Back in May, we spoke with Jordan Weisman and Mitch Gitelman of Harebrained Schemes. During our chat, we asked about other upcoming projects at the studio and were told that another of Weisman’s older IPs was under consideration.
Our guesses were Battletech or Crimson Skies, and today we know which. Harebrained Schemes is asking fans to help make Battletech a reality once more.
The Kickstarter will launch this fall for funding of a new, turn-based game set in the world of giant, armed-to-the-teeth mechs. When Harebrained Schemes last ventured to Kickstarter for Shadowrun: Hong Kong, it adopted a matured crowdfunding model.
The studio had base funding to make the game, but asked fans to contribute funds in order to make it a bigger, meatier game. Given the language in the media alert, we suspect the same model will be in play for Battletech when Harebrained Schemes begins to seek assistance later this year.
As for Shadowrun: Hong Kong, it will arrive on August 20. This makes the gap between crowdfunding completion and release a mere six months, delivering on the promise to release the latest installment this summer.
Our Take
I’m thrilled that Battletech is coming back. Given Harebrained Schemes success with its more mature version of crowdfunding, there’s every reason to expect the company to deliver on all its promises in a timely fashion. I’m looking forward to seeing how this comes together.