Shadowrun Returns Post-funding Update #49: Release Date , Pre-order and DLC Details

A release window for the title, the date for the start of pre-orders, when and how will physical rewards ship and similar details are included in the latest Shadowrun Returns post-funding update. Here’s a sampling:

When will the game be released?

Shadowrun Returns will release in June.

How will I download the game when it’s released?

After a lot of prototyping and research, we decided that our best delivery option for OSX/Windows/Linux is to go the route that great games (like Skyrim!) have taken and embrace Steam and the Steam Workshop. Steam allows us to provide up-to-date downloads and patching along with a vibrant ecosystem for developing community-created content and file sharing.

So, we’re happy to announce that all Backers will receive a Steam Key for the game and will be able to contribute and browse community-created content using Steam Workshop.

We realize that for some of you, releasing on Steam isn’t your first choice but there are a lot of really great things we get from this decision that allow us to focus on the game rather than on making things like backend servers to deploy and manage shared content. From the start, we’ve had to make practical decisions like this one to ensure we get the most out of the support you’ve given us. We consider this to be the best option for everyone.

Now, that may prompt the question, (What about DRM-free?) To honor our original promise of a DRM-free version of the game, the Harebrained Account Website will also contain a downloadable version of Shadowrun Returns that does not include Steam integration. While this version will include the Seattle story (and Berlin, via a one-time update), without Steam integration, it will be unable to browse and play community-created stories from within the game. Any future DLC will only be available through Steam.

Will people be able to pre-order the game on Steam?

Yes. Pre-orders for Shadowrun Returns and the Shadowrun Returns Deluxe Edition will be available on Steam Monday, April 29th 2013. Again, the last chance to pre-order the Collectors Edition or get the pre-order discounts on harebrained-schemes.com is Sunday, April 28th 2013. Please spread the word.

When do I get the Linux version of the game?

As we said during the Kickstarter, we will release the Linux version in a reasonable timeframe after launch. We’ve done a few test builds in house but there are a fair number of issues remaining to be fixed. Rather than delay the entire release of the game to everyone, we’re going to focus on the non-Linux platforms first as they have the most support and are the furthest along in development.

What about the iOS and Android tablet versions of the game?

Tablet versions of Shadowrun Returns are not part of any Backer reward levels and will be available for purchase from the Apple and Android App Stores. Tablet versions will not include the Editor or have the ability to browse and play community-created content. We hope to bundle and add the best community-created content to the tablet versions of the game in the future.

It’s really disappointing to hear that the non-Steam version of the game won’t get the title’s DLC or community-created content, and I’m hoping that the developers will find a workaround for the latter after release.