Revitalized Multiplayer Experience: Rediscovering the Hidden Gem of Xbox 360 Gaming in 2007

In response to feedback from fans, Xbox has resolved the issues with the multiplayer servers for the lesser-known Xbox 360 game, Shadowrun, released in 2007. Since the launch of the Xbox Series X/S, Xbox has remained committed to preserving the authenticity of backward-compatible titles, and this commitment extends to Shadowrun.

Released by Harebrained Schemes in 2007, Shadowrun offered a unique online-only experience, which was relatively rare at the time. Inspired by a tabletop series of the same name, Shadowrun allowed players to choose from four playable races - Human, Dwarf, Elf, and Troll - each with their own special advantages in the unconventional FPS setting. Due to its reliance on a persistent internet connection for matches against real players, this Xbox 360 game has faded into the background as the Shadowrun series returned to its RPG origins.

Resetera user Wwm0nkey claims that the matchmaking in the Shadowrun multiplayer has been successfully fixed by the Xbox "Mod Squad" team. According to Wwm0nkey, the matchmaking worsened after Microsoft made adjustments to the Call of Duty games, leading numerous Shadowrun fans to reach out to the Xbox support team. Previously relying on a peer-to-peer system, Shadowrun enthusiasts can now enjoy a greatly improved matchmaking experience, as attested by Wwm0nkey. It is worth noting that the Shadowrun FPS Discord server, which boasts a dedicated membership of over 2,000 individuals, played a crucial role in keeping the game alive prior to this significant overhaul.

Interested gamers may want to consider giving Shadowrun a try, as it is currently available for $9.99 on the Microsoft Store. This game can be downloaded on both PC and Xbox Series X/S, making it compatible with modern hardware. Despite some concerns about access during the peer-to-peer years, the Xbox 360 version of Shadowrun has maintained an impressive nearly five-star rating on the marketplace. Previously, it took up to 30 seconds for a game of Shadowrun to load, but with the recent online fix, matchmaking now only takes a few moments.

In addition to the backward-compatible Xbox 360 version of Shadowrun, Series X/S owners also have the opportunity to explore the series further with Shadowrun Returns, Shadowrun Dragonfall, and Shadowrun Hong Kong. Similar adjustments in the past have resulted in a surge of players for games like Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 and Modern Warfare 3, so it is possible that Shadowrun may experience a similar increase in player count. Microsoft's efforts to improve matchmaking for this 16-year-old game may pave the way for other backward-compatible Xbox titles to become more playable and regain their lost connectivity.

Shadowrun is available now for PC and Xbox 360.

Source: Video Games Chronicle