Jagex, the developer studio behind the long-lasting and still successful MMORPG Runescape, is currently working on another online role-playing game. It is to be a next-gen MMORPG. One thing is already clear: It is to become very accessible.
Jagex has actually not had good experiences developing new games beyond Runescape. Stellar Dawn and Transformers Universe were both discontinued. Additionally, Runescape players reacted angrily to Jagex “neglecting” their game to focus on other projects.
As Jagex’s CEO Phil Mansell explains, the company is now well-positioned regarding Runescape. Recently, they even reached the highest number of simultaneous active players in eight years.
A new MMORPG
Nevertheless, Jagex must also look to the future and is currently working on two new games. They are going to try again. One title is meant to be a smaller online game, but the other is a next-gen MMORPG. What exactly that means is currently the big question. Phil Mansell explains the plan a little, without revealing much:
- The new game should be accessible but also very profound
- He compares the title to the early days of Runescape. Back then, players could quickly get into the game and enjoy successes
- Phil Mansell sees the fact that MMORPGs are not talked about as intensively nowadays as an advantage
- MMORPGs can be very accessible and less daunting nowadays
- Phil Mansell perceives developments regarding MMORPGs as very good
- Modern MMOs offer a great online experience without being complicated
- The new MMORPG is intended to be similarly structured, providing an accessible player experience and a lively game world, benefiting from what Jagex has learned through Runescape over the past 17 years
This all sounds like it is still in a very early development phase for the new MMORPG. Thus, it is still not clear when we will learn more about it or get to see anything. It will be interesting to see how the fans of Runescape react to this project.
A new armor in Runescape recently had to be redesigned due to fan complaints.
