Slashdot Mirror

The previously mentioned Shadowrun Fourth Edition is apparently going to be more than just a rules overhaul. Rumours circulating on the fan forum Dumpshock.com have been confirmed by a post to the livejournal of Adam Jury, the webmaster for the Shadowrun website. From the post: "No self-respecting shadowrunner will do anything illegal, so they now all ride pedal-bikes everywhere." Indeed, posts to the Dumpshock message boards now indicate that Shadowrun will be a cyberpunk flavoured messenger game, which will draw on materials such as A Coder in Courierland and other first hand accounts of bike messenger life. Players will take on the roles of "Shadow Runners", individuals who move packages, letters, and blueprints (by hook or by crook) across the post-industrial remains of the city of Seattle. Major development time has apparently been spent on the delivery mechanics, bike customization rules, and seduction tables (both for receptionists and secretaries). The new rules set is still expected out at this year's GenCon game fair. Update: 04/02 18:02 GMT by Z : April 1st hoax story.

Thanks to several readers for pointing to an official press release indicating that collectible strategy game maker WizKids has been bought by sports card maker Topps. WizKids are particularly well-known for their comic-book based HeroClix collectible strategy-game miniatures, which come in DC, Marvel, and Indy flavors, as well as other products in the Mage Knight/MechWarrior/Shadowrun lines - their well-known founder, Jordan Weisman, also founded FASA Corporation/Interactive, and helped create the AI web mystery game.