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Shadowrun Returns stripped of DRM

Shadowrun Returns Harebrained Schemes

Shadowrun Returns lost goodwill with its fanbase when it went back on its Kickstarter promise of being DRM-free. However, after new negotiations with Microsoft, who have a significant stake in the Shadowrun franchise, developer Harebrained schemes has come to a new agreement.

They can now “release fully DRM-free versions of Shadowrun Returns and future expansions such as Berlin.”

Harebrained shared the news through a Kickstarter update:

“We just want to send out a quick update to share some good news. Thanks to a new agreement we were able to negotiate with our partners at Microsoft, Harebrained Schemes is pleased to announce that we are now able to release fully DRM-free versions of Shadowrun Returns and future expansions such as Berlin.

“The DRM-free versions of SRR and Berlin will continue to be fully supported. You’ll be able to download all game patches, use the Shadowrun Returns editor and experience user-generated content downloaded from third-party sites such as Nexus.”

As well as the news about a DRM-free release of the game, the team are trying to get their game up on the GOG store.

Development of Shadowrun Returns’ Berlin campaign continues but the real news of last month was the release of the Linux version of the base game. The new version of the game can be downloaded through Steam.