Shadowrun (2007 video game)

Last updated
Shadowrun
Shadowrun box art 2.jpg
North American Windows Vista cover art
Developer(s) FASA Interactive
Publisher(s) Microsoft Game Studios
Designer(s) John Howard
Sage Merrill
Derek Carroll
Artist(s) Evan Marc Hirsch
Series Shadowrun
Platform(s) Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows
Release
  • NA: May 29, 2007
  • EU: June 1, 2007
  • AU: June 14, 2007
Genre(s) First-person shooter
Mode(s) Multiplayer

Shadowrun is a first-person shooter video game, developed by FASA Studio for Xbox 360 and Windows Vista. The game features a buying system which is inspired by the game Counter-Strike . The game is also inspired by the role-playing game of the same name.

Contents

Gameplay

Shadowrun's multiplayer consists wholly of a first-person/third-person deathmatch. Players choose various races with unique abilities. Additionally, a currency system dictates in-match upgrades, with each race given a different amount of starting capital. The four playable races are Human, Elf, Dwarf, and Troll. Magic is a key component to this game. Players can heal, damage, teleport, and summon to gain advantages over others. Additionally, gadgets, or "tech", are obtainable through currency. Currency also allows players to purchase new weapons.

Shadowrun features no campaign mode. If a user is without online services, they can set up bot matches and hone their skills.

Plot

According to the ancient Mayan calendar, magic is cyclical, leaving the world and returning every 5000 years. Magic enters the world, grows, peaks, and eventually retreats. When magic was last at its peak, a powerful Ziggurat was constructed near what would be modern day Santos, Brazil. The purpose of this construct is shrouded in the mists of history. Even the Chancela family, who secretly maintained the ziggurat for thousands of years, did not know its purpose, nor did they know the purpose of the strange artifact somehow connected to the ziggurat. In the millennia since its construction, the ziggurat was eventually buried, hidden in the side of a mountain. Then, on December 24, 2012, magic began returning to the world, leaving change and confusion in its wake.

The years after magic's return wrought change on a global scale. RNA Global, a powerful multinational corporation, sent a research team to Santos, Brazil. Their job was to explore and research the strange energies coming from a mountainside along one edge of Santos. Armed with an artifact from ancient times, the research team sought to channel and control the magical energies they were exploring. Instead, they caused a magical accident that destroyed half the city and brought down the mountainside, revealing the ziggurat to all. Deflecting blame for the incident to an Ork paramilitary organization, RNA retreated from the city while rethinking their strategy.

After a time, RNA Global returned to Santos, this time armed with a government contract that provided them control over the city. Vowing to keep the peace and clean up Santos, RNA's first actions were to enact martial law and declare a curfew for all citizens. The locals, still upset over the initial accident and trying to rebuild on their own, began resisting RNA's efforts. The resistance was helped greatly by the leadership of the Chancela family, who were dedicated to defending the ziggurat and recovering the artifact. Resistance turned to conflict, conflict turned to skirmish, and skirmish eventually plunged the city into all-out war. Eventually, forces began to organize themselves under the Chancela family, and became known as "The Lineage".

The battle between these two sides has grown to great proportions as of 2031, as the struggle for the artifact continues between RNA Global forces and The Lineage.

Development

Three video games based on the Shadowrun universe were created throughout the 1990s: one for the SNES, one for the Sega Genesis, and one other for the Mega-CD (released only in Japan). In January 1999, Microsoft purchased FASA Interactive, [1] acquiring the electronic rights to Shadowrun in the process. Microsoft then filed a trademark for the Shadowrun title in November 2004.[ citation needed ] Initial gameplay prototyping was done using the Halo: Combat Evolved engine while FASA Interactive worked on creating their own engine.[ citation needed ]

At E3 in May 2006, Microsoft officially revealed Shadowrun for Windows Vista and the Xbox 360. [2] Originally, the game was set to have a single-player campaign to complement the multiplayer. FASA Studio's Bill Fulton later revealed the campaign mode was cut due to "resource constraints" and the "quality over quantity" focus of development. [3]

Release

On September 12, 2007, FASA Studio announced its closure. [4] On January 7, 2008, it was announced that the dedicated servers hosted by Microsoft for PC users would be available until at least the beginning of February 2008, at which time plans for their future support would be evaluated. [5] The official Shadowrun forums were closed on January 31, 2008, [6] and the announcement also stated the Shadowrun.com domain name would soon be transferred to Smith & Tinker, the company which licensed the electronic entertainment rights for Shadowrun from Microsoft.

