HomeNewsThe Lamplighters League
Image credit:Rock Paper Shotgun/Paradox Interactive
Image credit:Rock Paper Shotgun/Paradox Interactive
Paradox appear to have scented defeat early on - the companylaid off a “significant” proportion of Harebrained’s staff this summer, as the game entered its final phase of development, making the whole thing feel rather like a fait accompli, though this may have just been the sadly routine business of scaling down as projects near completion.
Harebrained Schemes - which was founded in 2011, and flogged to Paradox in 2018 - will continue to support The Lamplighters League till the end of 2023 while seeking funding and partnerships for their new career as an independent. “Our mission remains the same: to make games that challenge your mind and touch your heart,” studio operations manager Brian Poel said in a statement.
“Paradox has refocused its strategy towards its core niches within strategy and management games with endless qualities,” Paradox chief operational officer Charlotta Nilsson said in the same release. “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,” Nilsson went on. “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.”
According toone rumour from a self-described anonymous staffer, Harebrained Schemes pitched a new Battletech game to Paradox before the decision to cut ties. Here’s hoping the remnants of the studio find success elsewhere.
