Paradox and Harebrained Schemes ‘Parting Ways’ After Lamplighters League

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Paradox Interactive and developer Harebrained Schemes have announced they are parting ways on January 1, 2024, following the commercially disappointing release of The Lamplighters League.

In a press release, the two entities stated that the split was the result of a “mutual agreement” related to “strategic and creative priorities”, and would result in Paradox retaining ownership in The Lamplighters League, and Battletech. Harebrained will continue supporting Lamplighters League through the end of this year.

“Paradox has refocused its strategy towards its core niches within strategy and management games with endless qualities,” said Charlotta Nilsson, COO of Paradox, on the separation. “We and HBS’ 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. Hence, we believe that a separation would be the best way forward.”

Harebrained Schemes is a Seattle-based studio founded in 2011 that became known for its creation of the Shadowrun franchise — though the last Shadowrun game was Shadowrun: Hong Kong in 2015. In 2018, Paradox acquired the studio and published both Battletech and The Lamplighters League.

Paradox has refocused its strategy towards its core niches within strategy and management games with endless qualities

Our 7/10 own review of Lamplighters League praised the way the game “takes proven concepts from other tactics games and puts them together into a novel blend.”

However, Paradox referred to Lamplighters League as a “big disappointment” just last week that did not make its investment back, and earlier this year it reportedly laid off 80% of Harebrained Schemes staff in an attempt to write-down costs. It is unclear where Harebrained Schemes goes from here, though the studio says it expects to seek new funding and publishing opportunities elsewhere.

Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. Got a story tip? Send it to rvalentine@ign.com.