On December 15, 2009, the game was made available on the Games on Demand store for Games for Windows – Live, and was the second game to allow for Windows users to play with Xbox 360 users (the first being Final Fantasy XI in 2006). A Games for Windows – Live update released on November 15, 2010, changed the voice codec used by the platform. As a result, Shadowrun players on Windows and Xbox 360 can no longer hear each other in-game (though they can still hear other players on the same platform). [7] It was later cracked to work on Windows XP, [8] confirming speculation that it was intentionally limited to Windows Vista.

Reception

The game received "mixed or average" reviews on both platforms according to the review aggregation website Metacritic. [9] [10] In Japan, where the Xbox 360 version was ported for release on June 21, 2007, Famitsu gave it a score of 28 out of 40, while Famitsu X360 gave it a score of one seven, two eights, and one seven for a total of 30 out of 40. [15]

Vicious Sid of GamePro said of the Xbox 360 version, "For $30 or $40, Shadowrun would be a worthwhile online shooter, even if it is a little rough around the edges. As it stands, it's hard to make a glowing recommendation about a $60 game that includes virtually no offline mode, lacks variety in its weapons and match types, and suffers from rookie blunders in terms of presentation and interface. It all points to a rushed, chaotic development cycle." [29] [lower-alpha 2] A little later, however, Brian Newton said of the PC version, "Those able to play Shadowrun with an open mind and invest the time to learn the game will find one of the deeper online FPS games to date. The fine-tuned balance of the numerous powers and technology throws a spin on the usual formula. It may not be for those looking for a simple pick up and play experience, or those who aren't willing to push past its initial barriers. For everyone else, though, there is an experience here well worth the cost of entry that becomes more interesting the more you play and will last quite a while." [30] [lower-alpha 3]

On June 22, 2007, FASA Studio head Mitch Gitelman provided an in-depth 40 minute interview, on the podcast KOXM, regarding the game and its critical reviews. [31] He defended the pricing over the long term value of gameplay compared to other first-person shooters: [32]

The most important thing is the value of what you're getting, I think there is value there at the $60 price point. If you play just about any first person, next-generation shooter that's come out recently, you're looking at the single player game being about 10 hours. I've been playing Shadowrun for three years... You can see this game truly has legs. So, ten hours of gameplay for sixty bucks, plus some probably-lame multiplayer they tacked on, versus Shadowrun that you can play, let's say, for years.

Sales

As of July 31, 2007, the game sold roughly 162,000 units in North America according to NPD Group with 150,000 being in sold on the Xbox 360 and the remaining 12,000 on the PC. [33] Upon release Shadowrun debuted as the sixth highest selling game out of 40 titles for the week ending June 2, 2007, in the United Kingdom. [34] The game fell off the UK charts the week ending June 30, 2007. [35]

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Three critics of Electronic Gaming Monthly gave the Xbox 360 version each a score of 5/10, 7/10, and 8/10.
  2. ↑ GamePro gave the Xbox 360 version 3.75/5 for graphics, two 3.5/5 scores for sound and control, and 3.25/5 for fun factor.
  3. ↑ GamePro gave the PC version 4/5 for graphics, two 4.25/5 scores for sound and fun factor, and 4.5/5 for control.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Xbox Game Studios</span> American video game publisher

Xbox Game Studios is an American video game publisher based in Redmond, Washington. It was established in March 2000, spun out from an internal Games Group, for the development and publishing of video games for Microsoft Windows. It has since expanded to include games and other interactive entertainment for the namesake Xbox platforms, other desktop operating systems, Windows Mobile and other mobile platforms, web-based portals, and other game consoles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jordan Weisman</span> American video game designer

Jordan Weisman is an American game designer, author, and serial entrepreneur who has founded five game design companies, each in a different game genre and segment of the industry.

