Harebrained Schemes
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Video games |
| Founded | 2011 |
| Founder | Jordan Weisman, Mitch Gitelman |
| Headquarters | Seattle, Washington , United States |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Jordan Weisman, Mitch Gitelman |
| Products | Video games including Shadowrun Returns, Shadowrun: Dragonfall, Shadowrun: Hong Kong, Golem Arcana, Necropolis, BattleTech, The Lamplighters League |
Number of employees | Under 60 (mid-2015) |
| Parent | None (independent since January 1, 2024) |
Harebrained Schemes, LLC is a United States-based video game development firm situated in Seattle, Washington. Established in 2011 by entrepreneurs Jordan Weisman and Mitch Gitelman, the company builds upon Weisman's earlier tenure at FASA, where he contributed to notable series such as MechCommander and Crimson Skies. By mid-2015, the team size was under 60 employees. In June 2018, Paradox Interactive acquired Harebrained Schemes for $7.5 million; however, the studio regained its independence on January 1, 2024, following a mutual agreement to part ways.
History
Harebrained Schemes commenced operations with mobile game releases Crimson: Steam Pirates (2011) and Strikefleet Omega (2012), both of which garnered critical praise and industry accolades. The company then strategically pivoted towards rejuvenating classic franchises through crowdfunding initiatives. In 2012, it successfully secured $1.8 million via Kickstarter for Shadowrun Returns, becoming one of the earliest developers to exceed $1 million on the platform. This achievement confirmed Kickstarter as a sustainable funding avenue for their expansion.
Subsequently, Harebrained Schemes broadened the Shadowrun franchise with Shadowrun: Dragonfall, initially offered as a complimentary expansion for backers before its standalone release, followed by Shadowrun: Hong Kong, which raised $1.2 million through Kickstarter in 2015. These entries earned favorable reviews with Metacritic ratings between 76 and 87, strengthening the studio’s position in the tactical RPG market segment.
Expanding beyond digital-only products, Harebrained Schemes created the hybrid tabletop game Golem Arcana, supported by a $500,000 Kickstarter campaign. Launched in 2014, this title integrated physical miniatures with a Bluetooth-enabled application to facilitate gameplay, showcasing an innovative fusion of digital technology and traditional board gaming.
In 2014, the company unveiled plans for Necropolis, an action roguelike slated for a 2016 release. By mid-2015, preparations were underway for a fourth Kickstarter campaign centered on Battletech. Leveraging Weisman's founding role and original creation of the franchise helped attract backers. The campaign debuted in September 2015 with an initial goal of $250,000, which was surpassed within an hour; additional funds enabled expanded features including single-player content and multiplayer options.
The acquisition by Paradox Interactive in 2018 integrated Harebrained Schemes into a broader corporate framework aimed at maximizing its leadership and intellectual properties. Nonetheless, following disappointing sales of The Lamplighters League in 2023 and subsequent workforce reductions, both parties agreed to separate. Harebrained Schemes returned to independent status while Paradox retained publishing rights to existing releases.
This progression underscores Harebrained Schemes’ flexible business approach focused on harnessing crowdfunding platforms, revitalizing established franchises, and sustaining agility amid the competitive landscape of the video game industry.
Games developed
| Year | Title |
|---|---|
| 2011 | Crimson: Steam Pirates |
| 2012 | Strikefleet Omega |
| 2013 | Shadowrun Returns |
| 2014 | Shadowrun: Dragonfall |
| 2014 | Golem Arcana |
| 2015 | Shadowrun: Hong Kong |
| 2016 | Necropolis |
| 2018 | BattleTech |
| 2023 | The Lamplighters League |
| TBA | GRAFT |