Paradox Interactive and developer Harebrained Schemes have announced the two parties will part ways effective on January 1, 2024.
The separation, on mutual agreement, will see the Seattle-based developer looking for new “publishing, partnership and investment opportunities” while Paradox retains ownership of games developed by the studio, including the latest release, The Lamplighters League.
“We and [Harebrained Schemes]’ 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,” said Charlotta Nilsson, Paradox Interactive COO. “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 Harebrained Schemes. “Our studio mission remains the same: to make games that challenge your mind and touch your heart.”
Paradox acquired Harebrained Schemes for $7.5 million USD in 2018 after the success of Battletech. The studio developed a reputation of successfully adapting tabletop games into video games with the help of fans via Kickstarter, which Battletech and the recent Shadowrun trilogy (Shadowrun Returns, Shadowrun Dragonfall, Shadowrun Hong Kong) came from.
Their first original IP, and the first and last working under Paradox, was The Lamplighters League. The pulp strategy-RPG was not a hit commercially. “The commercial reception has been too weak, which is frankly a big disappointment,” said Paradox Interactive CEO Fredrik Wester in a previous announcement.
The Lamplighters League is out now on PC (Steam, Microsoft Store) and Xbox Series X|S. The game is also available on Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass.