

[LabRat 891]

I didn't mean any to make any inconvenience. I just meant that, it's strange, that the person that created the FASA and Battletech/Mechwarrior and MEchCommander, to have so low input into the series. [snip]

Lol. No inconvenience; just came off a little 'harsh'/empassioned. Couldn't disagree with any of it.

I'll reserve my own comments on former-FASAs' input (or lack thereof).