<i>Shadowrun</i> (1993 video game) 1993 video game

Shadowrun is a cyberpunk-fantasy action role-playing video game for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, adapted from the tabletop role-playing game Shadowrun by FASA. The video game was developed by Australian company Beam Software and first released in 1993 by Data East.

<i>Test Drive Unlimited</i> 2006 video game

Test Drive Unlimited is a 2006 racing video game developed by Eden Games and published by Atari for Xbox 360 and Microsoft Windows. Atari Melbourne House developed the PlayStation 2 and PlayStation Portable versions. Being the eighteenth entry in the Test Drive series, Unlimited serves as a reboot of the franchise, discarding the continuity of the previous games. The game features over 125 licensed sports cars and motorcycles and the terrain is modeled after the Hawaiian island of Oʻahu that features over 1,000 miles (1,600 km) of roads and highways.

<i>FlatOut 2</i> 2006 video game

FlatOut 2 is a 2006 action racing video game developed by Bugbear Entertainment and published by Empire Interactive in Europe and Vivendi Universal Games in North America. It is the sequel to the 2004 game FlatOut.

<i>Tom Clancys Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter</i> 2006 video game

Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter (GRAW) is a tactical shooter video game released for the Xbox 360, Xbox, PlayStation 2 and Microsoft Windows in 2006. As in previous Ghost Recon games, players command their team while neutralizing hostile forces and completing various mission objectives. These objectives can range from escorting friendly units across the map to rescuing hostages or taking out enemy artillery.

<i>Tiger Woods PGA Tour 06</i> 2005 video game

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 06 is a sports video game developed by EA Redwood Shores for the GameCube, PlayStation 2, Xbox and Xbox 360 versions, Headgate Studios for the Microsoft Windows version, and Team Fusion for the PlayStation Portable version, and published by EA Sports for GameCube, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 2, Xbox, PlayStation Portable, and Xbox 360.

<i>Just Cause</i> (video game) 2006 action-adventure game

Just Cause is a 2006 third-person action-adventure game set in an open world environment. It is developed by Swedish developer Avalanche Studios and published by Eidos Interactive, and is the first game in the Just Cause series. It was released for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 2, Xbox, and Xbox 360. The area explored during the game is described as being over 1,024 km2 (395 sq mi) in size, with 21 story missions and over 300 side missions to complete.

FASA Studio was an American video game developer that was founded in 1994 in Chicago, Illinois by the tabletop game company FASA Corporation. FASA is an acronym for "Freedonian Aeronautics and Space Administration".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Games for Windows – Live</span> Former online gaming service

Games for Windows – Live or GFWL was an online gaming service used by Games for Windows–branded PC titles that enables Windows PCs to connect to Microsoft's Live service. Users, each with a unique Gamertag, are able to play online, keep track of their friends' status, send and receive messages, gain and keep track of Achievements and associated Gamerscore, voice chat across platforms, and more. Some games allow for cross-platform play, such as Shadowrun, putting Windows players against Xbox 360 players.

<i>Battlestations: Midway</i> 2007 video game

Battlestations: Midway is a video game developed by Eidos Hungary and released in 2007 for the Xbox 360 and Microsoft Windows. The Mac version of this game was developed by Robosoft Technologies, based out of India and published in July 2008 by Feral Interactive.

<i>NHL 08</i> 2007 video game

NHL 08 is a video game released on September 11, 2007 in North America; the Xbox 360 version was supposed to be released on the same date as the Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 2 and PlayStation 3 versions, but was postponed for a day due to shipping issues. This was the first installment to be released on the PlayStation 3.

<i>Race Driver: Grid</i> 2008 racing video game

Race Driver: Grid is a 2008 racing video game developed and published by Codemasters for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Nintendo DS, arcade, Java ME and OS X. It is the first game in the Grid series.

<i>Arcania: Gothic 4</i> 2010 video game

Arcania is an action role-playing video game, spin-off of the Gothic series, developed by Spellbound Entertainment. It was published by JoWooD Entertainment in 2010.

