Paradox Interactive and Harebrained Schemes will split on January 1, 2024, after nearly five years of working together. Paradox Interactive purchased the studio in 2018 for $7.5 million and 25 percent of earnings.
Now, after Harebrained Schemes’ latest title, The Lamplighter’s League failed to materialize much hype, Paradox announced it was writing down the project despite not expecting to recoup development costs for the project.
“Paradox Interactive and Harebrained Schemes – developers of the Shadowrun trilogy, Battletech and The Lamplighters League – have decided to part ways on 1 January 2024. The separation is the result of a mutual agreement, stemming from each party’s strategic and creative priorities. Paradox will retain ownership of The Lamplighters League and other games developed by the studio. HBS will seek new publishing, partnership, and investment opportunities,” says a press release from Paradox Interactive COO Charlotta Nilsson.
“Paradox has refocused its strategy towards its core niches within strategy and management games with endless qualities. 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. 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.”
Brian Poel, the Harebrained Schemes’ studio manager said, “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. Our studio mission remains the same: to make games that challenge your mind and touch your heart.”
