Harebrained Schemes – best known for tactical strategy RPGs – has been purchased by Paradox Interactive. The deal means that Paradox has complete control over the company, including staffing and future game development. For now, the creative teams at Harebrained are remaining intact, which is good news for fans.

Harebrained Schemes has done well for itself as a small developer. The developer is entirely responsible for game versions of the pen and paper Shadowrun series. Set in a fantasy future, Shadowrun is a cyberpunk dystopia blended with fantasy elements like orcs, elves, magic, and dragons. Under Harebrained Schemes, Shadowrun did well, perfectly capturing the atmosphere and personality of the futuristic world. Most recently, Harebrained worked with Paradox to produce BattleTech.

BattleTech was another strategy RPG, this one focusing on the mecha side of science fiction. Based on the boardgames and novels from the franchise, BattleTech has done very well for itself. Released in April of 2018, the game currently has over six thousand Steam reviews, with nearly 80% of those positively reflecting on the game. Fans have especially pointed out the attention to story, dialogue and detail, something the Shadowrun series was also famous for. BattleTech was also a huge success in community funding. The game started off on kickstarter with a goal of $250,000. The campaign ended up making ten times its original investment goal, reaching up to $2.7 million in community funding, proving that there is definitely a fanbase and desire for strategy RPGs.

As for what changes will come to Harebrained, the answer seems to be very few. On their Kickstarter page, the team made a video to share their feelings and excitement to join Paradox, who they called, “The single best publisher we’ve worked with.”

For Paradox Interactive’s part, the acquisition makes a lot of sense. Their previous series have included Cities Skylines, Europa Universalis, and Stellaris. Nearly all of their biggest titles have had a strong emphasis on simulation or strategy, making Harebrained a perfect fit to their company. In fact, the strategic quality of Harebrained games seemed greatly improved between their last Shadowun game and the new BattleTech.

For all intents and purposes, this seems like a solid move for both companies, and it will hopefully lead to even more strategy games. We also wouldn’t complain if Harebrained decided to look back into Shadowrun, maybe making a more in-depth title for the new generation of gaming.