<i>NHL 09</i> 2008 video game

NHL 09 is the 17th video game in the NHL series released by EA Sports in 2008. This was the final NHL game to be released on the PlayStation 2 and Microsoft Windows.

<i>Stormrise</i> 2009 video game

Stormrise is a real-time tactics video game developed by Creative Assembly's Australian studio and published by Sega for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360. It's set in a post-apocalyptic world.

Jon Kimmich was a Lead Product Planner for Microsoft Games Studios during pivotal parts of the Xbox conception, launch and lifespan. Jon was instrumental in the acquisition of many titles for Microsoft Games Studios publishing for both the PC and Xbox platforms. Together with Ed Fries and Stuart Moulder, Jon was responsible for the acquisition of Bungie, FASA Interactive, and Digital Anvil. In addition to acquisitions, Jon secured publishing rights for Microsoft for externally developed games such as Dungeon Siege by Gas Powered Games, Rise of Nations from Big Huge Games, and MechAssault by Day 1 Studios as well as many internally developed games such as Crimson Skies, MechWarrior 4: Vengeance, Brute Force and Halo.

<i>Droplitz</i> 2009 video game

Droplitz is a puzzle video game developed by Blitz Arcade and published by Atlus USA. It was released for Xbox Live Arcade, PlayStation Network, Microsoft Windows and iOS in June 2009. In May 2012 a sequel called Droplitz Delight was released for Windows Phone.

<i>Faery: Legends of Avalon</i> 2010 video game

Faery: Legends of Avalon is a role-playing video game released for Xbox Live Arcade on 10 November 2010, and for PlayStation Network and Microsoft Windows in 2011. It was developed by Spiders Studio and published by Focus Home Interactive.

<i>Shadowrun</i> Tabletop science fantasy role-playing game

Shadowrun is a science fantasy tabletop role-playing game set in an alternate future in which cybernetics, magic and fantasy creatures co-exist. It combines genres of cyberpunk, urban fantasy, and crime, with occasional elements of conspiracy, horror, and detective fiction. From its inception in 1989, it has spawned a franchise that includes a series of novels, a collectible card game, two miniature-based tabletop wargames, and multiple video games.

