The Shadowrun Returns story has already been â€˜kickstartedâ€™ with development of the game and now with the creation of a fiction anthology based in Shadowrunâ€™s cyberpunk reality. Already one of the most anticipated games for 2013, according to several top gaming websites, Shadowrun Returns is a graphically rich, single-player, turn-based tactical RPG that will release for PC, Mac and Apple and Android tablets. Shadowrunâ€™s dynamic gaming world is beloved by fans around the world who clamored for its return by participating in a massively successful Kickstarter project that surpassed its goal by raising 5 times its initial funding request.

Harebrained Schemes, led by Shadowrun originator Jordan Weisman, has teamed up with Catalyst Game Labs to create one of their most eagerly anticipated Kickstarter rewards, the Shadowrun Returns Anthology of all-new short stories that tie into the gameâ€™s world.

â€œFiction has always played a seminal part in developing and expanding the Shadowrun universe,â€ said Weisman, CEO and Creative Director of Harebrained Schemes, â€œFrom short fiction in sourcebooks to full-length novels to epub novellas; nothing works as well to immerse a player into the Sixth World.â€

As part of Shadowrun Returnâ€™s Kickstarter project, Harebrained Schemes promised a fiction anthology to several tiers of backers. Catalyst Game Labs is managing the creation of the full-color, hardcover 8.5â€ x 11â€ deluxe anthology. They will work directly with Jordan for Shadowrun Returns ideas, work with the authors to craft their stories, create the layout and oversee the publication.

â€œWeâ€™re exceedingly pleased that Harebrained Schemes chose us to help make this project a reality,â€ said Randall N. Bills, Managing Developer for Catalyst Game Labs. â€œWhenever Jordan calls, you know itâ€™s going to be a brilliant project. Working closely with him and the rest of the Harebrained Schemes crew to publish such a great tome of original Shadowrun fiction will result in a product thatâ€™s going to be fantastic from start to finish.â€

Some of the extremely talented authors filling this volumeâ€™s pages include Jordan Weisman, Michael Stackpole, Tom Dowd, Loren L. Coleman, Jason Hardy, Jennifer Brozek, and Russell Zimmerman. Managing Editor John Helfers, who brings a wealth of both anthology and publishing experience to this project, is working closely with Jordan to ensure his vision of this anthology remains true to both Shadowrun and Shadowrun Returns.

Check out http://harebrained-schemes.com/ to learn more about Shadowrun Returns and go to www.shadowrun.com to join the community!

Catalyst Game Labs

â€¨Catalyst Game Labs is dedicated to producing high-quality games and fiction that mesh sophisticated game mechanics with dynamic universes, all presented in a form that allows beginning players and long-time veterans to easily jump into our games, while helping fiction readers enjoy our stories even if they donâ€™t know the games.

Catalyst Game Labs is an imprint of InMediaRes Productions, LLC, which specializes in electronic publishing of professional fiction. This allows Catalyst to participate in a synergy that melds printed gaming material and fiction with all the benefits of electronic interfaces and online communities, creating a whole-package experience for any type of player or reader. Find Catalyst Game Labs online at www.catalystgamelabs.com.

Harebrained Schemes

Harebrained Schemes is a small group of wildly talented people, crammed into a closet, making whatever cool thing inspires them next. The Harebrained team is a combination of seasoned veterans and fresh talent, and is led by serial entrepreneur Jordan Weismanâ€”founder of FASA, Virtual World Entertainment, FASA Interactive, Wizkids, 42 Entertainment, Smith & Tinker, and creator of BattleTech / MechWarrior, Shadowrun, and Crimson Skies. Their first title, Crimson: Steam Pirates, was one of Appleâ€™s Benchmark Games of 2011 and one of Metacritic.comâ€™s Best iPhone Games of 2011. Their next title, Strikefleet Omega, was named one of Google Playâ€™s Best Games of 2012. In April 2012, Harebrained Schemes made headlines when it launched one of the first 7 figure Kickstarter campaigns to fund Shadowrun Returns, which now appears on five â€œMost Anticipated Games of 2013â€ lists.