In my youth, I spent a lot of time and money playing a pen and paper role-playing game called Shadowrun. Its unique mixture of a near-future, cyberpunk world with elements of high fantasy made it an irresistible lure for a kid who'd grown tired of slaying dragons with swords and wanted to try a rocket launcher instead.
That property spawned two of the best transitions from the tabletop to the television in the 16-bit era but was dissed pretty heavily when Microsoft acquired FASA Studios (acquiring the Battletech license for Mechassault as well as snagging Crimson Skies) and produced an online-only multiplayer FPS which eschewed most of the setting that made Shadowrun such an amazing game in the first place.
Fans of Shadowrun who were (rightfully) disappointed are getting some good news, as Cliffhanger Productions has announced their work on Shadowrun Online, a browser-based game focused more on combat strategy than twitch reflexes. The team has brought on a group of writers, community members and fans to consult on the project, including series creator Jordan Weisman, to ensure that fans get the game they've always wanted.
I'm not a huge fan of browser-based games driven by microtransactions, but I don't have any opposition to them either. And I think I would play a Shadowrun game of that sort. I can't help wishing for a big console release with an open-world, a high-tech Oblivion with corporate espionage. That doesn't seem likely, so I'm going to console myself that a group of people who seem to genuinely care about the license are doing something with it.
Shadowrun Returns As A Non-FPS [GameSetWatch]
Conrad Zimmerman is Destructoid's News Editor and home to the busiest mustache in the gaming press. An amateur historian and pop culture fanatic, Conrad possesses a nearly limitless wealth of videogame factoids and a passion for the power of games to teach, inspire and entertain. He enjoys reading, writing and turning things which should be fun into work.
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Contest:
10:30 PM on 10.13.2011 | 
This is the same developer doing that browser-based Jagged Alliance game. I guess we can base how well they'll handle Shadowrun based on that release.
Clearly, their heart is in the right place since they are making the most faithful sequels to long-gone franchises (in comparison to the 360 Shadowrun and the Jagged Alliance shooter coming out). Hopefully they'll be able to pull it off.
Sigh.
I'm not gonna lie, this game doesn't look up to the old masterpieces but it's a good step in the right direction.
but i want more of an actual roleplaying type game. and this looks like it might fill a void for a little while. but until a shadowrun game like skyrim comes out. i wont care.
Don't care for browser games, but I'd give this a shot.
Y'know, it makes me wonder why nobody ever did anything like this, let alone, even thought of it. Get Bethesda on the phone!
Now I really have the urge to play some Shadowrun right about now.
Still have my copies for both genesis & snes, they only ones I've held on to from that era.
I'd pay money for this.
This certainly makes up for the very generic fps that was crapped out...so fing painful to watch the beloved titles of my childhood twisted beyond recognition so you can look down the barrel of a gun.
Thank you Cliffhanger Productions, I wish much success with this project.
Shadowrun online presents a dystopian society in the near future of the 2070s, when the clashes between advanced
technology and magic are irreconcilable, and when hackers and street ruffians are haunting around.
http://www.dotmmo.com/shadowrun-online-8685.html