References

  1. ↑ "Microsoft Acquires FASA Interactive". Microsoft . January 7, 1999. Archived from the original on March 13, 2007. Retrieved February 9, 2022.
  2. ↑ Cole, Vladimir (May 9, 2006). "Engadget & Joystiq's live coverage of Microsoft's Xbox 360 E3 event". Engadget (Joystiq). Yahoo. Archived from the original on May 16, 2006. Retrieved February 9, 2022.
  3. ↑ Cram, Robert (July 20, 2007). "Exclusive Shadowrun Interview with Bill Fulton of FASA Studios". MS Xbox World. Archived from the original on January 15, 2008. Retrieved February 9, 2022.
  4. ↑ Gitelman, Mitch (September 12, 2007). "FASA Studio has closed its doors". FASA Studio . Microsoft. Archived from the original on November 9, 2007. Retrieved February 12, 2008.
  5. ↑ Kimona (January 7, 2008). "Announcement: Dedicated Server Support". FASA Studio. Microsoft. Retrieved February 12, 2008.[ permanent dead link ]
  6. ↑ Kimona (January 31, 2008). "Forums Now Closed". FASA Studio. Microsoft. Archived from the original on February 6, 2008. Retrieved February 12, 2008.
  7. ↑ Wedge The Jedi (November 5, 2010). "LIVE System Update coming Nov 15th". Games for Windows – Live . Microsoft. Archived from the original on November 10, 2010. Retrieved February 9, 2022.
  8. ↑ Huang, Eugene (June 26, 2007). "Vista-only games cracked for XP". GamePro . IDG. Archived from the original on February 3, 2009. Retrieved July 9, 2007.
  9. 1 2 "Shadowrun (working title) critic reviews (PC)". Metacritic . Fandom. Archived from the original on September 10, 2022. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  10. 1 2 "Shadowrun (working title) critic reviews (X360)". Metacritic. Fandom. Archived from the original on June 25, 2022. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  11. 1 2 Dahlen, Chris (June 11, 2007). "Shadowrun". The A.V. Club . G/O Media. Archived from the original on June 26, 2009. Retrieved February 9, 2022.
  12. 1 2 Edge staff (August 2007). "Shadowrun". Edge . No. 178. Future plc. p. 88.
  13. ↑ Peckham, Matt; Hsu, Dan "Shoe"; Suttner, Nick (August 2007). "Shadowrun" (PDF). Electronic Gaming Monthly . No. 218. Ziff Davis. p. 78. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  14. 1 2 Gillen, Kieron (June 1, 2007). "Shadowrun". Eurogamer . Gamer Network. Archived from the original on June 3, 2007. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  15. 1 2 3 "シャドウラン [Xbox 360]". Famitsu (in Japanese). Enterbrain. Archived from the original on February 9, 2022. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  16. 1 2 Vore, Bryan (August 2007). "Shadowrun". Game Informer . No. 172. GameStop. Archived from the original on January 26, 2008. Retrieved February 9, 2022.
  17. 1 2 Hurh, J.P. (June 5, 2007). "Shadowrun Review". GameRevolution . CraveOnline. Archived from the original on September 9, 2015. Retrieved February 11, 2022.
  18. 1 2 Gerstmann, Jeff (June 1, 2007). "Shadowrun Review". GameSpot . Fandom. Archived from the original on June 25, 2022. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  19. ↑ Nguyen, Thierry (June 7, 2007). "GameSpy: Shadowrun (PC)". GameSpy . IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on June 11, 2007. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  20. ↑ Joynt, Patrick (June 7, 2007). "GameSpy: Shadowrun (X360)". GameSpy. IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on June 9, 2007. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  21. 1 2 "Shadowrun". GameTrailers . Viacom. June 2, 2007. Archived from the original on December 16, 2008. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
  22. ↑ David, Mike (June 14, 2007). "Shadowrun - PC - Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on January 25, 2009. Retrieved February 11, 2022.
  23. ↑ Aceinet (June 11, 2007). "Shadowrun - 360 - Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on February 2, 2009. Retrieved February 11, 2022.
  24. 1 2 Onyett, Charles (June 4, 2007). "Shadowrun Review". IGN . Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on December 23, 2023. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  25. ↑ Ring, Bennett (June 18, 2007). "Shadowrun: AU Review (Xbox 360)". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on February 9, 2022. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  26. ↑ "Shadowrun". Official Xbox Magazine . Future US. August 2007. p. 76.
  27. ↑ "Shadowrun". PC Gamer . Vol. 14, no. 9. Future US. September 2007. p. 54.
  28. ↑ "Shadowrun reviews". MobyGames . Atari SA. Archived from the original on February 14, 2022. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  29. ↑ Vicious Sid (June 5, 2007). "Review: Shadowrun (X360)". GamePro. IDG. Archived from the original on January 26, 2008. Retrieved February 11, 2022.
  30. ↑ Newton, Brian (June 7, 2007). "Review: Shadowrun (PC)". GamePro. IDG. Archived from the original on February 2, 2008. Retrieved February 11, 2022.
  31. ↑ "KOXM Episode 70". OXM Podcast. June 22, 2007. Archived from the original on June 28, 2007. Retrieved February 9, 2022.
  32. ↑ McWhertor, Michael (June 25, 2007). "Shadowrun Producer Says Shadowrun Reviews Suck Ass". Kotaku . Gawker Media. Archived from the original on September 30, 2007.
  33. ↑ Thorsen, Tor (September 13, 2007). "FASA Studio KIA". GameSpot. Fandom. Archived from the original on May 30, 2023. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  34. ↑ "TOP 40 ENTERTAINMENT SOFTWARE (FULL PRICE), WEEK ENDING 02 June 2007". Chart Track . July 11, 2007. Archived from the original on February 29, 2012. Retrieved January 18, 2010.
  35. ↑ "TOP 40 ENTERTAINMENT SOFTWARE (FULL PRICE), WEEK ENDING 30 June 2007". Chart Track. July 30, 2007. Archived from the original on July 19, 2011. Retrieved January 18, 2010.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.